University News

Bultemeier to Lead UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office (PIO)

The PIO provides training and testing for the estimated 70,000 certified pesticide applicators in Florida. Brett Bultemeier is a certified pesticide applicator and formerly worked in the private sector on aquatic plant management and mosquito control.

UCR Entomologist Makes a Case for Eating Bugs

Erin Wilson-Rankin, a professor in UC-Riverside's Entomology Department, shared why the practice of eating arthropods, or entomophagy, is gaining in popularity.

New Classification System for Termites Developed

An international team of 46 researchers has unveiled a new, comprehensive classification system for termites, shedding light on this often-misunderstood group of insects.

UF/IFAS Expert Shares Pest Control Tips for Hurricane Season

Johnalyn Gordon, a postdoctoral associate in urban entomology at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, explains what to look out for and how to manage pests after a storm.

American Ninja Warrior is ‘Dung Beetle Strong’

Researchers Train Robot Dog to Find Red Imported Fire Ants

A team of researchers is working to combat the spread of the red imported fire ant (RIFA) using use AI and a robot dog.

Invasive Pests Kill So Many Trees Each Year, It’s Equal to 5 Million Car Emissions

Invasive insects and pathogens have wreaked havoc on ash, elm, chestnut trees and others, wiping some of them almost completely from American forests. In addition to the ecological impact, a Purdue University study shows that the carbon storage lost to these pests each year is the same as the amount of carbon emitted by 5 million vehicles.

Texas A&M Research Shows Insects Evolved Pathways for Acoustic Communication

Sound-making, hearing mechanisms in crickets date back 300 million years, according to Texas A&M AgriLife research.

UMass Research: Few People Get Sick After Bite from Powassan Virus-Infected Ticks

The study reports that people bitten by black-legged (or deer) ticks that tested positive for the virus did not show signs or symptoms of disease.

Four Entomologists Honored as 2024 Fellows of ESA

ESA announced Chow-Yang Lee, Elizabeth H. (Betsy) Beers, Henry Y. Fadamiro and Tracy C. Leskey as 2024 Fellows. Election as a Fellow of ESA acknowledges outstanding contributions to entomology via research, teaching, extension, administration, military service, or public engagement and science policy.