Department of Entomology
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Spring 2015 Colloquium: Laura Lavine

2/27/2015

 
Mechanisms regulating condition-dependent growth in the elaborate weapons of sexual selection in beetles
PictureFigure 1. Elk in the Snow (CC 2.0 by Larry Smith)

Some of the most charismatic and recognizable features in the animal kingdom are the impressive weapons they wield when competing with each other. Porcupine quills, the chelae of crayfish, and the antlers of elk all require an enormous amount of energy dedicated primarily to fighting their fellows for resources and mates. Most species get by with a modest arsenal; mockingbirds will pick fights over the best territory, but their beaks are hardly fearsome. For centuries scientists have studied and debated the evolutionary pressures that guide the creation of extreme biological weaponry we see in mastodons, kudu, and stalk-eyed flies1. Why do a few species develop these exaggerated armaments when most get by with beaks and jaws that can crack seeds not bones?Some of the most charismatic and recognizable features in the animal kingdom are the impressive weapons they wield when competing with each other. Porcupine quills, the chelae of crayfish, and the antlers of elk all require an enormous amount of energy dedicated primarily to fighting their fellows for resources and mates. Most species get by with a modest arsenal; mockingbirds will pick fights over the best territory, but their beaks are hardly fearsome. For centuries scientists have studied and debated the evolutionary pressures that guide the creation of extreme biological weaponry we see in mastodons, kudu, and stalk-eyed flies1. Why do a few species develop these exaggerated armaments when most get by with beaks and jaws that can crack seeds not bones? 



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Mike Raupp selected as recipient of USM Regents' Faculty Award for Excellence in Public Service

2/24/2015

 
The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents has selected Professor Mike Raupp as a recipient of a 2015 USM Regents' Faculty Award for Excellence in Public Service.  This award is the highest honor that the Board bestows and recognizes Mike's exemplary achievements in educating the public in all things entomological.

Recent Entomology Publications & Presentations

2/16/2015

 
  •  A. J. Forde, M. Nathan, D.S. Gruner. Oral Presentation. “Patterns of Terrestrial Arthropod Diversity in the Mangrove-Marsh Ecotone on the Atlantic Coast of Florida.” State of the Reserve Symposium at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ponte Vedra, FL. February 6, 2015.
  • M. J. Raupp. Natives vs Exotic Plants: Which is more Pest Prone? Landscape Contractors Association. Shady Grove, MD., February 12, 2015. 
  • M.J. Raupp. Unraveling Non-target Effects of Insecticides.  International Society of Arboriculture. Penn-Del Chapter. Lancaster, PA. February 22, 2015.
  • Cora Ann Johnston, Daniel Gruner, Megan Riley. Contributed poster. "Finding a home among the mangroves: Crab recruitment within the expanding ecotone." State of the Reserve Meeting, Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ponte Vedra, FL. February 2015.
  • Bracken, M.E.S., H. Hillebrand, E.T. Borer, E.W. Seabloom, J. Cebrian, E.E. Cleland, J.J. Elser, D.S. Gruner, W.S. Harpole, J.T. Ngai, and J.E. Smith. 2015. Signatures of nutrient limitation and co-limitation: 
    responses of autotroph internal nutrient concentrations to nitrogen and phosphorus additions. Oikos 124:113-121.
  • van der Heide, T., E. Tielens, E.M. van der Zee, E.J. Weerman, S. Holthuijsen, B.K. Eriksson, T. Piersma, J. van de Koppel, and H. Olff. 2014. Predation and habitat modification synergistically interact to control bivalve recruitment on intertidal mudflats. Biological Conservation 172:163-169.

Spring 2015 Colloquium: Rob Morrison

2/13/2015

 
In his experiments, Rob uses a synergistic combination of BMSB aggregation pheromone (Khrimian et al., 2014) and methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate (MDT) (Weber et al., 2014) to lure BMSB into his traps. The advantage of this technique lies in its specificity for BMSB. By using the male-produced aggregation pheromone, Dr. Morrison and his colleagues are able to selectively attract and kill the BMSB without catching other insects (such as bees present in those same orchards) in the crossfire. Since this method only targets the BMSB, the ecosystem will remain largely uninterrupted, allowing for seamless integration of these traps without fear of large-scale ecosystem repercussions. The availability of these attractants in conjunction with research looking into convenient trap designs for growers means that these strategies have real field potential.

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Tired of blanketing your entire orchard with gallons of pesticides in order to combat the stink bug menace? Imagine drawing the bugs to a smaller spray area in order to deliver them to an untimely, yet well deserved, end while reducing your environmental impact. Dr. Rob Morrison at the USDA definitely thinks this is possible!


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Learn about the Bug Man on Campus in TERP magazine

2/11/2015

 
Entomologist Michael Raupp has fed Jay Leno a cicada. He’s consulted the TV series “Bones” on bugs found on cadavers in the Washington, D.C., area. He’s practically a regular on NPR and WTOP.  Click on link to learn more.

http://terp.umd.edu/bug-man-on-campus/

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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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Web Accessibility
  • About
    • At a Glance
    • Welcome From the Chair
    • Code of Conduct
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion >
      • DEI Working Group
      • Resources
    • Departmental History
    • For Alumni
    • Support Entomology >
      • Steinhauer Scholarship Fund
    • Proposal Resources
    • Contact >
      • Directions
  • News
    • News
    • Seminar Blog
    • Seminar Schedule
    • Awards
  • People
    • Faculty
    • Post Docs
    • Students
    • Staff
    • Alumni
  • Academics
    • Graduate >
      • Admissions
      • MS Degree Requirements
      • PhD Degree Requirements
      • Graduate Student Resources
      • Financial Assistance
      • Award & Funding Opportunities
      • Entomology Student Organization
    • Online Masters in Applied Entomology
    • Undergraduate >
      • Entomology Minor
      • Honors Program
  • Research
    • IPM & Biological Control of Agricultural, Urban & Forest Pests
    • Ecology, Conservation, Restoration, Climate Change >
      • Pollinator Science and Apiculture
    • Evolution, Systematics and Evo-Devo
    • Genetics & Genomics and Medical Entomology
  • Extension/Outreach
    • Educational Outreach
    • Insect Camp
    • Insect Drawings
    • Insect Identification
    • Pesticide Education and Assessment Program
    • Plant Diagnostic Laboratory (PDL)