More Than Wheat to Eat: New Zealand’s Wheat Bug Has a Taste for Brassicas, Too
The wheat bug Nysius huttoni is a significant pest of wheat and cereal crops as well as a variety of brassica plants, and it is widely distributed in New Zealand. In a new profile in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management, two New Zealand researchers offer guidance on IPM practices for managing the wheat bug while minimizing potential nontarget impacts.
Hungry, Hungry Hawaiian Caterpillar: Program Aims to Restore the Endemic Kamehameha Butterfly
The Kamehameha butterfly, once widespread across its native Hawai'i, has been displaced by human incursion to its habitat. The Hawai'i Invertebrate Program is on a mission to bring the butterfly and its host plants back to their former glory.
Advanced Morphology Techniques Reveal Tobacco Hornworm’s Secrets
Though studied for decades as a model organism, the tobacco hornworm's lack of silk production has never been thoroughly researched, until now. A team of researchers combining high-tech microscopic imaging with genomic techniques have captured in new detail the caterpillar's first instar silk-producing anatomy and subsequent loss of that capability as it molts to later instars.
Notes From Puerto Rico: Quakes Increase Risk for Mosquito-Borne Disease Outbreak
Grayson Brown, Ph.D., executive director of the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit and a past president of the Entomological Society of America, reports that conditions in Puerto Rico are ripe for a potential dengue outbreak, as recent earthquakes have driven residents out of their homes, increasing their exposure to mosquitoes. The PRVCU is working with ESA and other organizations to quickly procure approximately 5,000 bed nets to help protect residents from mosquitoes.
Rising Temperatures Could Stunt Growth, Threaten Survival of Common Damselfly
In the wetlands of the southern plains of the United States, the damselfly Enallagma civile thrives, but a new study shows rising temperatures could affect the growth, development, and survival of the species in the region.
Some Infected Mosquitoes Found to Be Less Responsive to Repellents
A new meta-analysis points to opportunities for future research to improve the effectiveness of mosquito repellents.
From Spain to Champaign: How One Entomologist Switched Countries and Study Organisms
An early-career entomologist shares advice on staying inspired while changing study organisms—and continents—for postdoctoral work.
How to Enhance Communication and Make Your Research More Accessible
To get your research to those who need it most, get outside of the research paper box.
Wild Pollinators Get the Job Done
Wild pollinators have the potential to play a bigger part in pollinating specialty crops, according to a new study.
Battling Bed Bugs and German Cockroaches Requires Cooperation and Continuous Integrated Pest Management Efforts
A new paper shows the benefits of building-wide IPM for reducing indoor pests in low-income, multi-family housing.
People Matter: Why the Human Factor Is Essential for Successful Integrated Pest Management Programs
A new paper in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management highlights the importance of people in successful integrated pest management programs.
Some Pollinators Swipe Right on Annual Ornamental Flowers
Floral features and environmental context influence generalist pollinators’ attraction to annual ornamental plants, which could help balance the needs of humans and pollinators.
“Natural” Oil Mosquito Repellents May Fend Off Mosquitoes—Briefly
A recent Journal of Medical Entomology study investigates the ability of essential oils to repel mosquitoes.
Making the World a Better Place for Entomology: A Q&A with David Gammel
Outgoing ESA Executive Director David Gammel shares his thoughts about his time at ESA, his work as an executive director, and the field of entomology.
Electropenetrography Helps Researcher Break Down Mosquito Bites
A recent study used electropenetrography to quantify mosquito feeding behavior. The study’s lead author sees great potential for other insect scientists to apply this method in their own work.
Explore St. Louis: Things to See and Do in St. Louis During Entomology 2019
Information on where to eat, what to do, and how to get around in St. Louis during the ESA annual meeting.
Amazing Insects ›
Swarm Shift: How Locusts Switch Phases When Numbers Swell
After swarms of the South American locust Schistocerca cancellata reappeared in 2015 for the first time in 60 years, a study on what drives their swarm behavior finds the insects' population density acts as a trigger for a slew of biological and behavioral changes at the individual level.
You Can Thank Insects for Many Human Inventions
Even in this digital age, we continue to extract ideas and materials from insects and their relatives. However, the challenge of today may be to avoid a strictly utilitarian view of other organisms, whereby a species is expendable if it cannot demonstrate economic value that can be measured in dollars.
How a Honey Bee’s Waggle is Inspiring Aerospace Design
Engineers may recognize the internal muscle structure of a honey bee abdomen for its resemblance to a Stewart platform, a mechanical device that enables six degrees of freedom in movement. Researchers who have found its natural equivalent in bees say the discovery is already informing their work in designing articulating nose cones for rockets.
Yellowjackets: A Look at Opportunistic Raiders of Honey Bee Hives
Yellowjackets are nuisance predators of honey bees, preying on them and pillaging their honey. But bees fight back, and healthy hives are rarely at risk. Learn more about yellowjackets, their interactions with bees, and what sets yellowjackets apart from hornets and other fellow wasps.
Science Policy and Outreach ›
Advocacy in Action: A Symposium for Everyone Interested in Science Advocacy and Invasive Species
The ESA Student Affairs Committee’s symposium at Entomology 2019 will focus on addressing invasive species issues through collaboration, policy, and public engagement.
The Frost Museum’s Metamorphosis: Museum Reopens in Time for 50th Anniversary
Just in time for its 50th anniversary, the Frost Entomological Museum at Penn State has reopened to the public. The museum's curators hope to give visitors an appreciation for the value of natural history collections as well as insects.
What a Community in the Heartland Can Teach Us About Resistance Management
At the 2019 Science Policy Tour on collaborative approaches to resistance management, the Weed Science Society of America partnered with Entomological Society of America to share learnings from an Iowa demonstration project.
The Power of Infographics to Illuminate Insect Science
Done well, infographics are a useful tool for engaging audiences that the entomological community doesn't usually reach. Here are a few great examples of entomology infographics and some inspiration for creating your own.
Research News ›
Advanced Morphology Techniques Reveal Tobacco Hornworm’s Secrets
Though studied for decades as a model organism, the tobacco hornworm's lack of silk production has never been thoroughly researched, until now. A team of researchers combining high-tech microscopic imaging with genomic techniques have captured in new detail the caterpillar's first instar silk-producing anatomy and subsequent loss of that capability as it molts to later instars.
Rising Temperatures Could Stunt Growth, Threaten Survival of Common Damselfly
In the wetlands of the southern plains of the United States, the damselfly Enallagma civile thrives, but a new study shows rising temperatures could affect the growth, development, and survival of the species in the region.
CRISPR Cuts Through Layers of Butterfly Wing-Pattern Evolution
Researchers used CRISPR to cut out major wing patterning genes in Heliconius butterflies and discovered there's more than one pathway to rewind evolutionary time in butterfly co-mimics.
How Drones Can Use Multispectral Imagery to Fight Pests
A new study shows how stress to soybean crops caused by the soybean aphid can be detected remotely by drone-based multispectral imagery.
The Entomology Profession ›
Hungry, Hungry Hawaiian Caterpillar: Program Aims to Restore the Endemic Kamehameha Butterfly
The Kamehameha butterfly, once widespread across its native Hawai'i, has been displaced by human incursion to its habitat. The Hawai'i Invertebrate Program is on a mission to bring the butterfly and its host plants back to their former glory.
The Best of 2019 on Entomology Today
Entomology Today takes a look back at its most-read posts of 2019.
From Spain to Champaign: How One Entomologist Switched Countries and Study Organisms
An early-career entomologist shares advice on staying inspired while changing study organisms—and continents—for postdoctoral work.
How to Enhance Communication and Make Your Research More Accessible
To get your research to those who need it most, get outside of the research paper box.
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Hungry, Hungry Hawaiian Caterpillar: Program Aims to Restore the Endemic Kamehameha Butterfly
The Kamehameha butterfly, once widespread across its native Hawai’i, has been displaced by human incursion to its habitat. The Hawai’i Invertebrate Program is on a mission to bring the butterfly and its host plants back to their former glory.
Don’t Get Too Attached: New Research on Grace Period for Tick-Borne Spotted Fevers
A recent study finds that Rocky Mountain spotted fever may be transmitted almost immediately following a bite by an infected American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) with little or no grace period—a stark contrast to what researchers have thought for almost a century.
Fungus Could Help Control Emerald Ash Borer
A recent study shows that male emerald ash borers infected with a deadly fungus readily transmit the fungus when mating, opening doors for future biological control efforts.
People Matter: Why the Human Factor Is Essential for Successful Integrated Pest Management Programs
A new paper in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management highlights the importance of people in successful integrated pest management programs.
Study Sheds Light on Spotted Lanternfly’s Life History in North America
Invasive spotted lanternfly threatens numerous crops and trees in North America. A new paper may help pest managers control it.
“Candy” Scales Discovered in Dozens of Moth Species
A new Journal of Insect Science study provides insights into moth and butterfly communication and scale development.
“Natural” Oil Mosquito Repellents May Fend Off Mosquitoes—Briefly
A recent Journal of Medical Entomology study investigates the ability of essential oils to repel mosquitoes.
Could Insects Be Used to Feed Pets and Other Animals?
A recent review article from the Annals of the ESA provides an overview of what we know about insects as food and feed.
Making the World a Better Place for Entomology: A Q&A with David Gammel
Outgoing ESA Executive Director David Gammel shares his thoughts about his time at ESA, his work as an executive director, and the field of entomology.