:

From the chair, Jamie Strange, PhD

Hope springs eternal, and in spring 2022, we had many reasons to be hopeful. Our spring course enrollment increased. In fact, our molecular techniques course (taught by Pete Piermarini and Larry Phelan) exceeded capacity! We will hire at least two faculty this year; interviews for our forest entomologist position will occur in May, and our search for a faculty in turfgrass health (shared with the Department of Plant Pathology) has begun. We are also excited for a new faculty position as part of the RAISE (Race, Inclusion and Social Equity) initiative at Ohio State. We collaborated with the Departments of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics; and the School of Environment and Natural Resources as part of the new CFAES Urban HERO (Health, Environment, and Race Outcomes) collaborative to get a cluster hire approved in CFAES. Our position will focus on urban insect ecology, specifically with insects of public health interest in urban communities. This faculty search is planned for autumn 2022. 

Our faculty, staff, and students won several awards at the ESA-NCB meeting, CFAES award competition, and the CFAES Research Conference (full list of Entomology awardees), and we were able to gather in person to celebrate the accomplishments of our many Entomology award-winners at the 2021-2022 CFAES Awards Ceremony. Our efforts to aid undergraduate students by raising scholarship funds have started to bear fruit. In the first six months we have raised $18,070—20% of our goal! Click to learn more about this effort and donate here.

We are also happy for Jim Hacker, our CFAES Wooster research associate, who retired after 32 years of service. Hacker helped with trapped flying squirrels, bats in our hallways, equipment breakdowns, and coordinating the move to the new Wooster Science Building, among many other duties. We wish Jim Hacker the best.

As we wrap up the spring semester, we hope to see many more of you at our upcoming Wooster Science Building Open House: save the date of May 19 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., which will overlap with our annual Entomology Spring Awards Picnic. This will be an opportunity to tour our new labs in Wooster and the United Titanium Bug Zoo, as well as to connect with many in our Ohio State Entomology community.

Graduate Student Defenses and Next Steps

Master of Science, Entomology
Johanna Schwartz, Advisor: N. Johnson, Explorations in Scelionid Evolution and Diversity
Next Steps: PhD program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Liam Whiteman, Advisor: Jamie Strange, Bumble Bee Pathogen Prevalence Determined by Host Species and Vary Across Land Covers
Next Steps: Liam will be continuing his education in the CFAES Entomology PhD program at with Jamie’s lab.

Jonathan Lee-Rodriguez, Advisor: Luis Cañas, Transition Seminar: Using Environmental DNA to Detect and Identify Sweet Potato Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) in Greenhouse Grown Tomato Plants
Next Steps: Transition to CFAES Entomology PhD program with Luis’s lab (no master’s granted)

Doctor of Philosophy, Entomology
Kendall King, Advisor: N. Johnson, A Comprehensive Study of Trissolcus basalis Odorant Binding Proteins

Master in Plant Health Management (MPHM, a professional science master’s program)
Rachel Cochran, Advisor: Tilmon, Controlling slugs using cover crops - can it be done?

Olivia Lang, Advisors: Cañas, Leach, and Michel, 3D Printing: Engaging Stakeholders and Enhancing Extension
Next Steps: Olivia is pursuing a career in OSU Extension or CropKing.

Master of Science, Environmental Studies Graduate Program (ESGP)
Brandon Shannon, Advisor: Reed Johnson, Toxicity of Spray Adjuvants and Tank Mix Combinations to Honey Bees
Next Steps: Brandon will be transitioning to the CFAES environmental sciences graduate PhD program with Reed in Wooster.

Undergraduate Research Theses and Next Steps

Maria Fiorta, Advisor: Meuti, Understanding how light pollution affects mosquito blood-feeding and molecular biology
Next Steps: Gap year before applying to graduate school in marine biology

Taylor Lowmiller, Advisor: Meuti, Effects of Photoperiod on the Daily Activity of the Northern House Mosquito, Culex pipiens
Next Steps: Master of nursing program to become a nurse practitioner

Sydney Robare, Advisor: Meuti, Evaluating Geospatial, Human Behavioral, and Social Drivers of Mosquito Abundance and West Nile Virus Disease Risk
Next Steps: Master’s in public health from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Lizzy Sakulich, Advisor: Strange, Landscape heterogeneity drives population structure in four western bumble bee species
Next Steps: Lizzy is an SENR forestry, fisheries, and wildlife major minoring in entomology. She will graduate with her BS in May and will be joining Karen Goodell’s lab for an MS this fall.

Bold indicates current department member or student. *Indicates former PhD/MS student, post-doc, visiting scholar, or undergraduate advised by CFAES Department of Entomology faculty.

Faculty

Grant Awards

Mary Gardiner, Jamie Strange, “DISES: Addressing dynamic landscape inequalities in human well-being and bee health by greening”, National Science Foundation, Dynamic Coupled Natural-Human Systems Program. $1,599,942 (09/01/2022-08/31/2027)

Mary Gardiner, Chris Riley*, “From twigs to trees: Harnessing vacant land for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation”, The MITRE Corporation. $400,050 (05/01/2022-04/30/2025)

Hongmei Li-Byarlay, Reed Johnson, “Biotic And Abiotic Stresses In Honey Bees And Pollinators”, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. $300,000

Megan Meuti, Mary Gardiner, “Evaluating the health and environmental impacts of mosquito management”. Engaged Scholarship Consortium. $5,000.

Andy Michel, “Remembering a forgotten pest: Bt resistance and monitoring in European Corn Borer”, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. $499,928. (09/01/2022-08/31/2025)

Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon, “FORAGE: Fall armyworm outreach and research for alfalfa growers and educators”, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. $868,104. (09/01/2022-08/31/2025)

Pete Piermarini, “Developing botanical-derived chemical tools for controlling mosquito vectors”, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, R56AI158674. $648,358 (05/01/2022-04/30/2023)

Sarah Short “The effect of the microbiota on male Aedes aegypti life history traits”, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, R21AI174093. $433,125 (11/22/2022-10/24/2024)

Kelley Tilmon, “Monitoring and management of soybean insect pests”, Ohio Soybean Council. $60,000.

Kelley Tilmon, “Research and extension on emerging soybean pests in the North Central region”, North Central Soybean Research Program. $571,234.

Jamie Strange, “CRP impacts on habitat” Ohio State USDA Farm Service Agency. $166,478.

Honors

Megan Meuti, participant in the CFAES Strategic Alignment for Research Success (STARS) Program

Larry Phelan, keynote speaker, Workshop for Advanced Training, Center for Environmental & Sustainable Research. Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal. Oct. 24, 2022. “Identifying first principles to redesign agroecosystems for sustainability and resilience”

CFAES Award Nominations

Mary Gardiner, Distinguished Graduate Student Mentor Award, Office of Research and Graduate Education

Reed Johnson, Distinguished Junior Faculty Research Award, Office of Research and Graduate Education

Megan Meuti, Distinguished Undergraduate Academic Advisor/Mentor Award, Office of Academic Programs

Ben Philip, Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer Award, Office of Academic Programs

Pete Piermarini, Distinguished Teacher Award, Office of Academic Programs

Joe Raczkowski, Rodney F. Plimpton Distinguished Early Career Teacher Award, Office of Academic Programs

Sarah Short, Distinguished Early Career Extension Faculty Award, OSU Extension

Kelley Tilmon, Distinguished Extension Faculty Award, OSU Extension

Staff

Honors

Scott Wolfe, researcher 2, lab safety and building coordinator, Staff Career Development Grant, $1250 to attend the Conviron Service Technician Seminar

Sarah DeVilbiss, administrative assistant 4, CFAES Staff Advisory Council vice president

Maggie Lewis, NSF postdoctoral fellow, Entomological Society of America John Henry Comstock award

CFAES Award Nominations

Sarah DeVilbiss, administrative assistant 4, The Shirley Brooks-Jones Citizenship Award, CFAES Staff Advisory Council

Erin Parker, administrative assistant 2, Special Recognition, CFAES Staff Advisory Council

Jeni Ruisch, Insectary and BUGmobile outreach program director, Innovation Award, CFAES Staff Advisory Council

Graduate Students

Honors

Lydia Fyie, Advisor: Gardiner and Meuti. DeLong Award for Best Overall Student Presentation

Kyle Akred, Advisor: Tilmon. Root Award for Excellence in Agricultural and Urban Entomology: Agricultural Research

Carlee Shepard, Advisor: Gardiner. Root Award for Excellence in Agricultural and Urban Entomology: Urban Research

Olivia Lang, Advisors: Cañas, Leach and Michel. CFAES Graduate Student Advisory Committee Chair

Grant Awards & Fellowships

Michelle Pham, Advisor: Gardiner. Pollinator Health Travel Award, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, $1,800

Dante Centuori, Advisor: Strange. University Fellowship and CFAES Director’s Fellowship

Lydia Fyie, Advisors: Gardiner and Meuti. Presidential Fellowship

Sarah Scott, Advisor: Gardiner. Royal Society Newton International Fellowship

Entomological Society of America Annual Research Competition Awards

Kyle Akred, Advisor: Tilmon. 1^st place, Ten Minute Paper (TMP) session, Plant-Insect Ecosystems (P-IE): IPM - Field Crops 2. “Determining the relationship between Asiatic garden beetle larval density and damage to field corn”

Lucy Guarnieri, Advisor: Gardiner. 1^st place, TMP session, Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology (MUVE) and P-IE: Biodiversity and Ecology. “Does tolerance to metal pollution facilitate the dominance of the wolf spider Pardosa milvina in cities?”

Frederico Hickmann, Advisor: Michel, Meuti & A. Correa, Univ. de Sao Paulo. 1^st place, TMP session, Physiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology: Genetics and RNAi. “Gene expression profiling of diapausing Euschistus stink bugs”

Olivia Lang, Advisors: Cañas, Leach and Michel.  2^nd place, TMP session, MUVE and P-IE: Pests, Extension, and Forensic. “Seeing what’s not there: 3D printing as a tool to improve invasive species detection and identification”

Dom Magistrado, Advisor: Short. 2^nd place, TMP session, MUVE: Molecular and Cellular Biology. “Immune defense and the unfolded protein response in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes”

Michelle Pham, Advisor: Gardiner. 1^st place, TMP session, P-IE: Conservation and Ecology 1. “Reclaiming vacant land to support stormwater management and insect habitat”

Grace Sward, Advisor: Cañas.  2^nd place, TMP session, P-IE: IPM and Insecticide Resistance. “A peek at how different oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) hunting strategies can impact fungus gnat (Lycoriella spp.) management”

Ana Trabanino Pino, Advisor: Michel.  2^nd place, TMP session, P-IE: IPM - Field Crops 1. “Near-infrared spectroscopy as a novel tool to identify Lepidopteran infested maize”

Liam Whiteman, Advisor: Strange. 1^st place, Poster session: P-IE: Social Insects and Conservation. “Bumble bee pathogens across an urban to rural gradient”

Undergraduate Students

Grant Awards & Entomology Scholarships

Sydney Robare, Advisor: Meuti. Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship $5,928. “Characterizing social and educational drivers of mosquito abundance and disease risk.”

Regan Draeger, Entomology DK & FF Smith Scholarship

Entomological Society of America Annual Research Competition

Lizzy Sakulich, Advisor: Strange. 1^st place, Undergraduate Poster session: Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity: Social Insects and Conservation. “Effects of landscape isolation on bumble bee population genetics”

Undergraduate Research Theses

Christiana Arkorful-Bondzie, Advisor: Meuti. Undergraduate Research Thesis, “Do seasonal differences in the ejaculate of male mosquitoes affect the longevity of female Northern house mosquitoes?”

Olivia Bianco, Advisor: Meuti. Honors Research Thesis, “Measuring the Effect of Royal Jelly on the Seasonal Responses and Metabolic Profile of Culex pipiens”

Nicole Sammons, Advisor: R. Johnson. Undergraduate Research Thesis, “Fungi Effects on Varroa Mites”

Faculty Honors and Awards

Honors - faculty

Casey Hoy: 2021 Fellow of the Entomological Society of America

Luis Cañas: 2021 CFAES Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award, CFAES Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Jim Jasinski, CFAES Integrated Pest Management Team Lead: 2021 OSU Distinguished Multi-disciplinary Team Extension Award, OSU Extension

Grant AwardS - faculty

Norman Johnson, Principal Investigator, National Science Foundation, “CSBR: An inordinate fondness for beetles—expanding access to the Triplehorn collection of Coleoptera, phase 2,” 2021–24, $484,967.

Megan Meuti, Entomology, and Laura Pomeroy, Environmental Health Sciences. CFAES Internal Grants Program, New Researcher Incentive, "Determining the relative contributions of mosquito biting behavior and seasonal responses in West Nile virus transmission." $49,823.

Ryan Winston, FABE, and Sarah Short, Entomology. CFAES Internal Grants Program, New Researcher Incentive, "Protecting Public Health through Vector Control and Stormwater Treatment: Locating Vulnerabilities in Stormwater Infrastructure that Support Mosquito Reproduction", $49,981.

Guilherme Signorini, HCS, Luis Canas, Entomology, Alex Lindsey, HCS, and Amanda Bowling, ACEL.  CFAES Internal Grants Program, New Researcher Incentive, "Specialty Crop Growers Attitudes and Motivations Towards Biopesticides", $49,996.

 

Staff Honors and Awards

OSU Extension Awards

Denise Ellsworth, Pollinator Education Program Director: Distinguished Extension Professional Award 

Amy Raudenbush, Research Associate 2, Tilmon Lab Manager: Distinguished Early Career Extension Professional Award

CFAES Staff Advisory Council Awards

Jeni Filbrun, UTBZ Program Manager: Innovation Award for developing and/or participating in project initiatives and/or process operations improvements that enhance CFAES, Extension, ATI, or OARDC and its mission.

Nuris Acosta, Research Assistant 2, Canas and Michel Labs: Special Recognition Award for going above and beyond job duties, special commitment to tasks, positive customer service, and improving workplace communications.

2021 Outreach and Engagement Professional Development Grant

Suranga Basnagala, Research Associate 1, CFAES, Entomology, Tilmon Lab, Wooster: Ohio State Outreach and Engagement Professional Development Grant provides staff working in outreach and engagement the opportunity to further their career growth and development.

 

Graduate Student Honors and Awards

DeLong and Root graduate student Competition

The Dwight DeLong Competition provides support for students to attend professional meetings in entomology and other student-oriented departmental purposes to promote excellence in teaching and research. Established in 1985 by family, friends, colleagues and former students of Dwight DeLong, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Entomology.

Dylan Ricke, Advisor: R. Johnson and Caralee Shepard, Advisor: Gardiner—DeLong Talk Award

Johanna Schwartz, Advisor: N. Johnson—DeLong Poster Award

The Jack and Helen Root Agricultural and Urban Entomology Award provides support to graduate students studying agricultural or urban entomology to attend professional meetings. The Entomology Travel Endowment Fund was established in 2003 by Jack and Helen Root.

Valerie Anderson, Advisor: Cañas—Root Award, Agricultural Research

Michelle Pham, Advisor: Gardiner—Root Award, Urban Research

Entomological Society of America Annual student Research Competition

ESA Graduate Poster Competition

Dylan Ricke, Advisor: R. Johnson—1st Place, Plant-Insect Ecosystems: Pollinators And Pollination

ESA Graduate 10-Minute Paper Presentations

Dominique Magistrado, Advisor: Short—1st Place, Medical, Urban, and Veterinary Entomology: Mosquitos

Hannah McKenzie, Advisor: R. Johnson—1st Place, Plant-Insect Ecosystems: Pollinators

Adrian Pekarcik, Advisor: Tilmon—2nd Place, Plant-Insect Ecosystems: Conservation and Invasive Species

Sarah Scott, Advisor: Gardiner—1st Place, Plant-Insect Ecosystems: Behavior

ESA Undergraduate 10-Minute Paper Presentations

Valerie Anderson, Advisor: Cañas—1st Place, Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Grant Awards - Graduate Student

Lydia Fyie, Shepard, C., Pham, M., DeGrand, J., Gardiner, M., and Meuti, M.E. OSU Sustainability Institute “Using The Ohio State University Campus to Determine Impact of Urban Heat Islands on Mosquito Seasonality.” $4,524.

Harper McMinn-Sauder. CFAES Internal Grants Program. "Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land as a nectar resource supporting honey bees in the Ohio agroecosystem."  $5,000.

James Radl. CFAES Internal Grants Program. "Microbiome Specificity between Endemic and Widespread Aedes Mosquitoes." $5,000.

Alden Siperstein. CFAES Internal Grants Program. "Characterizing seasonal changes in mosquito abundance." $5,000.

 

Undergraduate Student Honors

Undergraduate Entomology Scholarship Recipients, 2021–22

Austin Gruber: Loren F. Steiner Entomology Memorial Fund

Miabella Centuori: Osborn Scholarship Fund

Michaela Liptak: Harry S. Mesloh Scholarship

Lucas Sarko: Ralph Davidson Scholarship

Anthony Kanel: Ohio Pest Management Association Scholarship

 

Doctor of Philosophy, Entomology

Adrian Pekarcik, Advisor: Kelley Tilmon. “Ecology and management of the Asiatic garden beetle, Maladera formosae, in corn-soybean rotated agroecosystems”

Summer 2022 - Tae Lee, Advisor: Larry Phelan. “Behaviorally characterizing chemical cues from wood and nestmates that mediate food discovery in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar)”

Master of Science, Entomology

Dylan Ricke, Advisor: Reed Johnson. "Assessing the long-term risk posed by metal pollutants on honey bees and their colonies"

Summer 2022 - Karlan Forrester, Advisor: Reed Johnson. “Measuring factors affecting honey bee attraction to soybeans using nectar and bioacoustics monitoring”

Master in Plant Health Management

James Morris: Advisor: Andy Michel. "Assessment of Soybean Insect Populations in Southern Ohio"

Contributed by Denise Ellsworth, program director, Pollinator Education

Thanks to a USDA IPM grant, the pollinator health team (Denise and Mary Gardiner) launched the Plant by Numbers program in Ohio to educate gardeners about the use and importance of native perennials to pollinators. Three garden themes were unveiled this spring: Specialist Bees, Bumble Bees, and Butterflies and Moths. Each theme includes a garden design, a plant list, and growing instructions, all detailed in a full-color handout. In May, planting kits (plants, handouts, and signage) will be distributed to 80 education/demonstration sites across the state, many coordinated by or in cooperation with county offices of OSU Extension. Three additional themes will be launched in spring 2024.

Handouts and resources can be found at u.osu.edu/plantbynumbers.

Contributed by Jeni Ruisch, program director, Insectary and BUGmobile

BUGmobile takes off

The BUGmobile continued to pile on the miles this fall as it visited sites around central Ohio, and also opened in place for events at CFAES’ Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory. One of the highlights of this fall has been finally getting the opportunity to thank the Faustinis for their generous donation which helped this dream become reality. They were able to step onto the BUGmobile and see for themselves the novelty and value of this one-of-a-kind vehicle. We remain on the hunt for a truck to tow this mobile zoo/classroom/laboratory to its future engagements!

Farm Science Review was by all accounts a successful week of outreach, recruiting, and networking on the part of our department. *Thank you, thank you, thank you* to all those who were willing to volunteer their time to help with outreach events this summer, and those who will lend a hand in the future. We truly could not fulfill our mission without you!

Connect with us on instagram @osuentomology, or FaceBook @OhioStateEntomology

Featured Bug Zoo Arthropod

Blue Death Feigning beetle, Asbolus verrucosus
Habitat/Range: Southwestern United States, Sonoran Desert
Diet: Generalists, will eat pretty much anything. Carrion, fruits and vegetables, commercial fish and pet food.
Lifespan: Long-lived as adults. Anecdotal reports say that they can live over a decade.
Fun Fact: Blue death feigning beetles will strike a very dramatic pose and lay very still to deter predators. Their blue color comes from wax that they spread on their exoskeleton. This wax comes from glands on the beetle and prevents dehydration. If the beetles are exposed to water or highly humid air, they will turn black. They are prolific in the wild but are difficult or even impossible to breed in captivity.

Contributed by Denise Ellsworth, program director, Pollinator Education

Native Plants and Biodiversity

In 2022, 150 adult volunteers (OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists) enrolled in an online certificate course sponsored by the CFAES Department of Entomology entitled, “Native Plants and Biodiversity.” This six-week online course included webinars, readings, discussions, seminars and individual habitat enhancement projects based on course content. Lecturers included Douglas Tallamy, author Heather Holm, Ohio State professor Mary Gardiner and other experts. In-person field days in spring and summer provided additional opportunities for learning and networking, with locations including the Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens in Columbus; Kingwood Center in Mansfield; the Ohio State Mansfield campus; the Dawes Arboretum in Newark; and Bowyer Farm, part of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The Native Plants and Biodiversity course combined online experiences with in-person learning opportunities, providing a hybrid format to transition from fully virtual learning experiences to a “post-pandemic” educational format.  These course participants are now working in their local communities to teach others through displays, classes and events. This program was funded in part by Ohio State’s Integrated Pest Management grant.

Contributed by Jeni Filbrun, program manager, UTBZ

It has been one year ago this month that the first animal, our salmon pink bird-eating tarantula was on display in the UTBZ! We have been busy designing displays, securing the APHIS permit, and bringing the classroom to life! Be sure and check out the Ohio State Entomology UTBZ website, where we have been adding to the “Meet the Collection” section, and subscribe to the UTBZ blog! We have teamed up with our dedicated Insect Ambassador volunteers to bring you the latest happenings at the zoo!

Here are some recent activities in the UTBZ:

 

Featured Arthropods

Contributed by UTBZ Program Manager, Jeni Filbrun

Entomology welcomed benefactors from United Titanium Inc. (UTI), on Aug. 31, 2021, for the official ribbon cutting of the United Titanium Bug Zoo (UTBZ) and an up-close-and-personal visit with several of the inhabitants.

The UTBZ has made strides to become an interesting and educational destination to learn about the wonderful world of arthropods! Along with the live arthropod displays, we also have been focusing on the static displays that grace the large cases in the front lobby. The College of Wooster’s Natural History of Invertebrates class came to discuss careers in Entomology. They helped create a display using the “six degrees of separation” activity for the field of Entomology. From the varied career paths of the class, the display showcases how any career can be enhanced with an Entomology degree.

Contributed by Pollinator Education Program Director, Denise Ellsworth

The Bee Short Course for Community Scientists was a seven-part monthly webinar series (May–November 2021) developed to enhance the skills of community scientists interested in wild bee conservation. Participants from across the country and across the globe took part in live monthly sessions focused on bee biology, bee botany, photography, data collection, and the role of community science in conservation and advocacy. A total of 3,189 participants registered for The Bee Short Course with live webinar attendance averaging over 1,000 participants per session. Views of recordings on YouTube averaged 730 per session. 

Due to the success of this effort and the enthusiasm of participants, The Bumble Bee Short Course will launch in spring 2022. This program is a collaborative effort from Ohio State’s Department of Entomology and the Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens, in partnership with the U.S. National Native Bee Monitoring Research Coordination Network (RCN). Funding was provided in part by a USDA/NIFA Integrated Pest Management Pollinator Health grant with support from Davey Tree Expert Company. Learn more and find links to resources and recordings on The Bee Short Course webpage.

Upcoming Webinar Series
Tending Nature: Native Plants and Every Gardener's Role in Fostering Biodiversity
Six-session webinar speaker series focused on the ecological roles of native plants and some of the creatures that depend on them each Friday for 6 weeks from January 7th through February 11th, at 10AM EASTERN. Join live sessions or connect to webinar recordings on the Tending Nature webpage. 

Luis Cañas fills multiple roles at Ohio State. In addition to being Associate Professor in Entomology, he is the Extension State Specialist for Controlled Environment Entomology and Director of International Programs in Agriculture at CFAES.

The Cañas research program focuses on integrated pest management of insects in controlled environments. His research investigates the use of integrated pest management tactics such as cultural, biological, and chemical control, and provides applied solutions to problems caused by thrips, whiteflies, and mites among others. Luis is the Extension state specialist for controlled environment entomology and provides pest management support and education for growers, industry representatives, and county Extension educators. His lab has one research associate, Nuris Acosta, and four graduate students, Grace Sward, Jonathan Lee-Rodriguez, Valerie Anderson, and Olivia Lang. Luis teaches three graduate level courses on integrated pest management, biological control, and greenhouse pests and plant health.

Contributed by UTBZ Program Manager, Jeni Filbrun

The Ant, family Formicidae, order Hymenoptera
Who rules the world? Ants of course!  At the United Titanium Bug Zoo we have ant colonies. If you have a keen eye, you can spot the queen. As social insects, ants all work as a team caring for the brood to ensure a healthy colony. Ants are also farmers! They tend to aphids to increase their production of “honeydew,” which is the excretions of the aphids.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Bold indicates current dept member or student. *indicates recently graduated PhD/MS student, post-doc, visiting scholar, or undergraduate, advised by CFAES Entomology faculty.

1. Arnold, M.B., Back, M., Crowell, M.D. Farooq, N., Ghimire, P., Obarein, O.A., Smart, K.E., Taucher, T., VanderJeugdt, E., Perry, K.I., Landis, D.A., Bahlai C.A. Coexistence between similar invaders: The case of two cosmopolitan exotic species. Ecology, 104(4): e3979. 2023.
2. Martinez Villegas, L.E.; Radl, J.; Dimopoulos, G.; Short, S.M. Bacterial communities of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes differ between crop and midgut tissues. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. In press.
3. Pekarcik, A.J.*, Lorentz, M.O*, Clem, C.S, Raudenbush, A.L., Held, D.W., Tilmon, K.J. Preliminary Feeding Assessments for Asiatic Garden Beetle, Maladera formosae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Grubs and Adults. The Great Lakes Entomologist, 55 (2). 2022.
4. Meuti, M.E., Siperstein, A., Wolkoff, M. Points to consider when establishing and rearing Culex mosquitoes in the laboratory. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 2023.
5. Meuti, M.E., Siperstein, A., Wolkoff, M. Rearing and maintaining a Culex colony in the laboratory. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 2023.
6. Meuti, M.E., Siperstein, A., Wolkoff, M. Establishing a Culex Colony from Field-Collected Eggs. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 2023.
7. Tomich, T.P., Hoy, C., Dimock, M.R., Hollander, A.D., Huber, P.R., Hyder, A., Lange, M.C., Riggle, C.M., Roberts, M.T., Quinn, J.F. Why Do We Need Food Systems Informatics? Introduction to This Special Collection on Smart and Connected Regional Food Systems. Sustainability, 15, 2023.
8. Wolkoff, M., Fyie, L., Meuti, M. Light pollution disrupts seasonal differences in the daily activity and metabolic profiles of the Northern House mosquito, Culex pipiens. Insects, 14 (1), 64.

Extension Products

1. 3D Printed Asian and European Jumping Worm Key Tag, Basnagala, Perry, 2023.
2. 3D Printed Spotted Lanternfly Life Cycle, Basnagala, Leach, 2023.
3. 3D Printed Aphid Aspirator, Haller, Lewis, Michel, 2023.
4. 3D Printed Soybean Frog Eye Leaf Spot Model, Lang, Basnagala, Michel, 2023. 
5. 3D Printed Spotted Lanternfly Egg Mass Keychain and Extension Scavenger Hunt, Lang, Basnagala, Leach, Michel, 2023.
6. 3D Printed Soybean Leaf Defoliation Keychain Guide and Extension Defoliation Activity, Lang, Basnagala, Tilmon, Raudenbush, Michel, 2023.
7. 3D Printed Cereal Leaf Beetle Larva, Basnagala, Michel, Raudenbush, 2022.
8. 3D Printed European Corn Borer Pupae Hibernation Cage, Basnagala, Michel, 2022.
9. 3D Printed European Corn Borer Pupae Hibernation Chambers, Basnagala, Michel, 2022. 
10. 3D Printed Larval Sizing Key Tag, Basnagala, Michel, Raudenbush, 2022.
11. 3D Printed Soybean Gall Midge Key Tag, Basnagala, Michel, Raudenbush, 2022.
12. 3D Printed Stink Bug Trapping Cage, Basnagala, 2022.
13. 3D Printed Aphid Rearing Cages, Lewis, Haller, 2022.
14. 3D Printed European Corn Borer Egg Masses, Michel, Basnagala, 2022.

Courses Taught by CFAES Entomology Faculty

Carol Anelli
ENTMLGY 3797.01E Evolution in Darwin's World and Ours: Context, 2 units (7 students), co-taught with Jamie Strange
Associated course ENTMLGY 3797.02 will travel to England in May 2023
ENTMLGY 6193 Individual Studies, Graduate, 1–6 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 7910 Nature and Practice of Science, 2 units (10 students)

Luis Cañas
ENTMLGY 5500 Biological Control of Arthropod Pests, 3 units (22 students)
ENTMLGY 5600 Principles and Applications of Integrated Pest Management, 3 units (29 students)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 8998 Research in Entomology, PhD Pre-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 8999 Research in Entomology, PhD Post-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)

Mary Gardiner
ENTMLGY 4998 Research in Entomology, Undergraduate, 1–3 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 7920 Presentation Skills, 2 units (11 students), co-taught with Kelley Tilmon
ENTMLGY 8998 Research in Entomology, PhD Pre-Candidacy, 1–16 units (3 students)
ENTMLGY 8999 Research in Entomology, PhD Post-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)

Norman Johnson
ENTMLGY 6210 Evolution and Diversity of Insects, lecture and lab, 4 units, (11 students)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 8999 Research in Entomology, PhD Post-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)

Reed Johnson
ENTMLGY 2200 Beekeeping, lecture and lab, 3 units (46 students)
ENTMLGY 5800 Pesticide Science, 3 units (8 students)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (1 student)

Ellen Klinger
ENTMLGY 1101 Insect Biology, lecture and lab, 4 units (37 students)
ENTMLGY 2101 Insects and Human Affairs: Pests, Plagues, Poisons and Politics, lecture, 3 units (62 students)
ENTMLGY 2102 Insects and Human Affairs: Pests, Plagues, Poisons and Politics, lab, 1 unit (16 students)
ENTMLGY 5121 Insect Pathology, 3 units (6 students), co-taught with Sarah Short

Ashley Leach
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (1 student)

Bruce McPheron
ENTMLGY 2400H Evaluating Evidence in Biology and Medicine, 3 units (8 students)

Megan Meuti
ENTMLGY 1350 The Biology of Hope and Belief, 3 units (58 distance learning; 8 in-person students)
ENTMLGY 4999H Honors Research with Distinction, 1–5 units (3 students)
ENTMLGY 4999 Research with Distinction, 1–5 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 8998 Research in Entomology, PhD Pre-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 8999 Research in Entomology, PhD Post-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)

Andy Michel
ENTMLGY 6502 Mentored Extension Entomology, 1–3 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (2 students)

Pete Piermarini
ENTMLGY 4607 Veterinary Entomology, online, 2 units (325 students)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (1 student)

Larry Phelan
ENTMLGY/EEOB 5490 Insect Behavior, 3 units (13 students)

Ben Philip
ENTMLGY 2400H Evaluating Evidence in Biology and Medicine, 3 units (3 students)
ENTMLGY 5604 Capstone Course: Problem-Based Studies in Plant Health, 2 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 5608 Turfgrass Insect and Mite Pests: Identification, Biology, and Management, 2 units (7 students)
ENTMLGY 5609 Landscape Ornamental Plant Insect and Mite Pests: Identification, Biology and Management, 3 units (9 students)

Joe Raczkowski
ENTMLGY 3100 Insect Symbioses, 3 units (5 students)
ENTMLGY 4000 General Entomology, 3 units (64 students)
ENTMLGY 4191 Internship Experiences in Entomology, 1–2 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 4440H Honors Social Insects, 3 units (10 students)
ENTMLGY 4600 Introduction to Insect Science, 1 unit (first session: 181 students, second session: 95 students)

Sarah Short
ENTMLGY 5121 Insect Pathology, 3 units (6 students), co-taught with Ellen Klinger
ENTMLGY 8998 Research in Entomology, PhD Pre-Candidacy, 1–16 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 8999 Research in Entomology, PhD Post-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)

Jamie Strange
ENTMLGY 3797.01E Evolution in Darwin’s World and Ours: Context, 2 units (7 students), co-taught with Carol Anelli
Associated course ENTMLGY 3797.02 will travel to England in summer 2023
ENTMLGY 4999H Honors Research with Distinction, 1–5 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 8998 Research in Entomology, PhD Pre-Candidacy, 1–16 units (2 students)

Kelley Tilmon
ENTMLGY 7920 Presentation Skills, 2 units (11 students), co-taught with Mary Gardiner
ENTMLGY 8000 Entomology Seminar, 1 unit (4 students)

Additional Offering for Entomology
ENTMLGY 5110 Ecology and Management of Insects and Pathogens Affecting Trees in Forest and Urban Environments, 3 units, with Bonello and Klooster (26 students)

Spring 2022 Extension Materials

Identification, monitoring, & management of Asiatic Garden Beetle in Field Crops. Adrian Pekarcik, Kelley Tilmon, Eric Richer, Chris DiFonzo, Bruce Mackellar, updated 2022

 

Field guide to stink bugs of Ohio soybean. Amy Raudenbush, Suranga Basnagala, Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel, updated 2022.

 

Soybean Defoliation Post Card. Amy Raudenbush, Kelley Tilmon, Nick Seiter

 

3D Printed Spotted Lanternfly Egg Mass Keychain. Olivia Lang, Suranga Basnagala, Andy Michel, Ashley Leach and Luis Canas. 2021.

 

Spring 2022 Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Bold indicates current dept member. *Indicates recent PhD/MS student, post-doc, visiting scholar, or undergraduate advised by Entomology faculty.

1. Caragata E, Short SM. 2022. Vector microbiota and immunity: modulating arthropod susceptibility to vertebrate pathogens. Current Opinion in Insect Science 50, 100875 doi: 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100875

2. Duong PC, McCabe T, Riley GF, Holmes HL, Piermarini PM, Romero MF, Gillen CM. 2022. Sequence analysis and function of mosquito aeCCC2 and Drosophila Ncc83 orthologs, Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 103729.

3. King K, Meuti ME, Johnson NF. 2021. Identification and expression of odorant binding proteins in the egg-parasitoid Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae, Telenominae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research.87:251–266. doi:10.3897/hjr.87.68954

4. Lahey Z*, Musetti L, Masner L, Johnson NF. 2021. Revision of Phoenoteleia Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae, Scelioninae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 87: 575–611. doi:10.3897/jhr.87.59794

5. Lahey Z, Talamas E, Masner L, Johnson NF. 2021. Revision of the Australian genus Alfredella Masner & Huggert (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae, Sceliotrachelinae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 87: 81–113. doi:10.3897/jhr.87.58368

6. Martínez Rodríguez EJ, Evans P, Kalsi M*, Rosenblatt N, Stanley M, Piermarini PM. 2022. Larvicidal Activity of Carbon Black against the Yellow Fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti, Insects, 13 307.

7. Perry KI*, Riley C*, Fan F, Radl J, Herms DA, Gardiner MM. 2022. The value of hybrid and non‐native ash for the conservation of ash specialists is limited following late stages of emerald ash borer invasion. Agricultural and Forest Entomology. doi: 10.1111/afe.12499.

8. Piermarini PM, Denton JS, Swale DR. 2022.  The Molecular Physiology and Toxicology of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels in Insects, Annual Review of Entomology, 67 125-142.

9. Scott SB, Sivakoff FS, Gardiner MM. 2022. Exposure to urban heavy metal contamination diminishes bumble bee colony growth. Urban Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-022-01206-x

10. van Noort S, Lahey Z*, Talamas E, Austin AD, Masner L, Polaszek A, Johnson NF. 2021. Review of Afrotropical sceliotracheline parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 87: 115–222. doi:10.3897/jhr.87.73770

11. Vasiliţi C, Popovici OA, Talamas E, Johnson N, Masner L, Tortorici F, Fusu L. 2021. Molecular analysis reveals Latonius planus Kononova to be a derived species of Trissolcus Ashmead. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 87:267–298. doi:10.3897/jhr.87.63533

 

Spring 2022 Courses by Entomology Faculty

Luis Canas
ENTMLGY 5500 Biological Control of Arthropod Pests, 3 units (21 students)
ENTMLGY 5600 Principles and Applications of Integrated Pest Management, 3 units (32 students)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 8998 Research in Entomology, PhD Pre-Candidacy, 1–16 units (2 students)

Mary Gardiner
ENTMLGY 8998 Research in Entomology, PhD Pre-Candidacy, 1–16 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 8999 Research in Entomology, PhD Post-Candidacy, 1–16 units (3 students)

Norman Johnson
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 8999 Research in Entomology, PhD Post-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)
EEOB 3320 Organismal Diversity, lab, 3 units (47 students)

Reed Johnson
ENTMLGY 2200 Beekeeping, lecture and lab, 3 units (66 students)
ENTMLGY 5800 Pesticide Science, 3 units (20 students)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (3 students)
ENTMLGY 8999 Research in Entomology, PhD Post-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)

Ellen Klinger
ENTMLGY 1101 Insect Biology, lecture and lab, 4 units (32 students)
ENTMLGY 2101 Insects and Human Affairs: Pests, Plagues, Poisons and Politics, 3 units (69 students)
ENTMLGY 2400H Evaluating Evidence in Biology and Medicine, 3 units (18 students)
ENTMLGY 5604 Capstone Course: Problem-Based Studies in Plant Health, 2 units (6 students)

Bruce McPheron
ENTMLGY 2400H Evaluating Evidence in Biology and Medicine, 3 units (17 students)

Megan Meuti
ENTMLGY 1350 The Biology of Hope and Belief, 3 units (132)
ENTMLGY 4999H Honors Research with Distinction, 1–5 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 4999 Research with Distinction, 1–5 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 8998 Research in Entomology, PhD Pre-Candidacy, 1–16 units (2 students)

Andy Michel
ENTMLGY 6193 Individual Studies, Graduate, 1-6 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 8998 Research in Entomology, PhD Pre-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)

Pete Piermarini
ENTMLGY 4607 Veterinary Entomology, online, 2 units (299 students)
ENTMLGY 6703 Molecular Techniques and Data Analysis, lecture and lab, 2 units (14 students)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (2 students)

Larry Phelan
ENTMLGY 6703 Molecular Techniques and Data Analysis, lecture and lab, 2 units (14 students)
ENTMLGY 8999 Research in Entomology, PhD Post-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)

Ben Philip
ENTMLGY 5608 Turfgrass Insect and Mite Pests- Identification, Biology, and Management, 2 units (10 students)
ENTMLGY 5609 Landscape Ornamental Plant Insect and Mite Pests - Identification, Biology and Management, 3 units (9 students)

Joe Raczkowski
ENTMLGY 3330H Social Insects, 3 units (11 students)
ENTMLGY 4191 Internship Experiences in Entomology, 1–2 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 4600 Introduction to Insect Science, 1 unit (first session: 194 students, second session: 94 students)

Sarah Short
ENTMLGY 4998 Undergraduate Research in Entomology, 1–3 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 4999H Honors Research with Distinction, 1–5 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 4999 Research with Distinction, 1–5 units (2 students)
ENTMLGY 8000 Entomology Seminar, 1 unit (3 students)
ENTMLGY 8998 Research in Entomology, PhD Pre-Candidacy, 1-16 units (4 students)

Jamie Strange
ENTMLGY 4999H Honors Research with Distinction, 1–5 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 5150 Pollinator Biology and Conservation, 2 units (5 students)
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (2 students)

Kelley Tilmon
ENTMLGY 7999 Research in Entomology, MS, 1–16 units (1 student)
ENTMLGY 8999 Research in Entomology, PhD Post-Candidacy, 1–16 units (1 student)

Research Focus: Metal contamination threatens bumble bee foraging efficiency in cities

Sarah Scott, Frances Sivakoff and Mary Gardiner

Post-industrial cities, including Cleveland, Ohio, have become focuses of urban greening initiatives due to their large holdings of vacant lands. These areas have a complex history of manufacturing, industrial activity, and deconstruction that has resulted in elevated metal contamination within the landscape. Urban bees are exposed to metals while foraging in contaminated landscapes at concentrations that cause elevated brood mortality. Sublethal exposure to certain metal pollutants challenge honey bee memory and recall abilities and reduce active foraging time on metal contaminated plants. However, the impact of sublethal metal consumption on bumble bee foraging ability was largely unknown.

The goal of our study was to determine if consuming concentrations of the metals arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, found in floral provisions within Cleveland influenced bumble bee forager behavior. We hypothesized that bumble bees fed metals will take fewer and shorter foraging trips outside of the colony due to challenged memory and learning. 

We tested our hypothesis using novel RFID tracking systems. First, bees from twenty-eight naïve Bombus impatiens colonies were tagged with unique RFID tags (Figure 1), and each colony was randomly assigned to a heavy metal treatment or control. For three days, we fed each colony either a sucrose solution (control), or the same solution dosed with arsenic, cadmium, chromium, or lead. Next, we removed these food sources and placed the colonies into a RFID system to forage in the natural environment at Waterman Agriculture and Natural Resources Laboratory in Columbus, OH, USA for 14 days. The RFID system were constructed from modified 10-frame deep honey bee boxes and had drilled ventilation holes, a lattice bottom, and were lined with aluminum mesh to allow airflow but prevent unwanted pests and volunteer bee entry into the unit (Figure 2). Each RFID unit had two antenna readers connected in series separated by a 3 cm Delrin resin block. Bees access the outside by passing through a pair of RFID readers along a 0.5 m polyethylene semi-clear tube (1/2 in diameter) connected to the outside environment (Figure 2). As bees moved through the paired readers, the individual RFID transponder tag with a time stamp was recorded and the antenna ID to determine the direction of movement (exiting to forage versus returning to the colony).

We found that there was no difference in the number of tagged bees that left their colony or the number of foraging trips taken per bee between control and treatment colonies.  However, chromium and cadmium fed bees performed shorter foraging bouts and were more likely to enter a non-natal colony at least one time compared to control bees. Our findings illustrate that sublethal chromium and cadmium consumption can effect bumble bee forage frequency, duration, and return navigation. Challenged navigation and memory performance has the potential to reduce the number of foragers returning with food resources and hinder colony success.

 Figure 1. Bombus impatiens with micro-RFID tag foraging on white clover. The RFID tags measured 1.0 x 1.5 x 0.5 mm and weighed 2.5 mg.

 

Figure 2. Our RFID tracking system was constructed out of modified honey bee boxes. Inside each box, a bumble bee colony was connected to the outside via an outlet tube that runs through two antenna readers separated by a 7.6 cm Delrin resin block. A tagged bee exiting the colony triggers the inside and then the outside antenna reader. A bee entering the colony triggers the outside and then the inside antenna reader. Two antennas in line provides directionality data.

Contributed by Erick Martinez Rodriguez, EGSA president

United Titanium Bug Zoo Open Houses

This free monthly event partners with the United Titanium Bug Zoo to host hundreds of people every second Saturday of the month in the Wooster Science Building on the CFAES Wooster campus. This is a unique opportunity for children and family members to interact with a wide variety of insects, handled and supervised by graduate students able to answer questions. For more information on our monthly Open Houses, please visit the United Titanium Bug Zoo website! 

Ohio State Student Involvement Fair

On January 18^th and 19^th EGSA was present alongside the undergraduate entomology student organization, Chrysalis, at the Ohio State Spring Student Involvement Fair in the Ohio Union. The Spring Student Involvement Fair provided new and returning students an opportunity to explore more options for their involvement. Student organizations hosted booths to inform and motivate students to join in the diversity of extracurricular options available to them.

Educational Workshops

On January 25^th, the EGSA Graduate Studies Committee organized an “Intro to Github” workshop hosted by Kayla Perry, Ph.D. Kayla is assistant professor of Forest Entomology and has wide experience in the field of statistics. The purpose of this workshop was to get students introduced to the Github tool, a code hosting platform that is very user-friendly, and allows you to collaborate and work on projects from anywhere. The 1-hour workshop was well attended and received amongst the EGSA members who had the opportunity to participate. EGSA plans to continue with the delivery of workshops on statistics and other topics this fall. We will keep you posted!

EGSA Hosts DeLong Seminar

On February 16th, the EGSA and Department seminar committees on the Columbus campus organized a seminar featuring Allison Gardner Ph.D. Gardner is Associate Professor of Arthropod Vector Biology in the School of Biology and Ecology at the University of Maine. Gardner's presentation centered on the ecological and social factors that contribute to the proliferation of vector-borne diseases, as part of the department's weekly seminar series. For additional details on the Entomology Department's seminar program, please visit their website! Entomology Department Seminar Series.

Insectary Tour

On Friday March 17^th, the Columbus Social Events and Outreach Committee organized a tour through our Entomology insectary, supervised by Jeni Ruisch. EGSA members had the opportunity to learn about the various critters that are usually displayed in the BUGmobile for Entomology outreach events. This tour serves as an opportunity for students to understand the importance of outreach events and the ways to get involved as a volunteer. For more information on the Insectary and the BUGmobile, please visit the department's website, Columbus Insectary and BUGmobile.

Earring Workshop

On Sunday March 19^th, EGSA member Iliana Moore hosted the second earring workshop in Wooster to craft jewelry for EGSA fundraising events. Hand-made jewelry of insects, made by our very own entomologists. For more pictures of this event, check out our website! EGSA Earring Workshop

Blue Jackets Night

On April 1^st, EGSA members gathered at the Nationwide Arena to watch the Blue Jackets take on the Florida Panthers! Although in the end we didn’t hear the famous cannons that are fired when the jackets score (we lost 7-0), it was a great opportunity to interact with members of both Columbus and Wooster campuses.

EGSA Retreat

On April 8^th – 9^th, the first EGSA Student Retreat took place in Killbuck, Ohio. The students had an opportunity to spend some quality time amongst colleagues from both campuses. In addition, four Entomology alumni were invited as guest panelist speakers to talk about different important topics that pertain graduate students, including topics like developing strategies and timelines for optimizing job hunts pre- and post-graduation, work-life balance as a graduate student in entomology, and the pros and cons of industry and academia. All attendees shared a great time amongst each other accompanied with a delicious meal. We are looking forward for next year’s retreat! For more, visit our website blog. EGSA Student Retreat

CFAES Olympics

On Friday April 14^th, EGSA participated in the CFAES Olympics. This is a fun event organized by the CFAES Student Council that took place at the Animal Science Building Arena. EGSA members had the opportunity to compete in the different activities that made up the Olympics, which included a Taste Test challenge, a Team Rally Competition, a Cornhole Tournament, a Building Challenge, and a Tug of War competition. Although the trophy was not won, EGSA learned a few tricks and will come stronger next year!

CFAES Student Organization Awards

EGSA was recognized by CFAES for their continuous involvement with the college, university, and the community. EGSA received both CFAES Student Organization Awards for which they applied: The Community Engagement Award, and the Outstanding New Activity Award. EGSA will work hard to continue our involvement with the community. Checkout the news article published by the department! EGSA wins CFAES Awards

Girls in STEM Day Camp

On the 15th of April, EGSA participated in the Girls in STEM Day Camp held at the College of Wooster, where they shared knowledge on the various career paths in entomology and the significant roles these tiny creatures play in our ecosystem. The participants also had the exciting chance to engage with the insects from the Wooster Bug Zoo that were brought in for the event.

Earth Day Festival

On April 22^nd, the United Titanium Bug Zoo staff led by Jeni Filbrun and EGSA members attended the Brown Family Environmental Center (BFEC), in Gambier, Ohio, for their annual Earth Day Festival. This free event gives children and families the opportunity to learn and interact through up-close encounters with amazing wildlife, including animals from the Ohio Nature Education, the Ohio Bird Sanctuary, and the Wooster Bug Zoo insects. For more information on the BFEC, check out their Facebook page! The Brown Family Environmental Center

Tae Lee Phd, and EGSA visit the 4-h Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camp

On April 29^th, the entomology department was present at the Ohio 4-H Forestry Wildlife Conservation Camp, in Jackson County, to talk about insects and their crucial importance in nature. This camp was organized by CFAES and is designed for campers from all over the state, ages of 14 through 18, to get together for a weekend and learn about forestry and wildlife education, fishing, tree climbing, hiking, Ohio Department of Natural Resources careers and college opportunities. This event takes place in the beautiful Canters Cave 4-H Camp. Visit the Ohio 4-H Youth Development website for more information about upcoming camps and the Canter’s cave 4-H Camp website for pictures and updates! Ohio 4-H Youth Development website | Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp

EGSA Monthly Student Spotlight

EGSA has continued to feature 3 current members in our monthly EGSA Student Spotlight! Get to know more about our members by checking out our website!