UMD Entomology
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umdentomology.bsky.social
UMD Entomology
@umdentomology.bsky.social
UMD's Department of Entomology makes new strides everyday in Ecology, Biology, Genetics, and Pest Management.
🦟UMD Alum Ben Burgunder (M.S. ’25, Fritz Lab) loves mosquitoes. He shares why even the peskiest species of mosquitoes are worth learning about. youtu.be/iUcaLgHRXxY?.... 🦟
🙏Thanks Natural History Society of Maryland for making this presentation available for broader audiences!
November 13, 2025 at 2:52 PM
🌳🪲Biocontrol has had mixed outcomes. In some cases it has proved to be effective in others it has failed. Dan Gruner, entomologist @UofMaryland, chats w/@undarkmag about balancing the ecological risks & benefits of biocontrol strategies.🪲🌳
go.umd.edu/24ny
November 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
🐝🧬 Globally, bumble bees have over 400 known color patterns - far more than the 265 bumble bee species. Dr. Heather Hines, Prof at Penn State, stops by UMD to share her investigations into the genetic basis of these color patterns. 🧬🐝 go.umd.edu/24j8
[Seminar Blog] A Tiger Can’t Change its Stripes, but a Bumble Bee Can!
Entomology Seminar Blog
go.umd.edu
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by UMD Entomology
Students: Are you ready for the 2nd annual Parasitoid Games at #EntSoc25? This networking opportunity is a great way to meet peers at the ESA Annual Meeting. What questions would you like to ask your host? Share in the comments and we may add them to the competition. www.entsoc.org/events/annua...
November 5, 2025 at 9:25 PM
🦟Turns out St. Leger Lab results are simply irresistible (queue the music🕺), to mosquitoes that is! St. Leger Lab helped develop a floral-scented fungus to attract and kill mosquitoes🦟
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/s...
This Genetically Engineered Fungus Could Help Fix Your Mosquito Problem
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:34 PM
🦟Fritz lab helps debunk mosquito myth👇
A new genetic study in Science overturns the myth of the “London Underground Mosquito,” revealing that this common urban insect originated not below the cities of modern Europe, but in ancient Mediterranean civilizations more than a thousand years ago. https://scim.ag/43xWovB
Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito
Understanding how life is adapting to urban environments represents an important challenge in evolutionary biology. In this work, we investigate a widely cited example of urban adaptation, Culex pipie...
scim.ag
October 31, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Reposted by UMD Entomology
A new genetic study in Science overturns the myth of the “London Underground Mosquito,” revealing that this common urban insect originated not below the cities of modern Europe, but in ancient Mediterranean civilizations more than a thousand years ago. https://scim.ag/43xWovB
Ancient origin of an urban underground mosquito
Understanding how life is adapting to urban environments represents an important challenge in evolutionary biology. In this work, we investigate a widely cited example of urban adaptation, Culex pipie...
scim.ag
October 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Making its first bugpearance on winter term schedule INSECT APOCALYPSE - REAL OR IMAGINED?
October 31, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Cleaning Dept of Ento cork boards unearthed these vintage insect information cards from Endangered Species Chocolate. Exciting to see insects showcased in conservation efforts during the late 90s and early 00s. Enjoy the throw back👇
October 31, 2025 at 2:13 PM
🧬 🐝 Dr. Stephania Sandoval Arango, USDA ARS Bee Research Lab, stopped by #UMD earlier this semester to explain why we shouldn't judge a bee by it's stripes alone. For more on her talk check out DNA on Display 🐝 🧬 go.umd.edu/2455
[Seminar Blog] Plant Phenology, Invasive Species, and Climate Change: A New Researcher in the Plant Sciences Department
Entomology Seminar Blog
go.umd.edu
October 28, 2025 at 6:29 PM
🌳🐛Our newest downstairs neighbors, Dr. Dan Buonaiuto, studies how climate change affects biodiversity and the functions of plant communities with a particular focus on phenology. His research has fascinating implications for Entomology, we’re thrilled to explore those connections!🐛🌳go.umd.edu/244j
October 28, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by UMD Entomology
Now that mosquitoes are evolving resistance against chemical pesticides, scientists are looking to nature in the fight against deadly insect-borne diseases.

@umdentomology.bsky.social's Raymond St. Leger helped develop a new way to trap mosquitoes: a fungus that smells like flowers ⤵️ #BugSky
Scientists Develop Floral-Scented Fungus That Lures Mosquitoes to Their Doom | College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences | University of Maryland
This new strain of fungus mimics flowers to attract and kill mosquitoes, offering a new weapon in the fight agai
go.umd.edu
October 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
🔬InsectTerps in action! Amy Goodman (UMD BioSci
major), intern at Entomology’s Lamp Lab is diving into research on wetland restoration. Today we caught up with her at a lab bench meticulously sorting arthropods from plant material. 🪲🌿
October 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
🔎🪲University of Maryland Insect Zoo is doing a double header this Saturday, not only teaming up with St. Mary's for some STEM fun but Carroll County Government Maryland too! Stop by these events to explore the amazing world of insects through hands-on stations. 🕷️🔍
October 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
🔎🪲UMD Insect Zoo is on tour this weekend, teaming up with St. Mary's for some STEM fun! Stop by to explore insects through hands-on stations. Learn cool bug facts, like how insects and other arthropods use mimicry to evade predators & the important role they play in our environment.🕷️🔍
October 23, 2025 at 1:25 PM
🌳🐝Interested in creating habitat for beneficial insects but just don't know where to start? Plant native! Ento Alums Lisa Kuder & Maddie Potter identify plants native to the region & explain how these plants support insect species with resources to thrive. go.umd.edu/23up 🐝🌳
MD Native Plant Guide Piedmont Region.pdf | Powered by Box
go.umd.edu
October 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
🎧 ‘To squish or not to squish?’ Michael Raupp, Professor Emeritus at University of Maryland shares current management strategies for spotted lanternflies.

🙏WAMU885 for reporting on insects and their impacts in the DMV!
wamu.org/story/25/10/...
'To squish or not to squish?': an insect expert's guide to spotted lanternflies
Michael Raupp at the University of Maryland, College Park and author of the "Bug of the Week" blog, gives all you need to know about spotted lanternflies.
wamu.org
October 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Reposted by UMD Entomology
New York health officials recently confirmed the state's first locally acquired case of the chikungunya virus.

See how @umdentomology.bsky.social's Raymond St. Leger is fighting chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases with fungi 🦟
Fighting Mosquitoes with Fungi
YouTube video by UMD Science
youtu.be
October 16, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by UMD Entomology
Maryland State Entomologist Max Ferlauto (Ph.D. '24, @umdentomology.bsky.social) spoke with @nytimes.com's @margaretroach.bsky.social about the role of fallen leaves in your yard's ecosystem 🍂 🪲🪳
Why Leaving the Leaves Is Better for Your Yard
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM
🎃🕸 Ento Alum, collaborators and friends - happen to be in the DMV Saturday, Oct 25th? Think about attending ESO's 2025 Oktoberfest. We would love to catch up! Need more details reach out to esoumd@gmail.com . 🕷🎃
October 10, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Not sure what to eat this weekend? Consider insects! The Lamp Lab shares the global benefits of entomophagy and tips on how, even the apprehensive, can introduce insects into their diets. 👇
today.umd.edu/surf-turf-an...
Surf, Turf—and Chirp? | Maryland Today
Entomology Team Delves Into Benefits, Challenges of Eating Insects
today.umd.edu
October 3, 2025 at 5:49 PM
📦🪲Package from Carolina Science arrived via FedEx today, and guess what's inside?! Bess beetles! Interested in seeing these decomposers in action? Stop by the Insect Zoo during Family Weekend 12:30 - 2 p.m. at McKeldin Mall (Armory if rain) familyweekend.umd.edu/%F0%9F%AA%B2...
October 3, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by UMD Entomology
The #ScienceTerps Pop-Up Shop is back! Order from a selection of T-shirts, Under Armour polos, quarter-zips, hats and more!

Open until October 13: umdcmnsfall25.itemorder.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:03 PM
🏙️🦌Dr. Travis Gallo, Asst Prof in UMD's Dept of Environmental Science and Technology, researches ways to make space for wildlife in a concrete jungle. This semester Dr. Gallo met up with the Dept of Entomology to share his vison for cities where both people & nature thrive.🏙️🦌https://go.umd.edu/22wb
September 29, 2025 at 6:54 PM
🦀A classic Maryland summer includes three prominent features: heat, humidity, & blue crabs. Before summer wrapped up we were honored to learn from Dr. J. Sook Chung, Prof at UMCES, about the life history & endocrinology of Maryland's favorite aquatic arthropod🦀 go.umd.edu/22vi
September 29, 2025 at 4:15 PM