How Do We Know Which Invasive Plant Pests Will Be the Next Big Threats?
Entomologists and plant-protection experts around the world share knowledge through a variety of online early warning systems. Learn about these important information exchanges in a new guide in the open-access Journal of Integrated Pest Management.
Pollinator Conservation on Solar Farms: The Entomology Perspective
Amid the steady growth of solar energy production in the United States, pollinator conservation at solar installations has become an appealing secondary pursuit, but the long-term success of such efforts remains to be seen. In a new article published today in the journal Environmental Entomology, a group of entomologists say pairing solar energy with pollinator habitat offers great promise, but scientific evaluation and meaningful standards will be key to making it a true win-win combination.
Field Borders Provide Winter Refuge for Beneficial Predators and Parasitoids
In a study on organic farms, researchers in Illinois find that field borders with a mix of grasses and flowering plants provide important winter habitat for arthropods that like to eat or parasitize crop pests, allowing these natural enemies to get an early start on emerging pests in the spring.
What’s That Beetle? Ask the Algorithm
Can machine learning be used for accurate species identification of beetles and other invertebrates? Researchers using carabid beetle data from the National Ecological Observatory Network created an algorithm that reached 85 percent accuracy on unidentified images. Eventually, they hope machine learning could one day be used to classify unidentified species in NEON bycatch and answer new questions about invertebrate diversity and abundance across North America.
Amazing Insects ›
Brood’s Clues: New Mapping Approach Puts Cicadas in Focus
More than 20 broods of periodical cicadas inhabit the eastern United States, and researchers are refining their mapping of brood ranges with increasing precision at every new emergence. A new report in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America details new advances in mapping cicadas from researchers who studied Brood VI in 2000 and 2017.
Got Cicadas? Take a Picture and Help Entomologists Map Their Arrival
Scientists are looking to the public for help in mapping 17-year cicadas in the massive Brood X due to emerge from the ground this spring in the eastern U.S. The citizen-science effort, powered by a smartphone app, could generate the biggest-ever observation data set in the history of cicada research. Here's how you can participate.
Flexible Reproduction ‘Mite’ Explain Invasion Success
Spider mites may adapt to uncertain environments by successfully inbreeding and by adjusting reproductive resources, a new study shows. The findings may help entomologists better understand and manage invasions by other haplodiploid arthropods.
Funeral or Feast: How Termites Manage Their Dead
In a colony of eastern subterranean termites, as many as 70,000 termites may die every day. Dealing with all those corpses is critical to colony health, and a new study reveals how the primary methods for termite undertakers—burying corpses or eating them—vary by caste.
Science Policy and Outreach ›
Got Cicadas? Take a Picture and Help Entomologists Map Their Arrival
Scientists are looking to the public for help in mapping 17-year cicadas in the massive Brood X due to emerge from the ground this spring in the eastern U.S. The citizen-science effort, powered by a smartphone app, could generate the biggest-ever observation data set in the history of cicada research. Here's how you can participate.
Planting a Tree? Choose a Native Species and Save Some Insects
Every invasive tree in the United States was intentionally introduced, and these plants often out-compete native plants while negatively affecting insects and other animals that depend on native species. You can do your part to help insects and protect local ecosystems by choosing native plants in your landscaping plans.
From the Bench to a Broader Impact: Traveling a Non-Traditional Path for Science to Benefit the World
Meet entomologist Shavonn R. Whiten, Ph.D., who translated her academic experience in vector-borne disease management into a career in public policy and international development. Learn what it takes to turn scientific training into real-world capacity building—and how Whiten made the leap.
Frantic About Residential Tick Management? This Film Series is Just for You
Tick researchers in Connecticut turn their eye toward their local community with an educational film series about backyard tick management. Learn how the project came together and why it could be a useful model for other entomology-outreach efforts.
Research News ›
Pollinator Conservation on Solar Farms: The Entomology Perspective
Amid the steady growth of solar energy production in the United States, pollinator conservation at solar installations has become an appealing secondary pursuit, but the long-term success of such efforts remains to be seen. In a new article published today in the journal Environmental Entomology, a group of entomologists say pairing solar energy with pollinator habitat offers great promise, but scientific evaluation and meaningful standards will be key to making it a true win-win combination.
Field Borders Provide Winter Refuge for Beneficial Predators and Parasitoids
In a study on organic farms, researchers in Illinois find that field borders with a mix of grasses and flowering plants provide important winter habitat for arthropods that like to eat or parasitize crop pests, allowing these natural enemies to get an early start on emerging pests in the spring.
What’s That Beetle? Ask the Algorithm
Can machine learning be used for accurate species identification of beetles and other invertebrates? Researchers using carabid beetle data from the National Ecological Observatory Network created an algorithm that reached 85 percent accuracy on unidentified images. Eventually, they hope machine learning could one day be used to classify unidentified species in NEON bycatch and answer new questions about invertebrate diversity and abundance across North America.
Interagency Cooperation Drives Discovery of Lyme Disease Spirochete in Exotic Tick
Analysis of Asian longhorned ticks collected in Pennsylvania found just one—out of more than 250 tested—carrying the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The invasive tick is unlikely to play a role in Lyme transmission, but the research underscores the importance of active tick and pathogen surveillance and collaboration among agencies at local, state, and national levels.
The Entomology Profession ›
How Do We Know Which Invasive Plant Pests Will Be the Next Big Threats?
Entomologists and plant-protection experts around the world share knowledge through a variety of online early warning systems. Learn about these important information exchanges in a new guide in the open-access Journal of Integrated Pest Management.
What’s That Beetle? Ask the Algorithm
Can machine learning be used for accurate species identification of beetles and other invertebrates? Researchers using carabid beetle data from the National Ecological Observatory Network created an algorithm that reached 85 percent accuracy on unidentified images. Eventually, they hope machine learning could one day be used to classify unidentified species in NEON bycatch and answer new questions about invertebrate diversity and abundance across North America.
Interagency Cooperation Drives Discovery of Lyme Disease Spirochete in Exotic Tick
Analysis of Asian longhorned ticks collected in Pennsylvania found just one—out of more than 250 tested—carrying the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The invasive tick is unlikely to play a role in Lyme transmission, but the research underscores the importance of active tick and pathogen surveillance and collaboration among agencies at local, state, and national levels.
Job Talks: How Entomology Students, Postdocs Can Prepare
The in-depth presentation that's part of many academic job interviews comes with a unique set of opportunities and challenges. Here's some advice for building skills and experience to ace your next job talk.
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This Old Bee House: Study Deems Hive Boxes Drafty, Inefficient
The classic wooden hive box used by beekeepers worldwide, first designed in the 1800s, is prone to temperature swings, a new study shows. That’s bad news for the honey bees inside, who must expend energy to maintain their favored internal hive temperature.
Got Cicadas? Take a Picture and Help Entomologists Map Their Arrival
Scientists are looking to the public for help in mapping 17-year cicadas in the massive Brood X due to emerge from the ground this spring in the eastern U.S. The citizen-science effort, powered by a smartphone app, could generate the biggest-ever observation data set in the history of cicada research. Here's how you can participate.
Exciting But Dreadful: New Invasive Forest Pest Arrives in South Carolina
The Asian longhorned beetle, a federally regulated invasive woodboring pest, was recently discovered in South Carolina—hundreds of miles from the nearest known infestation. Federal and state officials are working hard to try to eradicate this pest, and there are many research questions and opportunities associated with this infestation.
In Search for Effective Cockroach Lures, Apple and Blueberry Come Out on Top
Monitoring for cockroach infestations in homes and buildings is hindered by a lack of effective and practical attractants, but researchers at Rutgers University say a mix of extracts from apple and blueberry has proven highly effective in lab and field settings and could lead to more successful cockroach integrated pest management programs.
Mosquito Forecasting: How Phenology Data is Powering New Advances
A partnership between the National Ecological Observatory Network and the National Phenology Network makes deep troves of ecological and phenological data available for a variety of uses, including predicting populations and dynamics of insects such as mosquitoes.
Building a Better Grasshopper Trap: New Design Offers Safer, More Efficient Harvest
In Uganda and neighboring African nations, wild grasshoppers are a delicacy and are commonly harvested for their use as food. A team of researchers has designed a new trap that improves on the traditional model by reducing nontarget bycatch, energy consumption, and use of hazardous materials.
Field Entomologist to Industry Rep: One Entomologist’s Unique Journey to Working With Growers
Meet John Aigner, Ph.D., product development project manager for Nichino America, Inc., crop-protection advisor, world traveler, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Brood’s Clues: New Mapping Approach Puts Cicadas in Focus
More than 20 broods of periodical cicadas inhabit the eastern United States, and researchers are refining their mapping of brood ranges with increasing precision at every new emergence. A new report in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America details new advances in mapping cicadas from researchers who studied Brood VI in 2000 and 2017.
New Method Makes for Faster Genetic ID of Eastern U.S. Termites
With multiple species of termites responsible for structural damage in the U.S., rapid identification is a critical part of management efforts. A team of researchers has developed a faster ID method that uses a genetic tool called inter-simple sequence repeats.