Showing posts with label Entomology Today. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entomology Today. Show all posts

Friday, 23 October 2026

Fighting Parasite With Parasite: A Promising Tool in the Battle Against New World Screwworm

A small black wasp with golden brown legs inserts a thin tube extending from the rear of its abdomen into a larger fly larva. The larva is cream colored and segmented, with bands of fine speckled brown dots. The scene is pictured in front of a white background.

This post Fighting Parasite With Parasite: A Promising Tool in the Battle Against New World Screwworm appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

As New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) has re-emerged in the United States, entomologists are researching new methods for eradicating it. A recent study finds the parasitoid wasp Tachinaephagus zealandicus to be a promising candidate for targeting the screwworm via biological control. [Read more]

The post Fighting Parasite With Parasite: A Promising Tool in the Battle Against New World Screwworm appeared first on Entomology Today.



Tuesday, 20 October 2026

‘Hidden’ Invasive Thrips Found in California Garden Stores

A small white five-petaled flower with a few small, narrow, brown insects on its petals.

This post ‘Hidden’ Invasive Thrips Found in California Garden Stores appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

Researchers surveying southern California garden stores discovered the invasive Thrips parvispinus hiding on ornamental plants, showing the pest may be more widespread than previously reported and highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring to prevent its further spread. [Read more]

The post ‘Hidden’ Invasive Thrips Found in California Garden Stores appeared first on Entomology Today.



Friday, 16 October 2026

Study Busts Myth of Ornamental Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

A mosquito resting on a green plant leaf.

This post Study Busts Myth of Ornamental Plants That Repel Mosquitoes appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

Several ornamental plants commonly claimed to be mosquito-repellent don't actually keep mosquitoes away under real-world conditions, a new study shows. Researchers say people should rely on proven contact and spatial repellents for protection and removing standing water to reduce local mosquito abundance. [Read more]

The post Study Busts Myth of Ornamental Plants That Repel Mosquitoes appeared first on Entomology Today.



Thursday, 15 October 2026

Supporting Monarch Migration Through Conservation Action

A monarch butterfly with orange and black patterned wings rests on a cluster of small pink milkweed flowers.

This post Supporting Monarch Migration Through Conservation Action appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

Sponsored article: Learn how creating pollinator habitats in local communities and at home helps support conservation efforts. Syngenta partners with Monarch Joint Venture to support efforts to protect and enhance pollinator habitat across North America. [Read more]

The post Supporting Monarch Migration Through Conservation Action appeared first on Entomology Today.



Wednesday, 14 October 2026

Putting Weeds to Work: A Circular Agriculture Solution for Insect Farming

A house cricket on brown soil. The cricket is very light brown with dark eyes and dark brown stripes on its head and thorax, while its wings and abdomen are topped with dappled gray.

This post Putting Weeds to Work: A Circular Agriculture Solution for Insect Farming appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

Researchers are exploring how to turn weeds into feed for farmed insects, creating protein for food and livestock feed while producing natural fertilizer. A new review suggests a circular agriculture model could cut waste, boost farm income, and improve sustainability. [Read more]

The post Putting Weeds to Work: A Circular Agriculture Solution for Insect Farming appeared first on Entomology Today.



Friday, 9 October 2026

New Respirometry Method Could Expand Studies of Insect Thermal Biology

A composite image showing insect respirometry monitoring equipment, including sensor plates with small vials containing insects, a single vial with a bug, and a connected control box.

This post New Respirometry Method Could Expand Studies of Insect Thermal Biology appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

A new high-throughput respiration-measuring system lets scientists monitor up to 240 insects and other invertebrates at once, making it far easier to study insects' resting metabolic rates and how they respond to temperature and climate change. [Read more]

The post New Respirometry Method Could Expand Studies of Insect Thermal Biology appeared first on Entomology Today.



Wednesday, 7 October 2026

Tractor-Mounted Vacuum Shows Potential as New Tool for Field Crop Pest Removal

A tractor equipped with a specialized vacuum attachment for pest management drives through a field in front of a modern building.

This post Tractor-Mounted Vacuum Shows Potential as New Tool for Field Crop Pest Removal appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

A tractor-mounted vacuum successfully removed many crop-damaging insects in field tests, offering farmers a promising, pesticide-free option for pest management. Researchers are now refining the system to better target pests while avoiding beneficial insects. [Read more]

The post Tractor-Mounted Vacuum Shows Potential as New Tool for Field Crop Pest Removal appeared first on Entomology Today.



Friday, 2 October 2026

A Cross-Border Problem: Modeling New World Screwworm’s South American Range

A close-up image of a metallic blue and green fly with large red eyes and iridescent wings against a solid black background.

This post A Cross-Border Problem: Modeling New World Screwworm’s South American Range appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

A new study across South America finds New World screwworm flies thrive in warm, moist regions and may persist through wildlife reservoirs. Researchers raise concerns about surveillance gaps and the need for coordinated cross-border action to protect animal and human health. [Read more]

The post A Cross-Border Problem: Modeling New World Screwworm’s South American Range appeared first on Entomology Today.



Wednesday, 30 September 2026

Reading the Rainbow: Butterfly Color Signals Combine UV, Visible Light

Four images of butterflies are shown. On the left, are dorsal (top) and ventral (bottom) views of Delias microsticha; on the right are dorsal and ventral views of Delias bothwelli. In each image, left wings appear as viewed under visible light, and right wings under ultraviolet (UV) light.

This post Reading the Rainbow: Butterfly Color Signals Combine UV, Visible Light appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

A new study explores the patterns of pigmentation and wing scale structure in Delias butterflies that reflect both visible colors and ultraviolet light. Researchers say the classical palette of warning coloration may contain colors that humans have been overlooking all along. [Read more]

The post Reading the Rainbow: Butterfly Color Signals Combine UV, Visible Light appeared first on Entomology Today.



Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Deep Work in the Wild: Making the Most of Station Life

A wooden house is partially visible behind tall pine trees at the edge of a green field. The sky is clear, and the moon is rising above the treetops in the background.

This post Deep Work in the Wild: Making the Most of Station Life appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

For entomology students, life does not always take place amid a crowded campus and busy hallways. One entomology graduate student shares how working and living at a remote research station has shaped her academic experience and career journey. [Read more]

The post Deep Work in the Wild: Making the Most of Station Life appeared first on Entomology Today.



Friday, 25 September 2026

Monday, 21 September 2026

Scientists Report Continuing Harms to U.S. Science in Second-Year Survey

Horizontal bar chart titled "Which of the following impacts of federal and state policies since January 20, 2025, have directly affected you or your research?" Data shown: Uncertainty about the future: 78% Increased stress and anxiety: 75% Chilling effect on free speech: 51% Funding freezes: 47% Cuts to the federal workforce: 48% Budget cuts: 54% Changes to DEI policies: 41% Hiring freezes: 33% Cuts or threats of cuts to indirect costs: 31% Concerns about human rights violations: 28% Effects on international research and funding: 29% Deletion of public data: 23% Restrictions on research: 29% Cancelation of solicitation: 25% Cancelation of awarded grant: 16% Cancelation of training program or internship: 14% Threat to visa status: 10% Other: 7% No negative impact to me or my research: 6% Visa revocation: 2%

This post Scientists Report Continuing Harms to U.S. Science in Second-Year Survey appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

For a second year, a survey of nearly 1,000 scientists across a variety of life sciences details how federal government policies have created ongoing disruptions to American research and to the scientific workforce. Four out of five say federal policies since 2025 have caused an "extremely negative impact" or "irreparable harm" on their field of science. [Read more]

The post Scientists Report Continuing Harms to U.S. Science in Second-Year Survey appeared first on Entomology Today.



Friday, 18 September 2026

Arthropods Lag Far Behind Other Animals in Conservation Assessment and Protection, Study Shows

This post Arthropods Lag Far Behind Other Animals in Conservation Assessment and Protection, Study Shows appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

Most U.S. insects and arachnids remain unassessed for conservation risk, and even many known at-risk species lack legal protection. Only 2.5% of at-risk insects and arachnids have nationwide protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, compared to 27.7% of at-risk birds, for instance. A study quantifying this lag in arthropod conservation reveals a major blind spot in efforts to save vulnerable wildlife. [Read more]

The post Arthropods Lag Far Behind Other Animals in Conservation Assessment and Protection, Study Shows appeared first on Entomology Today.



Wednesday, 9 September 2026

Neurodiversity in Entomology: Finding Ourselves Among the Creepy-Crawlies

A person wearing a wide-brimmed hat and white T-shirt stands in a green field, with blue sky and scattered clouds in the background. The person is holding a cup in one hand and holding up the other hand with a butterfly perched on their knuckle. Just in front of the person is a small brown flag on a white pole.

This post Neurodiversity in Entomology: Finding Ourselves Among the Creepy-Crawlies appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

A growing number of neurodivergent scientists are drawn to entomology, but many face barriers in education and research. One student argues that better support and inclusion could unlock talent, strengthen science, and broaden perspectives in the field. [Read more]

The post Neurodiversity in Entomology: Finding Ourselves Among the Creepy-Crawlies appeared first on Entomology Today.



Tuesday, 1 September 2026

How an IPM Lecture Started One Entomologist’s Career in Extension

A man wearing a University of Georgia shirt attaches a label to a potted plant in a laboratory setting. Various small containers, tools, and a red tray are on the table beside him.

This post How an IPM Lecture Started One Entomologist’s Career in Extension appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

Meet Jermaine Perier, Ph.D., professor and extension entomologist at Mississippi State University, expert in integrated pest management in vegetables, small fruit, and pecans, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series. [Read more]

The post How an IPM Lecture Started One Entomologist’s Career in Extension appeared first on Entomology Today.



Thursday, 20 August 2026

Tubular Trap Effective in Protecting Honey Bee Hives From Yellow-Legged Hornets

Two wooden honey bee hive boxes with metal lids are placed side by side on grass, with wire mesh tubing placed horizontally across the front bottom of the boxes. This tubing leads to two vertical mesh tubes on the ends, which have brown mesh extensions at the top.

This post Tubular Trap Effective in Protecting Honey Bee Hives From Yellow-Legged Hornets appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

A simple tubular trap placed in front of honey bee hives cut yellow-legged hornet attacks by about fivefold in Spanish field tests, helping bees forage normally while capturing the invasive predator and limiting impact on nontarget species. [Read more]

The post Tubular Trap Effective in Protecting Honey Bee Hives From Yellow-Legged Hornets appeared first on Entomology Today.



Tuesday, 18 August 2026

When Bugs Aren’t the Problem: Understanding Delusional Infestation

A close-up photo showing the detailed texture and fine lines of human skin.

This post When Bugs Aren’t the Problem: Understanding Delusional Infestation appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

A study examining a decade of delusional infestation cases finds many sufferers endure years of distressing sensations despite no true infestation, highlighting the need for compassionate, coordinated care that addresses both medical and psychiatric factors. Learn more about delusional infestation and how entomologists can help. [Read more]

The post When Bugs Aren’t the Problem: Understanding Delusional Infestation appeared first on Entomology Today.



Friday, 14 August 2026

Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Bad Blood: Drug-Spiked Bloodmeal Effective for Eliminating Female Mosquitoes

A close-up of a mosquito with a red abdomen feeding on human skin, illustrating the moment when mosquitoes draw blood. A small droplet of blood is visible at the tip of the mosquito’s abdomen, and the background is a blurred green.

This post Bad Blood: Drug-Spiked Bloodmeal Effective for Eliminating Female Mosquitoes appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

To use the sterile insect technique against mosquitoes, females must be removed from the lab-raised populations before release. A new study shows that female mosquitoes' taste for blood can be used against them by lacing a bloodmeal with insecticide, significantly accelerating the sex-separation process before sterile males can be released. [Read more]

The post Bad Blood: Drug-Spiked Bloodmeal Effective for Eliminating Female Mosquitoes appeared first on Entomology Today.



Tuesday, 4 August 2026

Meet Thrips parvispinus: The Tiny Thrips Becoming a Big Problem

Two close-up images of small insects, identified as Thrips parvispinus, with elongated bodies, segmented legs, and antennae, shown on a green plant surface; left insect is darker, right insect is paler. Both have red eyes. Scale bars read 0.1 mm.

This post Meet Thrips parvispinus: The Tiny Thrips Becoming a Big Problem appeared first on Entomology Today - Brought to you by the Entomological Society of America.

An invasive species of thrips that recently arrived in the United States is a major concern for growers of vegetables and ornamental plants. A new guide in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management summarizes current knowledge about Thrips parvispinus, including host range, life history, distribution, and management challenges. [Read more]

The post Meet Thrips parvispinus: The Tiny Thrips Becoming a Big Problem appeared first on Entomology Today.