Why Empathy, Connection, and Confidence are Critical for Science Communication
Patricia Raun, director of The Center for Communicating Science at Virginia Tech, traces her path from professional actor to science communicator and offers entomologists advice on engaging with their communities.
Assay Array: Entomologists’ Lab Tests Expose Insect Secrets
Entomologists can find out a lot about an insect through some simple chemical reactions in a lab. A new review offers a guide to the wide variety of tests, or assays, that can be conducted to measure the fats, sugars, and other compounds in an insect's body—thereby revealing useful clues about how it stores and uses energy.
Why One Insect Toxicologist Aims to Explore the Unexplored
Meet Daniel Swale, Ph.D., assistant professor of entomology at Louisiana State University, whose research works to uncover novel biochemical targets in insects for potential application in pesticides. Swale is the subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
Gender Research in IPM: Women’s Empowerment as a Key to Unlocking Food Security
In developing countries, women make up 43 percent of the agricultural labor force, so incorporating women's input into the application of integrated pest management activities has major implications for IPM success. Ongoing research is aimed at improving equity and access in designing IPM programs.
To Boost IPM Adoption, Treat It as a Complex Social System
Pest management is more than just matching pests with control methods. A tangled web of societal influences also play a role in growers' decisions and their uptake of integrated pest management, and researchers say the science of "social ecological systems" can inform efforts to increase IPM adoption.
How Studying Sociality in Bees Shapes One Entomologist’s Role in Society
Meet Hollis Woodard, Ph.D., assistant professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside, expert in bumble bee sociality, passionate ambassador for public science outreach, and the subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
An Inside Look at How the Varroa Mite’s True Diet Was Discovered
Some researchers willing to question conventional wisdom, some crafty experimentation, and some high-tech microscopic imagery all add up to a discovery about the Varroa destructor mite that upends years of understanding about how it parasitizes honey bees.
An Entomologist’s Ode to Everyday Youth Outreach
A visit with family and some young cousins reminds one entomologist about why he first became interested in insects and why it's so important for scientists be ambassadors for the knowledge they have about the natural world.
Diversity and Inclusion in Entomology: Keeping People in the Pipeline
For the entomological profession to maximize inclusivity, leaders in the field must work to build welcoming environments for aspiring and early-career entomologists from all backgrounds. A symposium at the 2018 Joint Annual Meeting gathered perspectives on how entomologists can work to reduce bias and create safe workspaces.
Collaboration Brings Beetle Collection and Curation From Illinois to Cambodia
Backed by an international development grant, entomologist Tommy McElrath visited Phnom Penh to teach a three-week course on beetle collection and curation to students at the Cambodian Entomology Initiatives.
Organizing a Science Symposium: Don’t Be Intimidated!
So you want to organize a symposium for an upcoming ESA conference? Check out these ideas and tips for creating, organizing, and moderating a successful and well-balanced symposium.
How Insect Art Can Become Entomological Outreach
The inclusion of entomology in art, and vice versa, can reach new audiences and provide new insights for both fields.
The Best of 2018 on Entomology Today
A lot of entomology happened in 2018. Take a look back at some highlights from all the news and stories shared at Entomology Today.
Extension Unplugged: Communicating Entomology to Amish and Mennonite Communities in Pennsylvania
While members of Pennsylvania's Plain Communities eschew many modern technologies, they are eager to learn how to adapt today's entomological know-how to their own agricultural practices—and extension agents at Penn State University are happy to help.
Why Taxonomic Preparedness is Critical for Invasive Species Response
The story of "Team Trissolcus," insect taxonomists who sprang into action to identify the parasitoid wasps that might help us fight the invasive brown marmorated stink bug.
Entomology Outreach: Tips for Making an Impact and Sharing Your Science
What good are knowledge and discovery if the wider world doesn't understand? Entomologists can help people learn more about their own lives by teaching them about the insects around them. Here are some tips for doing public outreach right.