Do Pollinators Prefer Dense Flower Patches? Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No
A study looking at floral density and pollinators finds that some types of pollinating insects prefer dense flower patches more than others, but that preference can also vary by flower species, too. The complicated findings offer clues to how multiple pollinator species co-exist and compete for floral resources.
The Unique Challenges of Responding to Desert Locust Outbreaks
The recent plague of desert locusts in Africa and the Middle East cost $1.3 billion in damage in 23 countries. A report from Pakistan describes the difficult logistical and social hurdles to adequately managing this fast-moving entomological threat.
Discussing Monarch Butterfly Status, Conservation, and Research With Bayer Scientists
Sponsored post: The monarch butterfly's status as an icon for pollinators and other beneficial insects is uncontested, but its population levels have been declining in recent decades. In this Q&A, scientists at Bayer share how their work in monarch butterfly conservation and pollinator protection reflects Bayer's commitment to sustainability and biodiversity.
From Trash to Treasure: How Bee Bycatch Can Advance Ecological Research, Collaborations
In many agricultural settings, insect pest traps can also attract bees. In a new report, a group of researchers examine ways to reduce bee bycatch in pest traps while also exploring how bee bycatch can aid in assessing bee biodiversity, population levels, range shifts, and more.
Amazing Insects ›
Where Giant Honey Bees Rest Their Wings During Annual Migration
A bee researcher describes the discovery of a "stopover" site in Thailand where Apis dorsata honey bee swarms gather to rest during their annual migration between highland and lowland nesting sites.
Back-Seat Driver: The Parasite That Makes Bees Drop Off Its Babies
An insect that specializes in parasitizing bees changes its host's behavior to visit flowers and curl its body to deposit the parasite's larvae. The apparent "mind control" is another example of the unique lives of strepsipterans, or twisted wing insects.
P.M. Pollinators: Study Shines Light on Nocturnal Insects’ Role in Apple Production
A study on apple pollination highlights the valuable role that moths and other nocturnal insects play in pollinating crops and other plants.
The 2021 Brood X Cicada Emergence: A Recap
When the world's largest brood of 17-year periodical cicadas rose from the ground in spring 2021, the eastern U.S. (and beyond) was ready. Half a million crowdsourced observations later, the entomologists who followed the Brood X 2021 emergence reflect on the experience.
Science Policy and Outreach ›
New Project Aims to Build Equity for Indigenous Scholars in Biological Sciences
Science societies including the Entomological Society of America are partnering on a new project funded by the National Science Foundation to address the underrepresentation of Native Americans in biological sciences.
Why Augmentative Biological Control Holds Promise for Advancing Agriculture in Developing Countries
Numerous examples show the success of augmentative biological control efforts. With adequate support and capacity building in place, the approach can be economical and make agricultural systems more sustainable and improve the human and institutional capacity of developing countries.
Entomology to the Masses: Meet the Winners of ESA’s Inaugural Science Communication Award
A grade-school curriculum using arthropods as a channel for social-emotional learning and a weekly, interactive entomology webcast earned honors in the Entomological Society of America's first annual award recognizing excellence in science communication.
The Promise—and Limits—of Bt Maize to Manage Fall Armyworm in Africa
As fall armyworm continues to threaten food security in Africa, the use of Bt maize offers significant potential to manage the pest. But it will be critical to manage resistance via multi-toxin crop varieties and appropriate use of refuge planting—all in forms accessible to the smallholder farmers that grow nearly all of Africa's maize.
Research News ›
Do Pollinators Prefer Dense Flower Patches? Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No
A study looking at floral density and pollinators finds that some types of pollinating insects prefer dense flower patches more than others, but that preference can also vary by flower species, too. The complicated findings offer clues to how multiple pollinator species co-exist and compete for floral resources.
The Unique Challenges of Responding to Desert Locust Outbreaks
The recent plague of desert locusts in Africa and the Middle East cost $1.3 billion in damage in 23 countries. A report from Pakistan describes the difficult logistical and social hurdles to adequately managing this fast-moving entomological threat.
From Trash to Treasure: How Bee Bycatch Can Advance Ecological Research, Collaborations
In many agricultural settings, insect pest traps can also attract bees. In a new report, a group of researchers examine ways to reduce bee bycatch in pest traps while also exploring how bee bycatch can aid in assessing bee biodiversity, population levels, range shifts, and more.
Where Giant Honey Bees Rest Their Wings During Annual Migration
A bee researcher describes the discovery of a "stopover" site in Thailand where Apis dorsata honey bee swarms gather to rest during their annual migration between highland and lowland nesting sites.
The Entomology Profession ›
The Best of 2021 on Entomology Today
Another year is in the books at Entomology Today. Take a look back at highlights from ESA's blog, social media channels, and journals in 2021.
Pursuing Jobs Beyond Academia: Tips From Entomologists in the Field
Entomology jobs in nonprofit, government, industry, and policy organizations are out there. For students and recent graduates looking to launch their careers, here's some advice from professionals in the field.
How One Entomologist is Exploring the Insect Diversity of Prairies
Meet Rebecca Prather, Ph.D., postdoctoral researcher at Florida State University, prairie ecologist, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Integrated Mosquito Management Protects People and Animals From Mosquitoes
Get to know the five core tactics to manage mosquitoes using an integrated approach, based on the American Mosquito Control Association's newly updated guide, Best Practices for Integrated Mosquito Management.
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Discussing Monarch Butterfly Status, Conservation, and Research With Bayer Scientists
Sponsored post: The monarch butterfly’s status as an icon for pollinators and other beneficial insects is uncontested, but its population levels have been declining in recent decades. In this Q&A, scientists at Bayer share how their work in monarch butterfly conservation and pollinator protection reflects Bayer’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity.
New Container Aids in Biocontrol of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Researchers deploying predator insects to attack an invasive forest pest need to monitor how well those predators' populations are growing. A new specially designed container speeds up that work by collecting and separating two different predator species at the same time.
From Burglars to Bugs: Anti-Theft Dye Shows Promise for Insect-Tracking Studies
A fluorescent dye designed for use as an anti-theft tool and aid in forensic criminal investigations also works well for marking insects in mark-release-recapture efforts, a new study shows.
Fine-Scale Mapping Could Make for Better-Targeted Tick Management
A new study finds tick-exposure risk can be mapped at a high level of precision using geographic information systems, which could allow tick-management measures to be more accurately targeted and more cost-effective for public-health efforts.
A Budding Problem: Managing Corn Earworm in Commercial Hemp Production
The corn earworm is an emerging pest of commercial hemp production throughout the U.S. Boring through stalks and feeding on reproductive structures, this pest presents several management challenges for hemp producers. While integrated pest management strategies for more traditional agricultural crops are established, much work is still needed to develop effective IPM for the corn earworm in hemp.
Clues in the Clay: Decoy Insect Larvae Reveal Predator Presence in Turfgrass
Researchers at the University of Georgia are studying how clay models of caterpillars and other insect larvae can attract predator insects and arthropods in turfgrass and reveal their presence by the marks they leave behind. Their latest study fine-tunes the method by evaluating the colors, shapes, and sizes of the decoys that work best.
Native American Heritage Month: Publications Showcase
Learn more about the work of several Native American entomologists, as we mark the close of National Native American Heritage Month.
Complexity Untangled: For Plant Defenses, Pest Attack Order Matters
A study on insect pests of pea plants finds which pest attacks first changes how the plant mounts defenses, how effective those defenses are, and the eventual nutritional quality of the plants.
From Mapping to Management: A Revision of Soybean Caterpillar Pest Information for U.S. Soybean
Lepidopteran pests of soybean are growing in importance in the U.S., and a pair of articles in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management provides updated guidance on biology, distribution, and management options for five leading caterpillar pests of soybean.