From Butterflies to Billbugs: How One Student Found Her Way to Entomology
Meet Marian Rodriguez-Soto, master’s student in entomology at Purdue University researching turfgrass pest management, Puerto Rico native, and subject of a new “Student Spotlight” feature on Entomology Today.
How Blow Flies Compete (or Not) for Decomposition Duties
Forensic entomologists are familiar with a variety of blow fly species and the order in which they commonly arrive to a corpse. A new study illuminates the differences among three blow fly species and what drives the timing of their arrival and how they interact.
Fear No Weevil: Entomologists Say Cone Traps Better Protect Palm Trees
Digital video data—more than 20,000 hours' worth—reveals why cone traps are more effective than bucket traps in capturing palm weevils.
How One Entomologist Avoided Elephants and Bears to Develop a Multidisciplinary Approach to Bee Protection
Meet Priyadarshini Chakrabarti Basu, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University, bee expert, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Amazing Insects ›
These Beetles Withstand Cyanide Blasts to Eat Millipedes
Flat-backed millipedes that defend themselves with cyanide have a fearsome foe in Promecognathus beetles, which are unfazed by the potent poison. A new study shows the beetles have evolved a unique tolerance for cyanide—rather than avoidance behavior or some other countermeasure—but the underlying mechanism remains unclear.
Limb Regeneration in Lady Beetles: Product of Selection or Developmental Byproduct?
Researchers studying the ability of several lady beetle species to regrow detached limbs during their pupal stage say the trait may be linked to genes that offer survival advantages when activated, but more research is needed.
Little Organisms, Big World: Insect Gut Bacteria Partnerships
A recent review in the open-access Journal of Insect Science shines a light on the diversity of host-symbiont relationships among holometabolous insects.
The Curious Case of the Spiders in the Ant-Acacia Mutualisms
Deep in the Panamanian rain forest, researchers document two species of orb-weaver spiders that have inserted themselves into the typically two-way relationship between certain ant colonies and the acacia plants they live in.
Science Policy and Outreach ›
Tick Surveillance and Control Lagging in U.S., Study Shows
The first-ever survey of the nation's tick-management programs reveals an inconsistent and often under-supported patchwork of programs across the country.
Learning at Home With Bugs
Stuck at home with kids because of COVID-19? Check out this list of suggestions from bug experts about what you can do to keep kids engaged and learning.
Building a Web of Connection: Spiders, Citizens, and Scientists
A look at a citizen-science effort to track an elusive purseweb spider in Pennsylvania offers lessons for entomologists on how to harness the power of citizen volunteers for research projects.
Fantastic Bugs and Where to Find Them (Hint: Chicago)
Entomologist Ryan Gott returns with another insect-attraction review, this time on the "Fantastic Bug Encounters!" exhibit at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, which showcases the diversity of arthropods, the mysteries of their habits, and their ingenious adaptations.
Research News ›
Fear No Weevil: Entomologists Say Cone Traps Better Protect Palm Trees
Digital video data—more than 20,000 hours' worth—reveals why cone traps are more effective than bucket traps in capturing palm weevils.
Salt-Based Mosquito-Control Products Aren’t Worth Their Salt, Study Finds
Products claiming to reduce mosquito populations with salt-water solutions are ineffective, according to a new study. In a series of lab tests using nine mosquito species, a team of expert mosquito researchers found no evidence that adult mosquitoes are killed by salt ingested at concentrations used in several popular mosquito-control products. The findings are reported in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
A Fast, Frassy Way to Detect the Asian Longhorned Beetle
Researchers in Italy have developed a rapid method for detection of the Asian longhorned beetle, an invasive pest in Europe and North America, using a DNA-detection technique known as loop-mediated isothermal amplification.
Pea Aphid in Pulse Crops: New Guide Outlines IPM Options
In the United States, the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) has a broad host range and is a serious concern for commercial pulse producers, especially in the Pacific Northwest region. A new guide in the open-access Journal of Integrated Pest Management examines pea aphid biology and ecology, as well as various management practices.
The Entomology Profession ›
How One Entomologist Avoided Elephants and Bears to Develop a Multidisciplinary Approach to Bee Protection
Meet Priyadarshini Chakrabarti Basu, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University, bee expert, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Bark Beetle Identification: There’s an App for That, Too
Researchers at the University of Florida and the USDA-ARS have created a mobile app for bark beetle identification, allowing users to either play a beetle ID game or browse through the bewildering diversity of morphologies in the world of bark beetles.
How Off-Campus Students Can Increase Their Network
Entomology students’ work often places them at university branch campuses, where they might feel isolated or miss out on interactions on the main campus. Here, find some tips for off-campus students to increase their networks—which may also be useful for all students during the COVID-19 era.
How One Entomologist Stands Tall in Her Adopted Country
Meet Angelita (Angel) Acebes-Doria, Ph.D., entomology professor at the University of Georgia, Philippines native, and subject of the next installment of our Standout Early Career Professionals series. In a Q&A, Acebes discusses building a career in a foreign country, managing imposter syndrome, and adapting her research program in the era of COVID.
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How Mitochondrial DNA Offers Clues to Giant Hornets’ Invasion
When scientists discovered specimens of the invasive giant hornet Vespa mandarinia on both sides of the border between Washington and British Columbia in 2019, they sought to find out how they arrived from Asia. Analysis of their mitochondrial DNA provided an interesting twist: The hornets on each side of the border likely did not come from the same location in Asia.
Study Shows Mosquitoes Can Still Spread Malaria After Long-Distance Flights
Last year, groundbreaking research showed Anopheles mosquitoes can ride high-altitude winds to spread far and wide. A new study published in July confirms that, after such flights, the mosquitoes remain healthy and capable of transmitting the pathogen that causes malaria.
The Bugs and the Bees: A Guide to Entomology Outreach, Even During a Pandemic
Entomology graduate students can be important champions for insect science in the public realm. Here's a beginner's guide to engaging audiences both young and old in insect education, even during our current era of social distancing.
Research Examines Potential of Alternate Host Plant as a Trap Crop for Asian Citrus Psyllid
The Asian citrus psyllid is a major insect pest of citrus cultivars and vectors the bacteria that causes citrus greening disease. Recent research on a newly identified alternate host plant for Asian citrus psyllid examines the plant's potential as a trap crop for use in management of the pest.
List of Known Host Plants Grows for Spotted Lanternfly
Two researchers compile existing research and additional observations to update the list of potential host plants for the invasive spotted lanternfly, bringing the worldwide total of plants the insect will feed on to 103—of which 56 are present in North America.
Watch the Four Finalist Videos in the 2020 YouTube Your Entomology Contest
Check out the four finalist videos in the Entomological Society of America's 2020 YouTube Your Entomology Contest. Final results will be announced in October and acknowledged during Entomology 2020.
What’s the Best Method to Monitor Wild Bees?
A researcher in Australia sets out to evaluate the various methods for monitoring wild bees and finds that the sweep net outpaces other methods in both the number of bees and number of species collected.
Little Organisms, Big World: Insect Gut Bacteria Partnerships
A recent review in the open-access Journal of Insect Science shines a light on the diversity of host-symbiont relationships among holometabolous insects.
Digging Deep: The Secrets Within Termite Nests
A researcher studying termites' digging techniques says that understanding individual roles in collective activities can shine a light on the evolution of such behavior and how social insects perform simple tasks to ultimately construct complex structures.