Insect predators found in the U.S. could help keep spotted lanternfly populations in check while potentially reducing reliance on chemical control methods, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Penn State.
A new method of examining gene expression patterns called landscape transcriptomics may help pinpoint what causes bumble bees stress and could eventually give insight into why bee populations are declining overall, according to a study led by researchers at Penn State.
This month we have quite a bit of news about bees, the relentless phorid flies, Frost Museum video, FREC farewell, spotted lanternfly still in the news, and a great video about wasp discoveries. Plus some high-level awards for faculty, students, and staff.
The effects of pesticide exposure on pollinator health may be more complicated than originally thought, according to a team of researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.
The corn earworm causes the loss of more than 76,000 bushels of corn in the United States annually, and there is mounting evidence that increasingly extreme weather events and temperatures will exacerbate the damage done to agricultural output by insect pests. Responding to that threat, a team of researchers at Penn State conducted a study that demonstrated that genetic lines of corn have inherent compounds that serve as insecticides, protecting them from the larvae that feed on them.
In southeastern Pennsylvania, where 60% of U.S. mushrooms are grown, phorid flies are posing a threat to the industry, destroying up to 40% of the crop and invading homes. To combat the pest, researchers at Penn State and Penn State Extension specialists are working alongside state officials and industry leaders to establish science-based integrated pest management solutions.
Managed honey bees have the potential to affect native bee populations when they are introduced to a new area, but a study led by researchers at Penn State suggests that, under certain conditions, the native bees can bounce back if the apiaries are moved away.
Margarita López-Uribe, the Lorenzo L. Langstroth Early Career Professor of Entomology in the College of Agricultural Sciences, was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
Several hundred bees in rural Pennsylvania and rural New York are sporting tiny QR codes on their backs to track when they go in and out of their hives. The work, a collaboration among entomologists and electrical engineers at Penn State, is the first step in solving a long-standing mystery of how far bees travel from their hives to collect pollen and nectar.
Christina Grozinger has been appointed as the new director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State, succeeding interim director Patrick Drew. Globally recognized for her research in pollinator genetics and insect biodiversity, Grozinger's leadership is expected to significantly advance the institute's research capabilities and collaborative efforts across diverse scientific disciplines.
Identifying two dozen new species of gall wasps was a crowning achievement of Louis Nastasi’s Penn State graduate education experience. A doctoral candidate in entomology, Nastasi and his collaborators have discovered more than 20 new species of gall wasps through their research.
In the next Virtual Speaker Series from the Penn State Alumni Association, David Hughes, Huck Chair in Global Food Security at Penn State, will discuss PlantVillage, an AI-enabled "land grant in a phone" that uses data sharing to help smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia and the Americas adapt to climate change. This free event will be held on Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. on Jan. 21. Registration is open now.
Different species of bees may be attracted to different flower traits when it comes to deciding where they’re going to get their next meal, according to a recent study led by researchers at Penn State.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Huck Innovative and Transformational Seed (HITS) Fund initiative has awarded three high-risk, potentially high-impact project seed funding.
Dr. Heather Lee Grab works to support the needs of stakeholders in vegetable crops as well as other specialty crops like small fruits.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
