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Tag: environmental entomology

Lymantria dispar larvae killed by Entomophaga maimaiga fungus

Meet the Fungus That Slows the Spread of an Invasive Moth

One of the best tools for forest entomologists to manage outbreaks of the moth Lymantria dispar is a fungus, native to Japan, that was discovered in the U.S. in 1989. Entomophaga maimaiga can be spread via soil containing its spores or infected L. dispar larvae.

Vosnesensky bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)

New Study Revisits 2013 Pesticide Bee Kill in Oregon

In June 2013, a pesticide application on ornamental trees in a shopping-center parking lot in Wilsonville, Oregon, led to the largest documented mass fatality of bumble bees in North America. A new analysis of the incident estimates more than 100,000 bees from nearly 600 colonies were killed, which researchers cite as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pesticides to native bee populations.

solar farm pollinator habitat

Pollinator Conservation on Solar Farms: The Entomology Perspective

Amid the steady growth of solar energy production in the United States, pollinator conservation at solar installations has become an appealing secondary pursuit, but the long-term success of such efforts remains to be seen. In a new article published today in the journal Environmental Entomology, a group of entomologists say pairing solar energy with pollinator habitat offers great promise, but scientific evaluation and meaningful standards will be key to making it a true win-win combination.