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.
Meeting Friends and Colleagues: Networking at the Entomological Society of America Meeting
Networking can be the most valuable aspect of a scientific meeting. ESA’s Student Affairs Committee has networking tips to share.
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.
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.
In a Cannibalistic Society, It’s Not About Survival—It’s All About Recycling
In honor of Halloween, Entomology Today takes a look at zombie ants, cannibalistic termites, and other spooky insect science.
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.
Athlete to Professor: How One Entomologist Discovered His Interest in Bugs, Education, and Service
The creator of the “Relax. I’m an Entomologist” Facebook page, Jacob Bova, discusses how he got hooked on insect science.
Study Finds Bigger Mosquitoes in Baltimore Neighborhoods with More Abandoned Buildings
A recent study found that female Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are larger in neighborhoods with more abandoned buildings—and larger mosquitoes are more likely to survive and breed.
From “Gross” to “Green”: How Insects Can Become a Popular Food Source
A recent study from the Annals of the ESA shows that children may be more open to the possibility of eating insects than adults, creating opportunities for entomophagy education.
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.
Don’t Poop Where You Eat: Bee Defecation on Flowers May Explain Disease Transmission
In a recent study, flower shape played a role in defecation patterns for common eastern bumble bees (Bombus impatiens). Researchers say this could reveal a disease transmission route affecting bee populations.
Study: More IPM Knowledge Could Help Leafy Amaranth Farmers in East Africa
Leafy amaranth contributes to farmers’ livelihoods and food security in East Africa. A new study points to a need for training in integrated pest management to help these farmers better manage insect pests.
Entomology on Screen: Q&A With the Directors of ‘The Love Bugs’
The documentary film about entomologists Charlie and Lois O'Brien, who donated their 1.25 million-specimen insect collection to Arizona State University in 2017, will be screened for attendees at Entomology 2019 in November. The film's directors spoke with Entomology Today about the documentary, the messages it shares, and what they learned about entomology along the way.
Spotted-Wing Drosophila: New Seasonal Activity Model Will Aid IPM Efforts
Seven years' worth of trapping data for the invasive spotted-wing drosophila in Michigan offer an enhanced view of the pest's seasonal activity and abundance patterns, a boon for fruit growers and integrated pest management pros in temperate regions.
Biological Control for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Where Do We Stand?
A new report in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management shows that a beetle species released into the wild as a natural enemy of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid appears to be successfully establishing in urban environments in addition to forest settings.
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 ›
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.
Watch the Four Finalist Videos in the 2019 YouTube Your Entomology Contest
Check out the four finalist videos in the Entomological Society of America's 2019 YouTube Your Entomology Contest. Winner, runner-up, and honorable mentions will be announced at Entomology 2019.
How to Host a Congressional Visit at Your Entomological Research Facility
Seeing is believing, and showing your legislators your science in an interactive, hands-on setting can inform them about how their decisions affect the systems and organisms entomologists care so much about.
Research News ›
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.
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.
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.
The Entomology Profession ›
Athlete to Professor: How One Entomologist Discovered His Interest in Bugs, Education, and Service
The creator of the “Relax. I’m an Entomologist” Facebook page, Jacob Bova, discusses how he got hooked on insect science.
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.
Entomology on Screen: Q&A With the Directors of ‘The Love Bugs’
The documentary film about entomologists Charlie and Lois O'Brien, who donated their 1.25 million-specimen insect collection to Arizona State University in 2017, will be screened for attendees at Entomology 2019 in November. The film's directors spoke with Entomology Today about the documentary, the messages it shares, and what they learned about entomology along the way.
How to Find the Right Mentor for Your Entomology Career
At every career stage, we need mentors to help us improve our personal and professional skillsets and provide insights on areas such as research, teaching, time management, writing, and more. Entomology Ph.D. candidate Jocelyn Holt shares tips on how to find, identify, and begin a working relationship with a career mentor.
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Large-Scale Study Points to Simpler Trap for Monitoring Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
Tested in more than 100 locations across the U.S., a clear sticky-panel trap proves effective in attracting brown marmorated stink bugs, putting an easier-to-use tool in the hands of growers and IPM professionals for monitoring populations of the invasive pest.
Fatal Attraction: A Novel Solution to the Problem of Asian Citrus Psyllid on Residential Citrus
In many areas where the Asian citrus psyllid spreads citrus greening disease to commercial groves, it can evade control efforts by infesting residential citrus trees. A new attract-and-kill device, however, is being evaluated for managing psyllids on citrus in residential areas.
Don’t Poop Where You Eat: Bee Defecation on Flowers May Explain Disease Transmission
In a recent study, flower shape played a role in defecation patterns for common eastern bumble bees (Bombus impatiens). Researchers say this could reveal a disease transmission route affecting bee populations.
Watch the Four Finalist Videos in the 2019 YouTube Your Entomology Contest
Check out the four finalist videos in the Entomological Society of America's 2019 YouTube Your Entomology Contest. Winner, runner-up, and honorable mentions will be announced at Entomology 2019.
Soil Ecology: Critical But Understudied in the Fight Against Ticks
In many tick species, more than three-quarters of their lives are spent off-host in the soil or among the leaf litter. A research team at Cornell University highlights an important opportunity for tick researchers and soil ecologists to collaborate to better understand what happens when the ticks aren't in contact with hosts.
Did Two Florida Populations of Conehead Termites Arise From a Single Colonization Event?
Native to Central and South America, the conehead termite has been found in just two places in the United States: Dania Beach and Pompano Beach, Florida. A new genetic analysis of these two populations suggests they arose from a single invasion.
Impact of Invasive Japanese Barberry Cascades Through Local Food Webs
Dense thickets of invasive Japanese barberry significantly reduce the diversity and numbers of insects and arthropods in forests, according to new research. The ripple effects can extend upward throughout local ecosystems, even affecting human health via an increased presence of Lyme disease.
Biological Control for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Where Do We Stand?
A new report in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management shows that a beetle species released into the wild as a natural enemy of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid appears to be successfully establishing in urban environments in addition to forest settings.
Spotted Lanternfly: Large Potential Range in U.S. and Beyond
A new study published today in the Journal of Economic Entomology models potential suitable habitat for the invasive spotted lanternfly and shows large swaths of the United States and beyond are likely to be vulnerable should the spotted lanternfly continue to spread.