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 One Entomologist Looks to Fossil Ants to Answer Big Biology Questions
Meet Phillip Barden, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, an expert in fossil ant species and the evolutionary lessons they teach us, and subject of the next edition of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
How a Team of Grad Students Built a Mobile App for Entomologists
LeafByte is a free, open-source mobile app for quickly measuring leaf damage caused by herbivorous insect pests. If you've ever considered building a mobile app to aid in your research, here's a first-hand account from the Cornell entomology student who took LeafByte from idea to action.
A Look at the Science of Insect Conservation
As human-driven changes to ecosystems drive insect declines on both local and perhaps global scales, entomologists and ecologists are hard at work building the research-based foundations necessary for managed insect-conservation efforts.
15 Ways to Advocate for Entomology at the Local and State Level
National issues get the lion's share of attention, but local and state policy is just as important to citizens within any given community. Here are 15 tips for entomologists looking to advocate for their science in their own communities.
Entomology Students: Do You Maintain Healthy Work-Life Balance?
Our own well-being is not something that many entomology graduate students sit and think about, but it goes hand-in-hand with our scientific careers. Promoting our own well-being is an element of self-care. When we care for ourselves, we make time for activities that are necessary for complete health and wellness—emotionally, mentally, intellectually, and physically.
How to Advocate for Entomology by Writing an Op-Ed
The op-ed traces its roots to the guest columns opposite the editorial page, but such opinion essays are still important advocacy tools in the post-newspaper era. For entomologists who want to speak up for their science, here's a quick guide to writing an op-ed and getting it published.
Early Detection, Collaboration Key to Invasive Fruit Fly Eradication in Florida
The largest-ever outbreak of the invasive oriental fruit fly in Florida in 2015 was successfully quelled through a six-month eradication program that combined outreach, control, science, technology, and regulation.
Collection of Frozen Beetles Passes 20,000 Vials
The University of Florida's Forest Entomology Lab hosts the world's largest cryo-collection of bark and ambrosia beetles. Stored at –80 degrees Celsius, the samples are critical for study of the beetles' DNA and fungal symbionts, as well as for identification of beetle outbreaks in forests.
A Little Bit of Spit and a Whole Lot of Patience: What It Takes to Produce a Butterfly Field Guide
Sebastián Mena of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama collected and photographed 120 butterfly species for a guidebook he co-authored about Panama’s Pipeline Road Trail. Find out what Mena says goes into researching, writing, and designing an insect field guide.
Beat the Heat: Maximizing Summer Productivity
For entomology graduate students, summer is not the same break from school and work that it was in their undergraduate days. Field work, experiments, research, and writing all fill up the schedule. Here are some tips from a fellow student on making the most of the summer season.
How an “Accidental Entomologist” Connects Disparate Fields to Study Insect Ecology
Meet Manu Saunders, Ph.D., postdoctoral research fellow at the University of New England, Australia, expert in insect community ecology and ecosystem services, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Communication is Power: Here’s How Entomologists Can Use It
A group of entomologists urge their colleagues and the academic community at large to invest—both time and money—in professional communication to expand the impact of their science.
Researchers Share New Method for Detecting Insect Egg Predators
A proof-of-concept study shows insect eggs can be marked with protein that can be later detected in a gut-content analysis of arthropod predators that fed on the eggs. Researchers say the method has applications in biological control and beyond.
Spectroscopy Opens Potential for Ultra-Early Pest Detection in Crops
Researchers at Purdue University are developing new ways to apply spectroscopy in service of greater food security. By analyzing light reflected by plants, they can detect compounds the plants produce soon after they face an insect pest attack or other stressor.