December Entomology Newsletter

December 20, 2024

Pollinators most vulnerable to rising global temperatures are flies, study shows

December 19, 2024

Despite their reputation as buzzing nuisances, flies serve a critical role as some of the Earth’s most prolific pollinators — and new research led by Penn State scientists suggests they are increasingly at risk due to rising global temperatures.

Penn State scientists educate national grape organization on spotted lanternfly

December 18, 2024

Members of the National Grape Research Alliance, a national nonprofit organization that supports America’s grape industry, joined Penn State’s spotted lanternfly research and extension team this fall for a two-day field trip to address the growing threat of the invasive pest jeopardizing the U.S. grape industry.

College of Ag Sciences celebrates faculty, staff achievements in research

December 10, 2024

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences celebrated another year of outstanding success and accomplishments in research during the 2024 Research Awards Ceremony, held Nov. 19 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.

'Growing Impact' reflects on PlantVillage investment, success

December 2, 2024

“Growing Impact” highlights PlantVillage, an innovative project that leverages the power of smartphones, artificial intelligence and cloud computing to help millions of farmers across Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Q&A: Penn State COP16 delegation contributes to biodiversity efforts

December 2, 2024

A delegation of Penn State faculty and graduate students who attended the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, known as COP16, in Cali, Colombia, share about the event and their experiences.

Tick tubes help reduce the parasites on mice, but time and frequency matters

November 25, 2024

Ticks are a nuisance across many areas of the U.S., capable of spreading harmful pathogens to both animals and humans. A new study led by researchers at Penn State analyzed the effectiveness of a simple, inexpensive strategy for controlling ticks that homeowners can use in their backyards.

Entomology Newsletter Now Online

November 15, 2024

The department newsletter was previously being delivered as an email newsletter. Entomology is now making its newsletter widely available online to better promote events, achievements, awards, publications, and special topics that highlight students, faculty, and staff in the department.

From Catwoman to Han Solo, newly discovered wasps named after famous thieves

October 18, 2024

Twenty-two new species of gall wasps have been identified and named for the first time, thanks to new research led by a Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences graduate student.

Penn State entomology graduate student identifies 22 new species of gall wasps

October 18, 2024

Twenty-two new species of gall wasps have been identified and named for the first time, thanks to new research led by a Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences graduate student.

Penn State researchers earn funding for sustainable weed and insect management

October 11, 2024

Three Penn State research teams have received awards totaling $1.78 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to investigate climate-smart approaches to pest control in agriculture.

University fellowships awarded to 110 graduate students

October 10, 2024

The J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School at Penn State named 110 graduate students as recipients of the 2024-25 University Graduate Fellowships and Distinguished Graduate Fellowships. The students were honored on Oct. 3 at a reception held at the Bryce Jordan Center.

New specialist named to help Pennsylvanians implement integrated pest management

October 9, 2024

The Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management program — a collaboration between Penn State and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture —  has announced the appointment of Raymond R. Delaney as its new community program specialist. The program provides educational and logistical resources to help develop and implement effective, sustainable and environmentally conscious pest management practices to serve Pennsylvania’s diverse regions and sector-specific needs.

Adding fall blooming plants may help both managed and wild bees in cities

October 7, 2024

Honey bees are not native to the U.S., leading to concerns that managed honey bee populations might negatively impact wild bees. However, a Penn State research team found that of the 33 genera of native bees studied, only a small number seemed to be negatively affected by the presence of honey bees.

Integrated Pest Management Program staffer to help Pennsylvanians implement IPM plans

October 4, 2024

Three projects receive Huck Innovative and Transformational Seed Fund grants

September 11, 2024

The Huck Innovative and Transformational Seed (HITS) Fund initiative has awarded three high-risk, potentially high-impact project seed funding.

Faculty Spotlight: Heather Lee Grab, Ph.D.

September 10, 2024

Dr. Heather Lee Grab works to support the needs of stakeholders in vegetable crops as well as other specialty crops like small fruits.

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners shine as leaders at national conference

September 6, 2024

The entire Penn State Extension Master Gardener leadership team was selected to present at the 2024 National Extension Master Gardener Coordinators’ Conference, held Aug. 26-29 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Volunteers record bee biodiversity and discover new species in Pennsylvania

August 22, 2024

Community scientists in Pennsylvania have reported multiple new species of bees never before found in the commonwealth through a monitoring program led by Penn State.

Honey bees may play key role in spreading viruses to wild bumble bees

August 21, 2024

Honey bees may play a role in increasing virus levels in wild bumble bees each spring, according to researchers at Penn State who analyzed seasonal trends of parasite and virus transmission in bees. 

Honey bees may play role in spreading viruses to wild bumble bees

August 21, 2024

Honey bees may play a role in increasing virus levels in wild bumble bees each spring, according to researchers at Penn State who analyzed seasonal trends of parasite and virus transmission in bees.

Penn State students awarded USDA pre-doctoral fellowships for research

August 19, 2024

Ten Penn State students, including nine associated with the College of Agricultural Sciences, have been awarded predoctoral fellowships by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, securing over $1.4 million in total funding.

Celebrate the world of insects at Penn State’s annual Great Insect Fair

August 16, 2024

Take a deep dive into the wide world of insects — including a special spotlight on the Pennsylvania firefly — at this year’s Great Insect Fair on Sept. 14 at Penn State University Park.

Entomology Welcomes Rob Mitchell, Associate Professor of Chemical Ecology

July 30, 2024

Dr. Robert F. Mitchell will be joining the Department of Entomology on September 1, 2024. His laboratory explores the field of chemical ecology, a broad discipline that addresses how organisms produce and use chemical signals to exchange information, locate food and mates, and generally navigate their environment.

Unearth gardening tips at Ag Progress Days Yard and Garden Area

July 22, 2024

Need expert gardening advice? Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences experts will offer consultations in the Yard and Garden Area during Ag Progress Days, Aug. 13-15.

New exhibit will showcase complex lives and impacts of insects

June 11, 2024

A new exhibition will help visitors to the Bellefonte Art Museum explore the symbiotic relationship between humans and insects. Created by the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, “Entwined Worlds” will shine a spotlight on the crucial role insects play in sustaining ecosystems; pollinating plants; inspiring art, music and literature; and contributing to advancements in medicine, biofuels and construction materials. The exhibition will be on display from July 5 to Aug. 25.

Haiku may shine a light on humans’ relationship with insects, study suggests

June 10, 2024

Penn State researchers analyzed which insects were mentioned the most in haiku — with butterflies, fireflies and singing insects such as crickets topping the list. Andrew Deans, professor of entomology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, director of the college’s Frost Entomological Museum and corresponding author on the study, said the findings shine a light on the insects that inspire emotion and awe in humans.

Penn State Extension guide provides advice on managing spotted lanternfly

June 5, 2024

Authored by researchers and extension educators in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the "Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide" features comprehensive information, illustrations, charts and photos on the pest’s biology, behavior, plant damage and management, as well as a brief overview of ongoing research.  

Combining pest treatments may be key to helping honey bees survive the winter

June 3, 2024

A new study by Penn State researchers has found that using not one but multiple pest treatments may help honey bees survive the winter and make it to spring.

Penn State pollinator experts author a new book that explores the lives of bees

May 14, 2024

Two renowned pollinator scientists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences have co-authored a book that sheds light on one of the Earth’s most invaluable resources: bees. Christina Grozinger, the Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology and director of the Center for Pollinator Research at Penn State, and Harland Patch, assistant research professor in the Department of Entomology and director of pollinator programming at the Arboretum at Penn State, wrote, “The Lives of Bees: A Natural History of Our Planet’s Bee Life.” The book is the latest in the series, “The Lives of the Natural World.”