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Bee Lab Collaborates on New Approach to Control Chem Resistant Varroa Mites

4/6/2021

 
Varroa mites are a major threat to honeybee health in the US. Chemical applications have proved effective at controlling varroa mite populations in honey bee colonies, however, only to a point. The mites are developing resistance to these chemicals. Collaborative study between University of Valencia and UMD Entomology Bee Lab researchers, Grad Student Krisztina Christmon & Associate Professor Dennis vanEngelsdorp, demonstrate mutations related to tau-fluvalinate resistance in Varroa destructor are widely distributed in the US. Their research reveals an urgent need for pest management strategies based on treatment resistance. Knowing the frequency of resistant mites, the authors argue, would help beekeepers choose the right treatment for their colonies.

Burghardt Lab takes a closer look at insect herbivore behaviors in urban environments

4/5/2021

 
Graphic of behavior, location and stages of herbivors
Postdoc Lauren Schmitt and Assistant Professor Karin Burghardt have a paper out in Current Opinion in Insect Science that summarizes current literature on key insect herbivore behaviors and life stage transitions in urbanized environments. Despite an understanding of herbivore performance in ‘natural’ habitats, the authors see knowledge gaps when it comes to understanding insect behavior in urbanized ecosystems. The authors therefore encourage further research to improve our understanding of herbivore performance in urban areas, human management of soil and plant biomass, and less visible insect life stages, such as the habitat of the overwintering stages.
​
Please share with your networks: facebook, twitter

Working in Extension Entomology: A Little Bit of Everything

3/25/2021

 
Fig. 1 Dr. Villanueva presenting at an extension field event.   Fig. 1 Dr. Villanueva presenting at an extension field event.
Written by: Maria Cramer and Veronica Yurchak

​In academia it’s fairly common to become an expert in a tiny slice of science. Researchers often become incredibly familiar with the particular system or organism they study and may not have too many reasons to branch out. That is not the pattern that Dr. Raul Villanueva, from the University of Kentucky, followed, however. Dr. Villanueva, the field crops entomologist for Kentucky, attributes his diversity of study areas to working in agricultural extension. In order to help support and educate Kentucky farmers he ends up working on whatever insect problems they are facing. And what’s more, Kentucky is a state of diverse agricultural production, ranging from grain crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans, to hemp for CBD production, sweet sorghum for molasses, and many horticultural crops like fruits and vegetables. Over the course of the seminar talk that he presented to the University of Maryland Entomology Department, Dr. Villanueva took the audience on a journey through his extension research program.


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Museum Scholarship and Material Culture Program spotlights Jayd's research and efforts in DEI

3/25/2021

 
Kristin Jayd
Museum Scholarship and Material Culture Graduate Certificate Program at University of Maryland spotlights entomology grad student Kristin Jayd, Burghardt Lab, in their latest newsletter. The article features more on her studies into parasitoid wasps and their relationships with their host caterpillars and trees. And, of course, spotlights her interest in museum collections, curation of entomological and ecological data, and making collections broadly accessible. Check out the MuseNews to see more about her research and a "shortlist of ways to move toward a decolonized practice specifically in entomological collections."

Checkerspots take second place at ESA Eastern Branch

3/25/2021

 
Congrats team Checkerspots - Maggie Lewis, Taís Ribeiro, Maria Cramer, and Kristin Jayd- for scoring 2nd place in the entomology Games at the Entomological Society of America's Eastern Branch meeting! This fall University of Maryland Checkerspots are headed to Denver, where they will compete at the national level. Go Checkerspots!!!!!

Ngeve collaborated on extensive study into mangrove species R. mucronata

3/9/2021

 
Assessing patterns of genetic diversity and structure of foundation species helps researchers better understand population dynamics in order to establish effective conservation strategies. Postdoc Magdalene Ngeve, Neel Lab, collaborated on an extensive study on the mangrove species Rhizophora mucronata in the Western Indian Ocean. Findings of that study were published in Scientific Reports earlier this month: “Expansion of the mangrove species Rhizophora mucronata in the Western Indian Ocean launched contrasting genetic patterns.” The authors hope their findings will, one day, be integrated with other regional genetic data to further understand the connectivity of mangroves at a global scale.

Fair-weather Friends: How mycorrhizal associations can be conditionally beneficial

3/9/2021

 
written by: Angela Saenz and Eva Perry

​On February 12th (2021), Dr. Zoe Getman-Pickering, who obtained her Ph.D. from Cornell University in 2020 and is currently a postdoctoral scientist working at George Washington University with John Lill, spoke in the Entomology Colloquium series about her research related to the tri-trophic interactions between plants, herbivorous insects, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (referred to as mycorrhizal fungi, or mycorrhizae, hereafter). She described her work on the relationship between plants and mycorrhizal fungi, and the biotic and abiotic factors influencing this relationship.

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Roswell & colleagues publish 'A conceptual guide to measuring species diversity'

3/3/2021

 
bees on flowers
Measuring and comparing biodiversity is challenging because rare species are often undetected. So, what can researchers do to address these sampling issues in biodiversity measurement? Michael Roswell, Postdoc in Espindola Lab, and colleagues have a new paper out in Oikos that recommends using two tools in tandem -coverage and Hill diversity.
​
Join us in congratulating Michael on this recent pub entitled, “A conceptual guide to measuring species diversity,” "Editor's Choice" of the March issue in Oikos, and now one of the most downloaded Oikos articles from the past 2 years.

Hamby Lab describes cultural controls used to manage SWD

3/1/2021

 
SWD cultural controlsPhoto Credit: Naiade Caparelli
Hamby Lab has a new paper out in Insects that describes the current use of cultural controls in the management of the invasive spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), a small insect that causes big problems for fruit crops. Paper entitled, “Cultural Control of Drosophila suzukii in Small Fruit—Current and Pending Tactics in the U.S.” 
​
In this paper first authors, Torsten Schöneberg (Postdoc) and Margaret Lewis (PhD student), explain cultural controls as a pest management technique that modifies production practices and the crop environment to reduce pest populations and damage. By reporting on the approaches and effectiveness of various cultural controls for SWD management, from pruning to irrigation methods, the authors hope to further encourage fruit growers to adopt these techniques as an alternative to pesticide use. 

Please share with your networks: twitter, facebook

Rethinking teaching biology to be gender neutral through careful wording of course-specific material concerning gender identity, disability, and Race

2/24/2021

 
​Written by: Mike Nan
​​
Dr. Karen Hales is a Biology Professor at Davidson College who employs genetic tools with the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) model to understand the molecular mechanisms of mitochondria function in cells. While past colloquium speakers have presented on the latest research in their lab, Dr. Hales addressed an even more pressing, teaching topic: Enhancing inclusivity in undergraduate science courses through careful wording of course-specific material concerning gender identity, disability, and race. 

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Entomology Student Organization Officer Profile: Meet Your Vice-president!

2/23/2021

 
Cramer Picture
Maria Cramer is the current Vice-president of ESO and a 2nd year PhD student in the Hamby Lab. She’s usually out in cornfields during the summer, investigating how preventatively-applied insecticides are impacting pest and beneficial insects in Maryland corn. She’s interested in the practices that can enhance naturally occurring biocontrol and lead to more sustainable farming. Before COVID, she spent her free time folk-dancing and shape-note singing, but now if she’s not at a research farm or doing lab work at the kitchen table, she’s probably gardening in her DC backyard.                               
​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bramble_fruits/

Raupp Talks Cicadas on WJLA

2/23/2021

 
"Maryland is at the epicenter of the cicada emergence, so there will be spectacular numbers of cicadas emerging very heavily, starting perhaps in early May," Michael Raupp, Prof Emeritus at UMD, told WJLA. "But the big ‘cicada-palooza’ is going to happen the last two weeks of May and into early June. So in some areas, there will be 1.5 million cicadas per acre emerging from the ground."

WJLA article: 'Cicada-palooza' is coming. Maryland will be at the epicenter

Pick Lab Article Spotlighted by GENETICS & G3 Editors

2/23/2021

 
​Katie Reding and Leslie Pick’s paper, High Efficiency CRISPR/Cas9 Mutagenesis of the white Gene in the Milkweed Bug Oncopeltus fasciatus has been chosen for GSA journals’ 2020 Spotlight Collection of research and scholarship. The collection curated by the editors showcases noteworthy examples of genetics and genomics investigations. Congratulations to the Pick Lab for this exciting recognition!
 
Visit the collection here: https://academic.oup.com/genetics/pages/spotlight
 
More on the article: Entomology graduate student Katie Reding (Pick lab) used CRISPR/Cas9 to make a genomic deletion of the white gene in the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus. The white gene was one of the first genes identified in Drosophila, over 100 years ago, where it is necessary for the red eye color of flies. Interesting, in Oncopeltus, white is necessary for pigmentation throughout the body but it is also necessary for organismal survival, as animals homozygous for the white mutations do not survive to adulthood.  This is the first demonstration that CRISPR is effective in Oncopeltus. Methods Katie developed will be useful for researchers to test the function of other genes in this and related species.

Seminar Blog: Got good clean dirt? A necessity for ground-dwelling bees

2/17/2021

 
Figure 1. Dr. Alexandra Harmon-Threatt enjoying a day of collecting in the field.
Figure 1. Dr. Alexandra Harmon-Threatt enjoying a day of collecting in the field.
written by: Maggie Hartman & Kathleen Ciola Evans
​
At the intersection of hard work, novel thinking, and luck, you can find pollination ecologist Dr. Alexandra Harmon-Threatt (Fig. 1) waiting for opportunity to knock. Dr. Harmon-Threatt, Associate Professor of Entomology (aht@illinois.edu), and her lab members at the University of Illinois are enthusiastic about understanding and promoting general pollinator conservation by dissecting the factors that affect their diversity. Given the long field hours and complex interactions between variables, this is no easy task!

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Return of Periodical Cicadas in 2021: Biology, Plant Injury and Management

2/15/2021

 
cicadas
In the spring, trillions of periodical cicadas are expected to emerge. "They will be a source of wonder and consternation as they emerge from the earth and lay eggs in treetops.” writes Prof. Emeritus Mike Raupp in Tree Care Industry Association Magazine.

Ento Grad Students Place in Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention Research Competition

2/11/2021

 
Exciting news out of Hooks Lab!
​

Congratulations to Veronica Yurchak & Demian Nunez who placed 1st and 2nd, respectively in the Graduate Student poster contest held during the Virtual Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention. The judging panel saw 24 poster entries in total, and our students posters stood out as top. Award winning posters listed below.

Title: Using a living mulch in reduced tillage sweet corn  Authors: Veronica Yurchak, Alan Leslie and Cerruti RR Hooks
Title: Developing a perennial living mulch system for Mid-Atlantic cantaloupe growers. Authors: Demian Nunez, Macarena Farcuh, Karin Burghardt and Cerruti RR Hooks

Evans co-authors pub out in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

2/1/2021

 
Feral honey bees HarrisonValley (cropped)_Katy Evansphoto credit: Katy Evans
Katy Evans, PhD student in Espindola Lab, co-authors new publication w/ Penn State researchers, "The Role of Pathogen Dynamics and Immune Gene Expression in the Survival of Feral Honey Bees" out in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution earlier this month. Their research shows feral colonies may have higher tolerance to pathogens than managed honey bee colonies. Understanding environmental and genetic factors behind the feral bees' increased immunity could help beekeepers combat colony losses. 

For more details about the study, check out Penn State's press release.

entomology student organization spotlights president

1/28/2021

 
Krizstina Christmon
Krisztina Christmon is the current president of ESO and is a third year PhD student in the vanEngelsdorp Bee Lab studying the honey bee parasite Varroa destructor. You can find her either at the lab or by the microscope. If not, then she’s probably gone surfing! Krisztina is passionate about the host-parasite pathogen interactions. Follow the link to get an in depth look at her collaboration with the USDA. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/12/4/374/xml

Newsweek Talks Brood X with Raupp

1/20/2021

 
With Brood X only months away from emerging, Newsweek asks Raupp what to expect and what to look forward to. Follow link to read full article.

Quote: " Although the idea of swarms of insects appearing from the earth may sound "unbearable and frightening," Raupp said, "this is a wonderful opportunity for millions of people to witness and enjoy a remarkable biological phenomenon in their own backyard that happens nowhere else on the planet, truly a teachable moment." 

https://www.newsweek.com/trillions-brood-10-cicadas-emerge-us-17-years-underground-1562608  

Spring 2021 Cory Undergraduate Award Recipients

1/13/2021

 
Picture

​​Congratulations to the recipients of the Spring 2021 Ernest N. Cory Undergraduate Scholarship! This scholarship provides up to $1,000 for undergraduate students each semester who have creatively contributed to Entomology Department research and/or extension efforts. Choose, "Read More" to find out more about Elizabeth Butz, Sophia Barringer & Madison Tewey and their extraordinary efforts in Entomology.


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CMNS Board of Visitors Junior Faculty Award goes to Fritz

1/5/2021

 
Megan Fritz
We are very pleased to announce that the winner of the CMNS Board of Visitors Junior Faculty Award is Entomology's Assistant Professor, Megan Fritz! Megan’s work focuses on the study of insect evolution in response to a constantly changing environment. The lab uses molecular, genomic, and computational tools to shed light on the genomic variants that facilitate adaptation. Her outstanding research program has produced significant publications and attracted external funding. She has received two prestigious USDA- NIFA grants, which support her efforts to utilize genomic approaches to solve critical real-world problems and train students and postdoctoral fellows. Megan is a highly engaged university citizen, she teaches graduate and undergraduate level courses, participates in outreach and serves on a number of department and University committees. Congratulations Megan on this well-deserved recognition! 

Improving resistance monitoring for Bt crops

1/5/2021

 
Professor Emeritus, Galen Dively and his colleagues have a new paper out in the Journal of Economic Entomology titled, “Sweet Corn Sentinel Monitoring for Lepidopteran Field-Evolved Resistance to Bt Toxins” The study demonstrates that the sentinel plot approach as an in-field screen can effectively monitor phenotypic resistance and document field-evolved resistance in target pest populations, improving resistance monitoring for Bt crops. As a direct result of Galen’s research, the EPA has proposed a number of changes to the way the agency monitors genetically modified crop technologies. This fall Galen presented his research at the Fall Entomology Seminar Series. Check out PhD students Darsy Smith and Veronica Yurchak's Seminar Blog summarizing that talk. 

On a related note, a recent Maryland Farm & Harvest episode covered several stories on corn production, including a segment at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center featuring Galen’s research on genetically modified corn.

Department of Entomology Newsletter | Fall 2020

12/21/2020

 
Picture
Check out our Fall 2020 Department of Entomology Newsletter to see what we've been up to! Content includes news on virtual meetings, publications, awards, defenses and much more. 
​
​Is there something you'd like to see in the Spring 20201 edition? Let us know by sending an e-mail to umdentomology@umd.edu. 

Neonicotinoids: the good, the bad, and the ugly

12/21/2020

 
written by: Demian Nunez and Madeline Potter
​

Neonicotinoids are most commonly known to the public as a class of chemicals responsible for widespread pollinator decline. To growers they are a cheap means of dealing with historically difficult soil pests and are heavily used throughout the United States as a preventative measure. Given their prevalence, are the benefits enough to justify their use? Recent University of Maryland (UMD) entomology graduate Dr. Aditi Dubey, Hamby Lab, addressed this question and more in her exit seminar, summarizing five and a half years of research. 

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Hunting the Flesh Eating Screwworms: Dr. John Welch and an entomological career of adventure and service

12/21/2020

 
Figure 1. Screwworm larva (USDA - APHIS)Figure 1. Screwworm larva (USDA - APHIS)
written by: Graham Stewart, Meghan McConnell, Tais Ribeiro
​

On the past November 20th, Dr. John Welch, Liaison for Action Programs of International Services (APHIS) and co-recipient of the 2020 Scientist of the Year Award, brought to the Entomology colloquium his example of a successful entomological career outside of academia, sharing some of his adventures and the many roles he has occupied. Although Dr. Welch’s work has involved a variety of issues, over the years his main focus has been on eradication of the screwworm (Fig 1), Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The screwworm is a deadly, parasitic fly that feeds on the living tissues of warm-blooded animals. It has many nicknames, one being “man-eater”. It has been a problem for livestock and humans for decades, leading to major economic losses for farmers. Two entomologists Edward F. Knipling and Raymond C. Bushland, are known for pioneering successful eradication efforts through the Agriculture Research Service (ARS). They developed the sterile insect technique (SIT), a low dose of radiation to make the screwworms sterile. The flies are then raised in a lab and released in infested areas. These sterile males mate with the females and the eggs laid do not mature. 



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Department of Entomology 
University of Maryland 
4112 Plant Sciences Building 
College Park, MD 20742-4454
USA

Telephone: 301.405.3911 
Fax: 301.314.9290
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