Zombie ants’ final resting place sealed by the trees

A fungus that turns infected ants into powerless ‘zombies’ has adapted to climate conditions in different locales by modifying its victims’ behaviour.

New York Post (via A.P.): The bacteria in a mosquito’s gut may rid us of malaria

This Associated Press story, which also appeared in the New York Times and other outlets, quotes Jason Rasgon, professor of entomology.

The Morning Mixtape: “Wanna study bugs with me?” “I do.”

Jared Ali and Sara Hermann are entomologists at Penn State, and they’re also married. Their research is focused on growing safer food. We also learn how they met.

Puppeteer Parasite That Creates Zombie Ants Hijacks Their Bodies—Not Brains

In a macabre discovery, scientists have found that a parasite, which creates armies of zombie ants, does so by hijacking their bodies—not their brains as was previously thought.

Wilkerson reaps more than knowledge from Penn State’s graduate program

Rhea County native Megan Wilkerson is nearing the completion of her work in the graduate studies program at Penn State University, but the time she has spent in the program has included much more than classroom work and library study.

Infected ‘zombie ants’ shuffle through colony undetected

Carpenter ants don’t attack or isolate their nest mates infected with a specialized parasitic fungus, and instead continue to share the colony’s food resources until the infected ants leave the nest for the last time to die, according to a new study.

Read recognized with 2018 President’s Award for Academic Integration

Andrew Read, Evan Pugh University Professor of Biology and Entomology in the Eberly College of Science and the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been awarded the 2018 President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Integration.

Student Research Spotlight - Elizabeth Davidson-Lowe

This is the 13th, and final, of the short news articles written by students, during the professional development class, about each other's research.

Scientist Discusses Global Pollinator Crisis

Wednesday evening the Wild Center with AdkAction hosted a presentation by Dr. Christina Grozinger, distinguished professor of entomology and director of the Center for Pollinator Research at Penn State University. The research center is home to the largest group of pollinator researchers in the world. Following a reception at 6 p.m., Groizinger addressed an attentive audience from 7-8 p.m., a lecture that will be repeated Thursday evening at the View in Old Forge. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Student Research Spotlight - Julie Baniszewski

This is the 12th of thirteen short news articles written by students, during the professional development class, about each other's research.

Student Research Spotlight - Hannah Stewart

This is the 11th of thirteen short news articles written by students, during the professional development class, about each other's research.

Student Research Spotlight - Emily Erickson

This is the 10th of thirteen short news articles written by students, during the professional development class, about each other's research.

WRAIR and ASTMH: 2nd Annual Alan Magill Malaria Forum

On June 9, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research held its Second Annual Malaria Forum in tribute to the late Alan Magill (Col., Ret.). In partnership with ASTMH, this annual event focused on malaria elimination and highlighted the themes of Discovery and Mentorship, two of Alan's passions.

Slugging it out with a new contender in the GMO debate

It was the closest thing you get to a blind date between a scientist and a journalist.

Higher tick populations or not, take precautions against Lyme disease

Recent media reports have suggested that tick populations in Pennsylvania may be particularly high this year, leading to an increased risk of Lyme disease in the state.

Pa lawmakers hear the plight of beekeepers

For years, beekeepers have been trying to raise the alarm on the declining population of bees, which play a big role in pollinating our crops. On Monday, Pennsylvania lawmakers on the Joint Legislation Conservation Committee heard testimony on the challenges facing beekeepers in the commonwealth.

Student Research Spotlight - Alexandra Duffy

This is the 8th of thirteen short news articles written by students, during the professional development class, about each other's research.

How you can help save the bees and help pollinator research in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has one of the highest bee colony losses in the country, with about 45 to 50 percent of colonies dying. Scientists are researching colony collapse disorder and trying to stop it. You can help. There are two citizen science projects in the research lab of Margarita Lopez-Uribe, Penn State extension apiculturist.

Student Research Spotlight - Tyler Jones

This is the 7th of thirteen short news articles written by students, during the professional development class, about each other's research.

Dr. Andrew Read gives Graduate School Commencement Speech

Andrew F. Read, Ph.D., Evan Pugh Professor of Biology and Entomology and Eberly Professor of Biotechnology, was the keynote speaker for this year's Graduate School commencement ceremony held on May 7, 2017.

Student Research Spotlight - Hillary Morin

his is the 6th of thirteen short news articles written by students, during the professional development class, about each other's research.

Ticks coming early, fast and furious in Pa.

Veterinarian Daniel Oliver diagnosed his first case of Lyme disease in a dog this season last Saturday. “The dog had a mild to moderate fever, was achy and sore and was not eating. He was not acting himself,” said Oliver, who is part of a six-doctor team at Greencastle Veterinary Hospital. “Our in-house test for exposure to Lyme disease was positive.

Former Student in the news

It is our great pleasure to tell you that the Fisher Prize Committee of the SSE has selected Megan Greischar as this year's Fisher Prize winner for her paper, "Predicting optimal transmission investment in malaria parasites.”

Penn State researchers receive NIH funding to explore malaria transmission in Southeast Asia

Researchers at Penn State have received more than $1 million in first-year funding from the National Institutes of Health to investigate malaria transmission in Southeast Asia with a goal of working toward the disease's elimination in the region. They will receive up to approximately $9 million over seven years for this project.

Waking From Hibernation, the Hard Work of Spring Begins

For animals that hibernate, making it to spring is no small feat. Torpor — the state of reduced bodily activity that occurs during hibernation — is not restful. By the time they emerge, hibernating animals are often sleep-deprived: Most expend huge bursts of energy to arouse themselves occasionally in the winter so their body temperatures don’t dip too low. This back-and-forth is exhausting, and hibernators do it with little to no food and water. By winter’s end, some have shed more than half their body weight.

The Morning Mixtape: Pollinators & Pesticides

Entomologists Dr. Christina Grozinger and Dr. John Tooker are tonight’s speakers at Science On Tap, sponsored by the PSU Science Policy Society. It takes place at 7 pm at Liberty Craft House. Grozinger and Tooker joined Karly Regan on the Mixtape to talk about saving pollinators and reducing pesticide use.

Researchers Take Aim at Insecticide-Resistant Bedbugs

There's a potential new weapon in the fight against the scourge of travelers everywhere -- bedbugs. Researchers from North Carolina State University and Penn State say they have created a fungal "biopesticide" to battle even the strongest bedbugs.

Student Research Spotlight - Brianna Flonc

This is the 5th of thirteen short news articles written by students, during the professional development class, about each other's research.

Student Research Spotlight - Brandon Gominho

This is the 4th of thirteen short news articles written by students, during the professional development class, about each other's research.

News from the Eastern Branch ESA Meeting

Our students had great success at the Eastern Branch Entomological Society of America meeting in Rhode Island.