entomology

Jun 26, 2017

Hot Cities Spell Bad News for Bees

A new study finds that common wild bee species decline as urban temperatures increase. 

May 17, 2017

The Boll Weevil War, or How Farmers and Scientists Saved Cotton in the South

The boll weevil is not much to look at, but it was powerful enough to forge an unprecedented partnership between farmers, legislators and scientists. 

May 9, 2017

Research Yields New Details About Trap-jaw Ants – and They Look Amazing

Trap-jaw ants, with their spring-loaded jaws and powerful stings, are among the fiercest insect predators, but they begin their lives as spiny, hairy, fleshy blobs hanging from the ceiling and walls of an underground nest. 

May 3, 2017

‘Princess Pheromone’ Tells Ants Which Larvae Are Destined to Be Queens

For Indian jumping ants (Harpegnathos saltator), becoming royalty is all about timing. 

Apr 3, 2017

Study IDs Ways to Encourage ‘Refuge’ Planting, Slowing Resistance to Bt Crops

A study finds a shortfall in the amount of “refuge” cropland being planted in NC – increasing the rate at which crop pests evolve the ability to devour genetically engineered Bt crops. 

Nov 14, 2016

Engineering a New Mosquito

NC State entomologists are developing genetic systems that could replace mosquito populations with strains that have a reduced capacity for transmitting disease. 

Oct 5, 2016

Urban Warming Slows Tree Growth, Photosynthesis

New research finds that urban warming reduces growth and photosynthesis in city trees. The researchers found that insect pests are part of the problem, but that heat itself plays a more significant role. 

Sep 1, 2016

It’s a Boy: Modified Male Flies Could More Efficiently Control Screwworm Population

Suppressing populations of devastating pests may be easier with the release of genetically modified males. 

Jun 29, 2016

Expanding Outreach to Support Bees and Other Pollinators

A lot of people want to know what they can do to help bees – and a new initiative at NC State is aimed at helping to meet that demand. 

Jun 21, 2016

How Native American Agriculture Spread Bees in Pre-Columbian North America

Using genetic markers, researchers have for the first time shown how cultivating a specific crop led to the expansion of a pollinator species. In this case, the researchers found that the spread of a bee species in pre-Columbian Central and North America was tied to the spread of squash agriculture. 

May 18, 2016

No Junk-Food Diet: Even in Cities, Bees Find Flowers and Avoid Processed Sugars

New research from NC State finds that bees in urban areas stick to a flower-nectar diet, steering clear of processed sugars found in soda and other junk food. 

May 17, 2016

Assessing the Positive and Negative Claims About Genetically Engineered Crops

Genetically engineered crops stir strong feelings from both critics and supporters. We talk to the researcher who chaired the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee that just released a report, “Genetically Engineered Crops: Experience and Prospects,” which examines the evidence behind positive and negative claims about GE crops, and the research challenges that lie ahead. 

Apr 14, 2016

Study Argues ‘Winner-Winner’ Behavior May Shape Animal Hierarchies

Researchers have developed a behavioral model that explains the complexity and diversity of social hierarchies in ants, and which scientists believe may help us understand the nature of other animal societies – from primates to dolphins. 

Mar 23, 2016

Modified Maggots Could Help Human Wound Healing

NC State entomologists genetically modify maggots to aid human wound healing. 

Mar 9, 2016

Study Finds More Social Insects Have Weaker Immune Response, Highlights Role of Hygiene

Research finds that among eusocial insects – like ants, bees and termites – the more individuals there are in a typical species colony, the weaker the species’ immune response. The finding strongly suggests that hygiene behaviors, and not just immune systems, play a key role in keeping eusocial insects healthy.