“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.
Lab Study Shows Asian Longhorned Tick Can Spread Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that the invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) can, at least under lab conditions, acquire and transmit the bacteria that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Gaga for Gum: Study Shows Sticky Mixture Distracts Fruit Fly Pest
A food-grade gum substance shows promise as a new tool for managing the invasive spotted-wing drosophila. The flies don't get stuck, but the scent interferes with their reproductive behavior, and the gum can last up to three weeks in the field.
Eastern Grape Leafhopper: Not a Picky Eater, But Only Has Eggs for Grapes
A new guide in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management profiles the eastern grape leafhopper and outlines a variety of IPM methods for managing the common pest of North American vineyards.
Bark Beetles With Identity Issues: Reclassifying the Cryphalini
A new paper provides the biggest bark beetle reclassification in decades and helps us better understand the incredibly diverse world of tiny bark beetles.
Big, Beautiful, and Confusing: Deciphering the True Hornets
A new key to the genus Vespa includes dozens of close-up photos to help users sort through and ID potential invasive species like the Asian giant hornet.
Study Shows Elevation Affects Fly’s Use as Natural Enemy of Invasive Weed
In Nepal, the gall-inducing eupatorium gall fly (Procecidochares utilis) is deployed as a biological control agent against the invasive weed Ageratina adenophora. A new study by researchers at Tribhuvan University and the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Integrated Pest Management shows size and abundance of galls induced by the fly are influenced by elevation, knowledge that can help in fine-tuning P. utilis-based biocontrol efforts.
Something New Every Day: What One Entomologist Likes Most About the Job
Meet Bernardo Santos, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, expert in the evolution of parasitic wasps, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
For an Understudied Ant Genus, Two Researchers Choose a “Bird Guide” ID Tool
The Rasopone genus of tropical leaf-litter ants gets a thorough taxonomic revision, and the researchers behind the long-term project present their identification manual in a "bird guide" format rather than the traditional dichotomous key.
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.
Making Great Scientific Figures: Tips for Entomology Students
Entomology students can take advantage of a number of resources to learn to create compelling scientific figures.
To Control Lekking Fruit Flies, Male Size Matters (Except When it Doesn’t)
A study of two significant pest fruit fly species finds that the size of males influences female mating choice in one of the species, but not in the other—important knowledge for fine-tuning management efforts for both species via the sterile insect technique.
Making a Case for Safer Ways to Fight Rice Pests in the Greater Mekong
A new report in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management shares the successes and lessons learned from an advanced biological control-based IPM program that is helping rice growers in China, Laos, and Myanmar manage pests in more environmentally and economically sustainable ways.
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.
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.
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 ›
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.
LivLyme Foundation Puts a Fresh Face on Lyme Disease
Meet Olivia Goodreau, the teenage founder of the LivLyme Foundation, creator of the TickTracker app, and public policy advocate for tick-borne disease legislation.
Research News ›
Lab Study Shows Asian Longhorned Tick Can Spread Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that the invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) can, at least under lab conditions, acquire and transmit the bacteria that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Gaga for Gum: Study Shows Sticky Mixture Distracts Fruit Fly Pest
A food-grade gum substance shows promise as a new tool for managing the invasive spotted-wing drosophila. The flies don't get stuck, but the scent interferes with their reproductive behavior, and the gum can last up to three weeks in the field.
Eastern Grape Leafhopper: Not a Picky Eater, But Only Has Eggs for Grapes
A new guide in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management profiles the eastern grape leafhopper and outlines a variety of IPM methods for managing the common pest of North American vineyards.
Bark Beetles With Identity Issues: Reclassifying the Cryphalini
A new paper provides the biggest bark beetle reclassification in decades and helps us better understand the incredibly diverse world of tiny bark beetles.
The Entomology Profession ›
“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.
Something New Every Day: What One Entomologist Likes Most About the Job
Meet Bernardo Santos, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, expert in the evolution of parasitic wasps, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
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.
Making Great Scientific Figures: Tips for Entomology Students
Entomology students can take advantage of a number of resources to learn to create compelling scientific figures.
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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.
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.
Rolled Cardboard Makes a Handy Insect-Sampling Tool
A group of researchers gets creative with some simple materials: strips of cardboard, rolled up and tied with string. Affixed to tree trunks or limbs, the "trunk refugia" show promise as a simple and inexpensive tool for sampling tree-dwelling insects and arthropods.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
How to Tackle an Invasive Species Crisis? Build a Collaborative Team
The arrival of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) drove a far-reaching, collaborative response by researchers, integrated pest management professionals, government agencies, and growers. A new article in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management looks back at this experience to share lessons learned for future invasive-species response efforts.
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.