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RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND POSTERS
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photo credit: Current Opinion in Insect Science
BURGHARDT LAB TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT INSECT HERBIVORE BEHAVIORS IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS
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.
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photo credit: Naiade Caparelli
HAMBY LAB DESCRIBES CULTURAL CONTROLS USED TO MANAGE SWD
Hamby Lab has a 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, Postdoc Torsten Schöneberg and recent PhD graduate Maggie Lewis, 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.
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Photo Credit: Pest Management Science
BEE LAB COLLABORATES ON NEW APPROACH TO CONTROL CHEM RESISTANT VARROA MITES
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.
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photo credit: Scientific Reports
NGEVE COLLABORATED ON EXTENSIVE STUDY INTO MANGROVE GENETIC DIVERSITY
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 year: “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.
For more on Ngeve's research check out AGNR's press release here>>
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Photo credit: Jack Jeffrey
PREDATION OR SCAVENGING? GRUNER LAB COLLABORATES ON A NOVEL METHOD OF MEASURING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN INVASIVE RATS & BIRDS
On the Hawaiian Islands invasive black rats are eating native and introduced birds. The long-term ecological impact of the rats' taste for island birds will depend on whether or not the rats are preying upon birds or scavenging their dead remains, a species interaction that can be difficult to verify through observation alone. So scientist from Smithsonian’s Center for Conservation Genomics and the Gruner Lab (grad student Madhvi Venkatraman, former postdoc Erin E Wilson Rankin and Associate Prof. Daniel S. Gruner) set out to find another way to measure these hard to see interactions. They worked out a method of using bacterial biomarkers in the rat's stomach and feces to tell whether the birds consumed were alive or dead. Their paper entitled, “Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats”, was published earlier this year in Ecology and Evolution, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7171.
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photo credit: Roswell
ROSWELL & COLLEAGUES PUBLISH 'A CONCEPTUAL GUIDE TO MEASURING SPECIES DIVERSITY'
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.
The publication entitled, “A conceptual guide to measuring species diversity,” was named Editor's Choice in the March issue of Oikos, and now one of the most downloaded Oikos articles from the past 2 years. For more on the publication check out the journals blog here>>
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photo credit: Katy Evans
EVANS CO-AUTHORS PUB OUT IN FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Katy Evans, PhD student in Espindola Lab, co-authors new publication with 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 year. 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 here>>
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PICK LAB ARTICLE SPOTLIGHTED BY GENETICS & G3 EDITORS
This Spring the Genetics Society of America adds Pick Lab paper, 'High Efficiency CRISPR/Cas9 Mutagenesis of the white Gene in the Milkweed Bug Oncopeltus fasciatus", to their collection of noteworthy genetics and genomics investigations published in the past year. Katie Reding and Leslie Pick’s study was first to demonstrate successful use of CRISPR in the milkweed bug. Methods they developed will be useful for researchers to test the function of other genes in this and related species. Congratulations to the Pick Lab for this exciting recognition!
Visit the collection here
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photo credit: Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Veg Convention
ENTO GRAD STUDENTS PLACE IN MID-ATLANTIC FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONVENTION RESEARCH COMPETITION
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
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ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS
^*Avanesyan A, Sutton H and Lamp WO. Choosing an Effective PCR-Based Approach for Diet Analysis of Insect Herbivores: A Systematic Review. Journal of Economic Entomology.2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toab057
Rankin AM, Anderson FE, Clutts SA, Espindola A, Carstens BC, Lucid M and Sullivan J. Comparative phylogeography of two Northern Rocky Mountain endemics: the widespread Anguispira kochi occidentalis and the narrow-range Anguispira nimapuna (Gastropoda: Discidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/biolinnean/blab030
Dively GP, Kuhar TP, Taylor S, [and 22 others including Hamby KA]. Sweet Corn Sentinel Monitoring for Lepidopteran Field-Evolved Resistance to Bt Toxins. Journal of Economic Entomology. 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa264
Cannon MV, Bogale HN, Bhalerao D, [and 17 others including ^Yeroshefsky J and Fritz ML] High-throughput Identification of Eukaryotic Parasites and Arboviruses in Mosquitoes. bioRxiv. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.12.426319
Sheng YP, Rivera-Nieves AA, Zou R, Paramygin VA, Angelini C and ^Sharp SJ. Invasive Phragmites provides superior wave and surge damage protection relative to native plants during storms. Environmental Research Letters. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abf288
^Kulhanek K, ^Steinhauer N, Wilkes J, Wilson M, Spivak M, Sagili R, Tarpy D, McDermott E, ^Garavito A, *Rennich K and vanEngelsdorp D. Survey-derived best management practices for backyard beekeepers improve colony health and reduce mortality. Plos One. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245490
^Steinhauer N, vanEngelsdorp D and Saegerman C. Prioritizing changes in management practices associated with reduced winter honey bee colony losses for US beekeepers. Science of The Total Environment. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141629
Perez-Gonzalez A and Shultz JW. On the problematic placement of the fossil arthropod Devonopilio hutchinsoni in Opiliones (Arachnida). Zootaxa. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4915.2.10
^Ribeiro TMA, Martins AC, Silva DP and Aguiar AJC. Systematics of the oil bee genus Lanthanomelissa (Apidae: Tapinotaspidini) and its implications for the biogeography of South American grasslands. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jzs.12472
Millán-Leiva A, Marín Ó, De la Rúa P, Munoz I, Tsagkarakou A, *Eversole H, ^Christmon K, vanEngelsdorp D & Gonzalez-Cabrera J. Mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance in the honey bee parasite Varroa destructor evolved as a series of parallel and sequential events. Journal of Pest Science. 2021. DOI: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10340-020-01321-8
Wu F, Niu K, Cui Y, [and 12 others including Wang J]. Genome-wide analysis of DNA G-quadruplex motifs across 37 species provides insights into G4 evolution. Communications Biology. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01643-4
Bold ENTM Faculty; ^ENTM current/former graduate student or post-doc; *ENTM research staff
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BRETTON KENT IS RETIRING
Dr. Bretton Kent, Principal Lecturer in the Department of Entomology, has a long and impressive history with UMD. Dr. Kent received his B.S. degree in 1973 from Oregon State University, a M.S. degree in Zoology from Oregon State, and his Ph.D. in 1981 from University of Maryland, College Park. The focus of his education was Zoology, a field he has continued to pursue throughout his career. After receiving his Ph.D., Dr. Kent worked as a Research Affiliate here at the University of Maryland, while simultaneously initiating his role as Instructor. Initially appointed in the Department of Zoology, Dr. Kent was recruited to the Entomology Department in 1997, where he was appointed as Instructor and Director of Undergraduate Studies. In addition, since 2005, Dr. Kent has been actively involved in the Master of Chemical & Life Science Program, serving as Associate Director and Director of this online Masters Program. This semester Dr. Kent will be retiring. Read more about Dr. Kent's exceptional career here>> |
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PALMER RECEIVES THE HELMHOLTZ INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP AWARD FOR EXCELLENT RESEARCHERS
Congratulations to Distinguished University Professor Margaret Palmer recipient of the Helmholtz International Fellowship Award for Excellent Researchers. These fellowships are "aimed at outstanding senior scientists who have distinguished themselves through their work in areas relevant to Helmholtz. The prize is awarded in recognition of the scientific merits and is endowed with a total of 20,000 euros." She was recognized for "cutting edge work in hydrology and ecology" and "pioneer work at the interface of science and society." Once COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted, Margaret will be spending time at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany with the option to collaborate with scientists at other Helmholtz centers.
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VANENGELSDORP NAMED HIGHLY CITED RESEARCHER
Congratulations to Associate Professor Dennis vanEngelsdorp for being named Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate's Web of Science for the 5th year in a row!
See Clarivate's list here>> |
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LAMP AWARDED THE WINSTON FAMILY HONORS FACULTY AWARD
In recognition of Dr. Bill Lamp's extraordinary dedication to Honors education at the University of Maryland he has been named recipient of the Honors College's highest award, the Winston Family Honors Faculty Award. For nearly two decades Bill has directed the Department of Entomology’s Honors program, which has graduated 30 students 17 of whom were mentees of his lab. In addition to his directing role Bill also instructs stand out courses like HONR208D, “Insect Biodiversity: The Good, theBad and the Weird,” in the University Honors Program. Please join us in congratulating Bill on this well deserved recognition!
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ENTOMOLOGY RACKS UP CMNS ANNUAL AWARDS FOR 2021!
Congratulations Marcia Shofner awardee of the CMNS Board of Visitors Creative Educator Award, Megan Fritz awardee of the CMNS Board of Visitors Junior Faculty Award and Amy Yaich awardee of the Dean’s Outstanding Employee Award, on their well-deserved recognition! See College's Announcement here>>
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RECENT DEFENSES
Maggie Lewis
Advisor: Kelly Hamby
Dissertation: APPLYING INSECT ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR TO IMPROVE SUSTAINABLE PEST MANAGEMENT FOR DROSOPHILA SUZUKII
For more on Maggie's dissertation work check out student seminar blog on her talk.
What's Next: This summer Maggie will begin an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Ohio State University where she will study how abiotic factors associated with climate change impact insect adaptation to host plant resistance.
Serhat Solmaz
Advisor: Dennis vanEngelsdorp
Masters Thesis: PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE MICROSPORIDIUM NOSEMA CERANAE INFECTION ON WORKER HONEY BEES (APIS MELLIFERA)
What's next: Moving on to a position as a Research Scientist with the Turkish government
Congratulations & best of luck in all your future endeavors, wherever these may take you!
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CHECKERSPOTS ADVANCE TO NATIONAL COMPETITION
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!!!!!
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HARTMAN WINS CAMPUS 3 MINUTE THESIS COMPETITION
This spring Maggie Hartman, M.S. student in the Lamp Lab, entered the Campus-Level Three-Minute Thesis competition and won! Maggie says distilling her thesis, ‘Dragons on the farm: A novel approach to determining dragonfly diet in agroecosystems', into a 3-minute video for a public audience was an interesting challenge.
To find out more about Maggie’s initial interest in the competition, her approached to the task, her initial “shock” to have won and what’s next for her and her competitors see full Q&A on our website!
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MUSEUM SCHOLARSHIP AND MATERIAL CULTURE PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS JAYD'S RESEARCH AND EFFORTS IN DEI
Museum Scholarship and Material Culture Graduate Certificate Program at University of Maryland spotlights entomology grad student Kristin Jayd, Burghardt Lab, in their 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."
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NEW ESO Grad Student Funding Opportunity - “Get Bugged”, Raupp Extension Award (REA)
Dr. Mike Raupp, Professor Emeritus, generously established this award after his retirement to support future generation of extension specialist.
The Raupp Award promotes and recognizes significant contributions in Extension and Outreach service by graduate students at the Department of Entomology. The award is up to $1000 and may be divided between applicants. Applications will be due August 15th of each year. More information can be found here: http://esoumd.weebly.com/student-awards.html
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STUDENTS SAY ‘THANK YOU’ TO EXITING ESO OFFICERS AND WELCOMES REPS FOR THE NEW YEAR
Arielle Arsenault-Benoit's tweet captures the outgoing officers dedication to stay connected even when students were not able to communicate in ordinary ways: Grateful for outgoing @EntoUmd officers for some awesome work and great efforts in this strange, remote year. Still feeling connected! Thanks Krisztina, Maggie, @SoSubtlyObvious, [Maria], @MaxFerlauto :)
June 1st ESO will welcome new officers, President Katy Evans, Vice President Tais Ribeiro and Communication Officer Maddie Potter. We wish you all the best!
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SPRING 2021 CORY UNDERGRADUATE AWARD RECIPIENTS
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. Read more to find out about Elizabeth Butz, Sophia Barringer & Madison Tewey and their extraordinary efforts in Entomology here>>
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IN THE MEDIA (BROOD X & MORE)
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photo credit: Cicada Crew
CICADA CREW PREPARES DMV & BEYOND FOR BROOD X
Professor Paula Shrewsbury and Professor Emeritus Mike Raupp instructors of graduate seminar ENTM798N: Adventures in Extension, inspired students to create the Cicada Crew, an outreach effort to teach those in the area about the exciting prospects of Brood X. “The more you learn about [insects], the cooler they are,” Paula Shrewsbury told The Diamondback.
The Cicada Crew UMD not only manages a website that attracts over 600 visitors a week, they also create and distribute original content via social media & make the interview rounds with local and national news outlets. Below are just a few of their projects and media mentions, for more on what the Crew has been up to visit their website, https://cicadacrewumd.weebly.com/.
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photo credit: Emma Howells
A rare ecological learning opportunity with Brood X
Write up courtesy of AGNR
Daniel Gruner of Entomology led a class this semester, Principles of Ecology, that gave students the chance to take a deep dive into the emergence of the Brood X cicadas. Students across colleges and disciplines are studying the impact of soil temperature on the behavior and life of these large cicadas that only emerge every 17 years. A learning opportunity that doesn't come around very often, students are tracking soil temperatures at sites where cicadas emerged in 2004. As a result, a participant in the class happened to be one of the first to see cicadas emerging on campus! Although few have emerged as of yet, we can expect to see more and more as we have warmer days in the coming weeks. Learn more here>>
In addition to the MarylandToday article Dan has been joining the Cicada Crew on the Brood X media circuit, with a recent quote in The Washington Post "Brood awakening: Cicadas emerging across D.C. area"
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ALUM LISTS STEPS EVERYONE CAN TAKE TO SAVE THE INSECTS
UMD Alum, Dr. Akito Kawahara (Ph.D., 10’, Mitter Lab) encourages individuals to take eight simple actions to save insects from global decline.
- Convert lawns into diverse natural habitats
- Grow native plants
- Reduce pesticide and herbicide use
- Limit use of exterior lighting
- Lessen soap runoff from washing vehicles and building exteriors, and reduce use of driveway sealants and de-icing salts
- Counter negative perceptions of insects
- Become an educator, ambassador, and advocate for insect conservation
- Get involved in local politics, support science, and vote
In his article Akito includes a shout out to Prof Emeritus Mike Raupp for his actions in countering negative perceptions of insects through his blog Bug of the Week.
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Donate to Allen Steinhauer Scholarship Fund
Like what we do and interested in supporting Entomology Grads? Give to the Allen Steinhauer Scholarship Fund. This fund provides scholarships for graduate students who are advised by faculty members in the Department of Entomology.
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Support Entomology Student Organization
Excited about the Brood X emergence? Show your enthusiasm by displaying some cool cicada merch. UMD Entomology Student Organization (ESO) is selling shirts, masks, stickers and more. All profits go toward supporting ESO! Purchase at Teespring today.
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Support research, buy honey
The UMD Honey Bee Lab is carrying on a proud tradition of producing and selling honey from research colonies located on campus and at several Maryland farms. All the proceeds from the sale of honey directly support ongoing research. Read more»
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