Anatomy of a Great Entomological Research Poster
What makes a great research poster? Authors of past winning posters at Entomological Society of America meetings recommend good storytelling, succinct wording, appealing visuals, and a simple presentation overall—great advice for entomology students and professionals alike as they prepare their posters for Entomology 2018.
Team Develops New Protocol for Embedding Insects in Resin
Insect and arthropod specimens set in clear resin are a valuable tool for teaching entomology both in the classroom and in public outreach. A team at Texas A&M University has developed an efficient, cost-effective process for resin casting and shares the instructions with the entomological community.
Award Opportunities Abound for Students in Entomology
For an entomology student, earning an award from the Entomological Society of America can be a source of encouragement, an opportunity to gain name recognition, and a chance to meet new colleagues and role models at ESA meetings. One past student award winner shares her experience and advice.
Bodycams Can Make for Better Agricultural Pest Management, Too
In a new study at the University of Arizona, researchers used body-mounted cameras to evaluate the efficiency of two insect pest sampling techniques—a sweepnet and a vacuum—in a cotton field. The perspective offered new insights into how such methods can be evaluated and could help growers and integrated pest management professionals further fine-tune their sampling techniques.
Fruit DNA in Invasive Flies’ Guts Could Help Track Their Dispersal
A recent study at North Carolina State University shows that DNA analysis of spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) flies can detect whether they fed on strawberries as much as seven days prior. Researchers hope the proof of concept will lead to more accurate analysis of the invasive pest's dispersal in the field.
10 Tips for a Winning Entomology Conference Presentation
Every year, students and professionals in entomology present their research at the Entomological Society of America's Annual Meeting. It's a chance to share the latest updates from their work with an audience of fellow experts in insect science, and, with a little preparation, it doesn't have to be a nerve-racking experience.
How an “Insect Ecologist at Heart” Got Focused on Pest Management Research
Lauren Diepenbrock, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University and soon to be an assistant professor at the University of Florida, says she enjoys "figuring out how insects, particularly invasive species, make use of the available resources to be successful."
A Day in the Life of an Urban Insect Ecologist
Meet Sarah Parsons, urban insect ecologist and Ph.D. candidate at NC State University. Parsons offers a glimpse into her work studying the mechanisms that drive urban ecosystems.
Young Entomologist’s Project on Display at ESA Branch Meeting
Chloe Weingarten, 13, a budding entomologist from Rochester, Minnesota, presented her poster titled "Bee-searching for a solution: using an antifeedant to conserve bees" at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America's North Central Branch in March.
How One Entomologist Puts His Creative Side to Work
Edwin "Ted" R. Burgess, Ph.D., an entomologist at Northern Illinois University, says his favorite aspect of his entomological research is that it encourages creativity to solve difficult problems.
How Scratch-Off Cards Can Boost Learning in Entomology Extension
Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique scratch-off cards offer a low-tech (and low-budget) option for evaluation of participant knowledge and learning in entomology extension programs.
Curious Wasp Specimen Leads Entomologist to Find a First
When Michael Skvarla, Ph.D., joined Penn State University's entomology extension program in 2017, it wasn't long before he had a mystery on his hands: A wasp specimen from an infestation of a residence that appeared to be of a genus not previously known to invade homes in North America.
Naming a Bug After a Droid: The Case of Kaytuesso flavolateralis
A newly described genus of true bug from Papua New Guinea has been dubbed "Kaytuesso," so named for a perceived resemblance to K-2SO, a droid character from the movie "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."
The Many Facets of Collaboration in Entomological Research, and Beyond
At a symposium at Entomology 2017 on "The Power of Cooperation," organized by the ESA Student Affairs Committee, speakers ranging from seasoned professors to postdoctoral researchers to graduate students shared their experiences in developing and maintaining fruitful scientific collaborations.
Insect Common Names, as Invented by Artificial Intelligence
What would happen if you asked a machine to come up with new common names for insects? A scientist and her neural network find out.
When Educating About Insects, Instructional Video Can Help
Extension entomologists at Texas A&M have used short instructional videos to supplement face-to-face education sessions for growers on integrated pest management, and analysis of their use shows the videos are improving learning outcomes.