Is That a Gall Wasp? Now You Can Find Out
A new key to Cynipoidea, a superfamily of at least 3,000 species of wasps, published in the journal Insect Systematics and Diversity, promises to open up new avenues for research on and management of gall wasps and their relatives.
Tracking the Invasion: New Technique Traces Spotted Lanternflies for Life
A tracing technique involving a stable nitrogen isotope gives scientists a new window into the life cycle of the invasive spotted lanternfly.
Rednecked Peanutworm: New Guide Examines Management Options for Peanut Pest
The rednecked peanutworm is the main lepidopteran pest in South and Central American peanut fields. A new profile in the open-access Journal of Integrated Pest Management shares biology, management options, and new research needed for the pest species.
How Graduate Students Can Advocate for a Healthier Academic Culture
In entomology and other STEM fields, graduate students face a demanding academic work culture that can become toxic in its "productivity at all costs" mentality. Here's how graduate students can advocate a healthier academic culture at their institutions.
Open Entomology: Tips and Tools for Better Reproducibility in Your Research
Practicing open-science methods makes your research more transparent and reproducible, and it can make your own work easier, too. Check out these tips for incorporating open-science tools into your work, and see some examples in the new Open Entomology articles in the Journal of Insect Science.
How a Molecular Biologist Found Her Way to Insect Science
Meet Priyanka Mittapelly, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate at USDA-APHIS, expert in molecular biology and plant-insect interactions, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Insects, DNA, and Pathogen Extracts Available to Borrow From NEON Biorepository
The Biorepository created by the National Ecological Observatory Network program is a treasure trove for entomologists and others interested in insects, arthropods, and vector-borne diseases. Learn more about what's available and how it could enhance your research.
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.
IPM Lessons From the Quest to Contain New Zealand’s Worst Vertebrate Pest
A new case study in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management examines management of the brushtail possum, a major vertebrate pest in New Zealand, and the IPM lessons to be learned from those efforts.
Building a Better Bee Trap: Researchers Say Bee Bowls Are Overused
In a look at the state of bee monitoring in the U.S., a group of researchers argue the commonly used bowl trap presents too many drawbacks to effectively study bee abundance and diversity.
High Adaptability Allows Invasive Fruit Fly to Thrive in New Environments
For the invasive fruit fly known as spotted wing drosophila, its success in expanding into new ranges is driven at least in part by a high degree of phenotypic plasticity—the ability to shift traits in response to environmental influences.
Advanced Mass Spectrometry Method Could Give Forensic Entomologists Faster Fly IDs
Identifying the species of blow flies that colonize a corpse is a critical step in forensic entomology investigations, but it typically requires rearing collected fly larvae to adults first. However, a new "real time" method for conducting mass spectrometry could allow maggot specimens to be analyzed and identified in a matter of minutes—even up to six species at a time from the same sample.
Cattle Fever Ticks: Outbreaks Driven by Unique Landscape, Exotic Antelope
In South Texas, the unique landscape of the coastal plain and the presence of nilgai, an antelope species native to India, combine to drive a recent cattle fever tick resurgence.
What It’s Like to Be a Graduate Student in Entomology
Know someone who is studying to be an entomologist? From the lab to the field, to the conference to the classroom, here's a glimpse into the life of an entomology graduate student. Or: If you're an entomology student yourself, share this article to give family and friends a look into your chosen pursuit.
“Go Pick Up a Mite!” Two Cents From an Acarologist and His Love for Mites
Meet Ray Fisher, Ph.D., postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arkansas, expert in mite systematics, avid naturalist, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Here We Go Again: Another Invasive Pest in Florida Citrus
The mealybug species Nipaecoccus viridis, known as the lebbeck mealybug, is originally from Asia and was first found in Florida back in 2009, but in late 2018 it was found infesting citrus groves in the state. The author of a new report in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management discusses the implications of its arrival and the management options that are currently available and under evaluation.
Amazing Insects ›
Photographing Insects in the Field: Know Your Equipment
Two experienced insect macrophotographers share their tips for both entomologists and photography enthusiasts alike on how to select the right equipment to take great photos of insects and other arthropods in their natural settings.
Photographing Insects in the Field: Basic Tips for Success
Two experienced insect macrophotographers share their tips for both entomologists and photography enthusiasts alike to take better pictures of insects and other arthropods in their natural settings.
When a Mosquito Can’t Stop Drinking Blood, the Result Isn’t Pretty
An entomologist studying the biology of mosquito blood-feeding finds that a mosquito with a severed ventral nerve cord can't sense when it is full, and it will keep on feeding well beyond what its body can hold. Video captured by the researcher illustrates the results.
Study Details Mechanics of Flea Beetles’ Big Jumps
The tribe of leaf beetles known for their incredible jumping strength use a powerful catapult-like mechanism to spring away from looming predators. A team of Chinese and U.S. scientists illustrate the biomechanics of these beetles' jumps in a new study and say the findings could hold lessons for bio-inspired robotics.
Science Policy and Outreach ›
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.
Filming Insects in 4K: A Look Inside KQED’s Deep Look Video Series
On the award-winning web video series Deep Look, producers at San Francisco PBS affiliate KQED use macro cinematography and video microscopy to bring insects and other tiny things to life.
Research News ›
Tracking the Invasion: New Technique Traces Spotted Lanternflies for Life
A tracing technique involving a stable nitrogen isotope gives scientists a new window into the life cycle of the invasive spotted lanternfly.
Rednecked Peanutworm: New Guide Examines Management Options for Peanut Pest
The rednecked peanutworm is the main lepidopteran pest in South and Central American peanut fields. A new profile in the open-access Journal of Integrated Pest Management shares biology, management options, and new research needed for the pest species.
Open Entomology: Tips and Tools for Better Reproducibility in Your Research
Practicing open-science methods makes your research more transparent and reproducible, and it can make your own work easier, too. Check out these tips for incorporating open-science tools into your work, and see some examples in the new Open Entomology articles in the Journal of Insect Science.
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.
The Entomology Profession ›
How Graduate Students Can Advocate for a Healthier Academic Culture
In entomology and other STEM fields, graduate students face a demanding academic work culture that can become toxic in its "productivity at all costs" mentality. Here's how graduate students can advocate a healthier academic culture at their institutions.
Open Entomology: Tips and Tools for Better Reproducibility in Your Research
Practicing open-science methods makes your research more transparent and reproducible, and it can make your own work easier, too. Check out these tips for incorporating open-science tools into your work, and see some examples in the new Open Entomology articles in the Journal of Insect Science.
How a Molecular Biologist Found Her Way to Insect Science
Meet Priyanka Mittapelly, Ph.D., postdoctoral research associate at USDA-APHIS, expert in molecular biology and plant-insect interactions, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Insects, DNA, and Pathogen Extracts Available to Borrow From NEON Biorepository
The Biorepository created by the National Ecological Observatory Network program is a treasure trove for entomologists and others interested in insects, arthropods, and vector-borne diseases. Learn more about what's available and how it could enhance your research.
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How Graduate Students Can Advocate for a Healthier Academic Culture
In entomology and other STEM fields, graduate students face a demanding academic work culture that can become toxic in its “productivity at all costs” mentality. Here’s how graduate students can advocate a healthier academic culture at their institutions.
IPM Lessons From the Quest to Contain New Zealand’s Worst Vertebrate Pest
A new case study in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management examines management of the brushtail possum, a major vertebrate pest in New Zealand, and the IPM lessons to be learned from those efforts.
During Quarantine, an Entomologist Takes a Closer Look at a New Invasive Ant Species
An entomologist in quarantine learns more about an invasive ant species in his own backyard, and how to capture it on film.
“Go Pick Up a Mite!” Two Cents From an Acarologist and His Love for Mites
Meet Ray Fisher, Ph.D., postdoctoral researcher at the University of Arkansas, expert in mite systematics, avid naturalist, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
There’s an App for That! Digital Image Analysis Counts Flies
ImageJ, an open-source image processing program from the National Institutes of Health, enables quick, accurate counts of small arthropods for vector surveillance, say researchers at the University of Illinois.
Significant Reduction in Tick Bites Found via Permethrin-Treated Clothing
A two-year randomized control field trial among outdoor workers showed permethrin-treated clothing reduced the incidence of bites from blacklegged ticks, the primary vectors of Lyme disease, by as much as 65 percent.
Here We Go Again: Another Invasive Pest in Florida Citrus
The mealybug species Nipaecoccus viridis, known as the lebbeck mealybug, is originally from Asia and was first found in Florida back in 2009, but in late 2018 it was found infesting citrus groves in the state. The author of a new report in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management discusses the implications of its arrival and the management options that are currently available and under evaluation.
Why Forensic Entomologists Say Crime-Scene Investigators Should Carry Cans of Tuna
When fly larvae are collected from a corpse at a crime scene, they still need to eat so they can be raised to adulthood and identified to species. A new study says a simple can of tuna could be an easy and cost-effective solution for keeping the larvae alive until a forensic entomologist can conduct analysis.
How One Aspiring Scientist is Following in Her Father’s Footsteps
Suchitra Dara got an early look at a career in science while helping out in her father's entomology lab during her K-12 years. Now the soon-to-be college student reflects on how that experience shaped her future aspirations and says hands-on science experiences could guide more young students along the path to STEM careers.