Don’t Get Too Attached: New Research on Grace Period for Tick-Borne Spotted Fevers
A recent study finds that Rocky Mountain spotted fever may be transmitted almost immediately following a bite by an infected American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) with little or no grace period—a stark contrast to what researchers have thought for almost a century.
Study Sheds Light on Spotted Lanternfly’s Life History in North America
Invasive spotted lanternfly threatens numerous crops and trees in North America. A new paper may help pest managers control it.
“Candy” Scales Discovered in Dozens of Moth Species
A new Journal of Insect Science study provides insights into moth and butterfly communication and scale development.
Fungus Could Help Control Emerald Ash Borer
A recent study shows that male emerald ash borers infected with a deadly fungus readily transmit the fungus when mating, opening doors for future biological control efforts.
Could Insects Be Used to Feed Pets and Other Animals?
A recent review article from the Annals of the ESA provides an overview of what we know about insects as food and feed.
Study Finds Bigger Mosquitoes in Baltimore Neighborhoods with More Abandoned Buildings
A recent study found that female Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are larger in neighborhoods with more abandoned buildings—and larger mosquitoes are more likely to survive and breed.
From “Gross” to “Green”: How Insects Can Become a Popular Food Source
A recent study from the Annals of the ESA shows that children may be more open to the possibility of eating insects than adults, creating opportunities for entomophagy education.
Don’t Poop Where You Eat: Bee Defecation on Flowers May Explain Disease Transmission
In a recent study, flower shape played a role in defecation patterns for common eastern bumble bees (Bombus impatiens). Researchers say this could reveal a disease transmission route affecting bee populations.
Study: More IPM Knowledge Could Help Leafy Amaranth Farmers in East Africa
Leafy amaranth contributes to farmers’ livelihoods and food security in East Africa. A new study points to a need for training in integrated pest management to help these farmers better manage insect pests.
Spotted-Wing Drosophila: New Seasonal Activity Model Will Aid IPM Efforts
Seven years' worth of trapping data for the invasive spotted-wing drosophila in Michigan offer an enhanced view of the pest's seasonal activity and abundance patterns, a boon for fruit growers and integrated pest management pros in temperate regions.
Biological Control for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Where Do We Stand?
A new report in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management shows that a beetle species released into the wild as a natural enemy of the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid appears to be successfully establishing in urban environments in addition to forest settings.
Spotted Lanternfly: Large Potential Range in U.S. and Beyond
A new study published today in the Journal of Economic Entomology models potential suitable habitat for the invasive spotted lanternfly and shows large swaths of the United States and beyond are likely to be vulnerable should the spotted lanternfly continue to spread.
How Ticks Hide in Plain Sight From Predatory Fire Ants
Though tick populations tend to decrease in areas where predatory ants are present, a new study reveals that it's not because the ants prey on the ticks. In fact, predatory ants such as fire ants ignore ticks completely.
Large-Scale Study Points to Simpler Trap for Monitoring Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
Tested in more than 100 locations across the U.S., a clear sticky-panel trap proves effective in attracting brown marmorated stink bugs, putting an easier-to-use tool in the hands of growers and IPM professionals for monitoring populations of the invasive pest.
Did Two Florida Populations of Conehead Termites Arise From a Single Colonization Event?
Native to Central and South America, the conehead termite has been found in just two places in the United States: Dania Beach and Pompano Beach, Florida. A new genetic analysis of these two populations suggests they arose from a single invasion.
It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s an Ecological Field Study!
In a recent study in Germany, targeted delivery of insecticides by unmanned aerial vehicles was effective against oak processionary moths. Researchers say such drones are suitable for aerial spraying during field studies and may open new doors for "precision forestry."