Fifteen Penn Staters selected for Bayer Crop Science mentoring program

March 24, 2025

A group of 15 Penn State graduate students and postdoctoral scholars have been selected to participate in the Bayer Crop Science 2025 University Mentoring Program, a global initiative that pairs students with industry professionals for career guidance and professional development. 

Fifteen Penn Staters selected for Bayer Crop Science mentoring program

March 24, 2025

A group of 15 Penn State graduate students and postdoctoral scholars have been selected to participate in the Bayer Crop Science 2025 University Mentoring Program, a global initiative that pairs students with industry professionals for career guidance and professional development. 

FDA-approved dialysis drug may help fight against antimicrobial resistance

March 18, 2025

Increased antibiotic use can lead, seemingly paradoxically, to more problematic infections, as the bacteria evolve to resist the treatment. The answer to this antimicrobial resistance, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called “one of the world’s most urgent public health problems,” might be a medication used for kidney disease, according to a team led by researchers at Penn State.

Natural insect predators may serve as allies in spotted lanternfly battle

March 17, 2025

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.

Analyzing genetic ‘signatures’ may give insight into what stresses wild bees

March 10, 2025

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.

February 2025 Entomology Newsletter

March 3, 2025

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 complex effects of pesticide exposure on bumble bee health

February 25, 2025

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.

Select Corn Lines Contain Compounds that Sicken, Kill Major Crop Pest

February 19, 2025

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.

Researchers at Penn State developing strategies to reduce mushroom phorid flies

February 18, 2025

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.

Penn State researchers developing strategies to diminish mushroom phorid flies

February 18, 2025

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, Penn State researchers and Penn State Extension specialists are working alongside state officials and industry leaders to establish science-based integrated pest management solutions.

'Branching Out: The Power of Trees, Forest Ecology and Community Health' March 8

February 10, 2025

At this community event, attendees and panelists will discuss the power of trees to save lives and provide for the future. The panel, featuring two arboretum directors and renowned ecologist and National Geographic Explorer at Large Nalini Nadkarni, will lead guests in envisioning the expansion of tree canopies for resilience in Penn's Woods. 

Native bee populations can bounce back after honey bees move out

February 6, 2025

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.

Open Position: Assistant/Associate Professor of Public Health Entomology

January 29, 2025

Three faculty receive Presidential Early Career Award for scientists, engineers

January 24, 2025

Three Penn State researchers have been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the White House announced on Jan. 14. The award is the highest honor the U.S. government bestows on early-career scientists and engineers. The awards are conferred annually following recommendations from federal funding agencies.

López-Uribe awarded presidential honor for early career scientists

January 24, 2025

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.

‘Buzz me in:’ Bees wearing itty bitty QR codes reveal hive secrets

January 22, 2025

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 to lead Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences as director

January 17, 2025

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.

WATCH: Entomology doctoral candidate discusses wasp discoveries

January 16, 2025

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.

Virtual speaker to discuss impact and potential of PlantVillage on Jan. 21

January 9, 2025

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.

Quantity over quality? Different bees are attracted to different floral traits

January 6, 2025

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.

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.