Entomology Newsletter - December 2025

December 12, 2025

Science storytelling, a new addition to the animal diagnostic lab, frozen slugs, and more are in this newsletter edition. Awards have been granted, EGSA Graduate Presentations are recognized, and some publications in this newsletter from The Department of Entomology.

Faculty Spotlight: Kara Fikrig

November 13, 2025

Kara Fikrig is an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology who seeks to understand the crossroad of entomology and public health, and to better protect public health. She primarily studies mosquitoes and how the diseases they carry affect people.

Penn State’s College of Ag Sciences recognizes faculty for research impact

November 12, 2025

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences recognized exceptional achievements in research during its fourth annual Research Awards Ceremony held Oct. 28 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

Salty soil, scrappy bugs and shared ideas drive graduate student’s research

October 30, 2025

Penn State doctoral candidate Sahil Pawar studies how environmental stressors, primarily salty soil — a problem often overlooked in agriculture — affect the relationships between plants and insects.

Spotted lanternfly may use ‘toxic shield’ to fend off bird predators

October 27, 2025

Spotted lanternflies may season themselves to the distaste of potential bird predators, according to a new study led by entomologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Four researchers named Institute of Energy and the Environment Fellows

October 17, 2025

Four Penn State researchers have been selected as 2025 IEE Fellows for their efforts to significantly advance energy and environmental research.

Wild lupine genetics could be key to conservation of species

October 9, 2025

Penn State researchers studying declining populations of sundial lupines in the eastern part of the United States are closer to determining how an understanding of the plant genetics could be used to inform reseeding strategies to help with conservation efforts.

New microorganism survival commission aims to fill critical conservation gap

October 1, 2025

For the first time, the International Union for Conservation of Nature is formally including all microbial life in its framework by establishing a Microbial Conservation Specialist Group, which includes Seth Bordenstein, the director of Penn State’s One Health Microbiome Center, and will focus on the survival of species — even the smallest ones on the planet.

Organic beekeeping can be even more profitable than conventional methods

September 18, 2025

Organic beekeeping can support healthy and productive honey bee colonies, and a new study led by researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences found that adopting organic honey bee colony management is not only profitable, but in some cases, it can be even more profitable than conventional management.

Women scientists, love of nature inspire donor’s gift to the Ag Sciences

September 9, 2025

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and its Department of Entomology are benefiting from a $1.5 million gift from a donor who has chosen to remain anonymous. The gift, split into two parts, supports the creation of the Maria Sibylla Merian Endowed Faculty Position and the Rachel Carson Graduate Training Program.

Explore the wonderful world of insects at Penn State’s Great Insect Fair

September 8, 2025

Learn about the diverse world of insects at this year’s Great Insect Fair, the annual Penn State event that celebrates insects with a variety of activities, games, crafts and more.

Geography lecture to spotlight pollinator conservation and technology

August 29, 2025

Christina M. Grozinger, Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology at Penn State, will deliver a talk titled “Leveraging Technology to Conserve Pollinator Biodiversity” on Sept. 12 as part of the Penn State Department of Geography's Coffee Hour lecture series.

Penn State releases new guide on identifying bees in Pennsylvania

August 20, 2025

A new Penn State Extension publication, "Bees of Pennsylvania: A Guide to the Genera," is intended for those interested in learning to identify and learn about the diversity of over 440 bee species in Pennsylvania ecosystems.

Northern fowl mite treatment tested at Penn State receives FDA approval

August 14, 2025

A new way to treat poultry for fowl mites was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July, thanks in part to a team of researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Huck student receives U.S. National Science Foundation fellowship

July 28, 2025

Sophia Mucciolo, an ecology student affiliated with the Penn State Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, recently received a fellowship from the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. She was one of eight students from Penn State selected for the program this year.

A Mission to Automate Pest Monitoring

July 21, 2025

This is the eighth short news article written by students, during the professional development class of Spring 2025, about each other's research.

Gardening questions answered by Master Gardeners at Ag Progress Days

July 16, 2025

From identifying pests to improving plant health, Penn State Extension Master Gardeners will provide research-based gardening advice in the Yard and Garden Area during Ag Progress Days, Aug. 12-14.

Grace Tiwari, Invited Panelist at DialogueNEXT

July 14, 2025

On March 25, 2025, Grace Tiwari, a doctoral student pursuing Ph.D. in Entomology at Penn State University, participated as an invited panelist at the World Food Prize Foundation's DialogueNEXT conference, "A Root Awakening," held at the Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C.

What a bumble bee chooses to eat may not match ideal diet

July 2, 2025

Humans may not be the only species that struggles to eat the right amounts of the ideal foods. A new study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that what bumble bees choose to eat may not line up with their ideal nutritional needs.

Warmer spots within fields have more blooms and more bees

June 24, 2025

Climate can vary across large areas of land, but it also can vary within much smaller areas such as farms. A new study led by researchers at Penn State examined whether these microclimates affect pollination by both wild and managed bees and resulting wild blueberry yields.

How a genetic tug-of-war decides the fate of a honey bee

June 20, 2025

Despite having identical genetic instructions, female honey bee larvae can develop into either long-lived reproductive queens or short-lived sterile workers who help rear their sisters rather than laying their own eggs. Now, an interdisciplinary team led by researchers at Penn State has uncovered the molecular mechanisms that control how the conflict between genes inherited from the father and the mother determine the larva’s fate.

Uncovering How a Kind of Bacteria Can Be Used to Prevent the Spread of Deadly Human Diseases

May 22, 2025

This is the seventh short news article written by students, during the professional development class of Spring 2025, about each other's research.

VECTOR Library launches to strengthen response to vector-borne disease threats

May 15, 2025

As the United States observes Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May, public health and extension professionals across the country have a powerful new tool at their fingertips: the VECTOR Library, a centralized digital database of more than 1,400 educational materials on vector-borne diseases collected from the Cooperative Extension System across all U.S. states and territories.

Can Co-feeding of Two Tick Species on White-tailed Deer Reduce Lyme Disease?

May 12, 2025

This is the sixth short news article written by students, during the professional development class of Spring 2025, about each other's research.

The Hidden Lives of Solitary Bees: Uncovering Nature's Lesser-Known Pollinators

May 2, 2025

This is the fifth short news article written by students, during the professional development class of Spring 2025, about each other's research.

College of Agricultural Sciences graduate students receive awards

April 29, 2025

Graduate students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences were recognized for their accomplishments during the 2025 Graduate Student Award Celebration, hosted by the Office for Research and Graduate Education and held recently on the University Park campus.

Oh My Gourd! Nina Devine's Research on Squashing Pests and Drought

April 29, 2025

This is the fourth short news article written by students, during the professional development class of Spring 2025, about each other's research.

Grozinger appointed to National Academies committee on insect declines

April 24, 2025

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently appointed Christina Grozinger, Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology and director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State, to an 18-member study committee to examine the status of insects in North America.

Mouse Madness: Ticks Tussle for Liquid Lunch

April 24, 2025

This is the third short news article written by students, during the professional development class of Spring 2025, about each other's research.

Pollination: What's All the Buzz?

April 21, 2025

This is the second short news article written by students, during the professional development class of Spring 2025, about each other's research.