Entomology Stridulations: Spring 2025

                              

Newletter Editor: Erin Parker

Department Updates

From the Chair, Jamie Strange, PhD, and the Associate Chair, Pete Piermarini, PhD

This spring has brought both change and celebration to the Department of Entomology at The Ohio State University. Amid shifting political landscapes and evolving funding priorities at both the state and national levels, our department remains steadfast in its mission to advance teaching, research, and Extension. Entomology continues to play a vital role in agriculture, natural resources, and public health, and we are proud to report continued enrollment growth in our undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as the development of dynamic new research initiatives led by our expanding faculty.

Our entomology community’s dedication is reflected in the many accomplishments of the semester. Graduate students were honored with departmental awards: Caralee Shepard received the Susan W. Fisher Teaching Award, Henry Rice earned the James E. Tew Extension Award, and Erick Martinez Rodriguez was recognized with the Lowell R. “Skip” Nault Research Award. Faculty achievements were equally impressive—Dr. Mary Gardiner was named a Distinguished Professor of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences, and several instructors were recognized by the Entomological Society of America for teaching innovation. The United Titanium Bug Zoo was celebrated by Ohio State as a Program of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship, and our department secured competitive grants from the Department of Defense, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and CFAES. These successes underscore our commitment to advancing knowledge and engaging communities across Ohio and beyond.

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Student Milestones

Honoring the achievements of our spring graduates as they embark on new journeys in science, service, and discovery!

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Entomology Major

• Kyle Kelley
• Michaela Liptak
• Liam Richards
• Wanghao Shen
• Abby Subler

Master of Science, Entomology

• Chloe Chiu, Advisor: Meuti. Uncovering reproductive consequences of seasonal differences in mosquito ejaculate
• Amber Stiller, Advisor: Ward. Evaluating the viability of augmentative biological control as a management tool for crapemyrtle bark scale 

Transition from M.S. to Ph.D. program in Entomology

• Arnol Gomez, Advisor: Leach
• Nicki Joseph, Advisor: Short

Environmental Sciences Graduate Program

• Brandon Shannon, Advisor: Johnson. Doctor of Philosophy, The risks and benefits of adjuvants to honey bees

• Hannah Dehus, Advisor: Meuti. Master of Science, Investigating urban mosquito ecology and mosquito management

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Awards & Honors

Celebrating the achievements of our students, faculty and staff.

Graduate Students

Honors

Ohio State Entomology recently honored graduate students who exemplify the highest standards in entomology and dedication to advancing science, education, and community impact:

• Caralee Shepard, Advisor: Mary Gardiner, Susan W. Fisher Teaching Award, Department of Entomology Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Teaching
• Erick Martinez Rodriguez, Advisor: Pete Piermarini, Lowell R. (“Skip”) Nault Research Award, Department of Entomology Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Research
• Henry Rice, Advisor: Shaohui Wu, James E. Tew Extension Award, Department of Entomology Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Extension
• Entomology Graduate Student Association, CFAES Student Organization Excellence Award for Community Engagement

Research Competition Awards

• Lily Johnson, Advisor: Johnson, 1^st place, PhD Oral Presentation, American Bee Research Conference
• Brandon Shannon, Advisor: Johnson, Exceptional Student Award, American Association of Apicultural Professionals

Entomological Society of America North Central Branch (ESA NCB) Student Competition

• Cole Knaus, Advisor: Strange, 1st place, Masters Poster
• Henry Rice, Advisor Wu, 2nd place, MS, Graduate 10-Minute Oral Presentation
• Danna Vera, Advisor: Michel, 3rd place, PhD I, Graduate 10-Minute Oral Presentation
• Angel Haller, Advisor: Michel, 3rd place, PhD II, Graduate 10-Minute Oral Presentation
• Caralee Shepard, Advisor: Gardiner, 3rd place, PhD III, Graduate 10-Minute Oral Presentation
• Lucy Guarnieri, Adam Foster, Angel Haller, Danna Vera, Finalists in Entomology Games

American Mosquito Control Association

• Hannah Dehus, Advisor: Meuti, Selected for AMCA Young Professionals Industry Shadowing Program
• Paola Feliciano, Advisor: Piermarini, 1^st Place, Best Student Poster Presentation 

11th International Integrated Pest Management Symposium

• Breh Ruger, Advisor: Leach, 2nd place, Student Presentation Competition
• Arnol Gomez, Advisor: Leach, Honorable Mention, Student Presentation Competition

Grant, Fellowship & Scholarship Awards

• Paola Feliciano, Advisor: Piermarini. Characterization of the Intrinsic Insecticidal Activities of Geraniol against the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, CFAES Internal Grant Program (IGP), $5,000
• Arnol Gomez, Advisor: Leach. The enemy of my enemy is the best pest control: Reduced-risk pest management to support biological control, CFAES IGP, $5,000
• Thomas Paul, Advisor: Ward. Determining effects of temperature on development of non-native, tree-killing pests frequently arriving via international trade, CFAES IGP, $4,968
• Aaron Tayal, Advisor: Perry. What can explain the ongoing recovery of ash (Fraxinus) trees in swamp forests of southeast Michigan, USA? CFAES IGP, $5,000
• Danna Vera, Advisor: Michel. Evaluating the Residual Efficacy of Insecticides on Fall Armyworm Larvae in Alfalfa Plants Under Constant and Oscillating Temperature Conditions, CFAES IGP, $4,830
• Jessi Raubenolt, Advisor: Perry & Ward. Honorable Mention in the 2025 U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Undergraduate Students

Honors

• Michaela Liptak, Advisor: Raczkowski, CFAES Distinguished Senior Award
• Alma Anzalone, Mentor: Meuti, Research Distinction in Entomology: Identifying Seasonal Differences in the Transcript Abundance of Seminal Fluid Proteins in Male Tiger Mosquitoes
• Alma Anzalone, Mentor: Meuti, CFAES Research Forum Poster Competition, 1^st place, Entomology
• Rhose Cellah Demarest, Mentor: Short, CFAES Research Forum Poster Competition, 2^nd place, Entomology
• Allison Davis, Mentor: Johnson, CFAES Research Forum Poster Competition, 3rd place, Entomology
• Addison Ashe Copen, Mentor: Gardiner, 2nd place, ESA NCB Student Competition, 10-Minute Oral Presentation
• David Narayanan, Mentor: Gardiner, 2nd place, ESA NCB Student Competition, 10-Minute Oral Presentation
• Lauren Petronella, incoming Entomology Undergraduate Student, 1^st place, Undergraduate Oral Presentation, American Bee Research Conference

Grant & scholarship awards

• Addison Ashe Copen, Mentor: Gardiner, Graduate Mentors: Lucy Guarnieri, Michelle Pham. North American Pollinator Protection Campaign Lepidoptera Grant, Pollinator Partnership
• Addison Ashe Copen, Mentor: Gardiner, Graduate Mentors: Lucy Guarnieri, Michelle Pham. Assessing the Value of Urban Conservation Habitats for Moth Larvae, CFAES IGP, $3,465
• Michaela Liptak, Cincinnati Zoo Busching/Morgan scholarship to attend the 2025 Invertebrates in Education and Conservation Conference (IECC) in Tucson, AZ
• David Narayanan, Mentor: Gardiner, Graduate Mentor: Michelle Pham. Do bumblebees accumulate stormwater pollutants found in urban rain gardens? CFAES IGP, $3,500

Faculty

Honors

• Mary Gardiner, Distinguished Professor of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, recognized for outstanding contributions and significant impact in teaching, research, outreach, and engagement.
• Mary Gardiner, Graduate Mentor Award, CFAES Office of Research & Graduate Education
• Sarah Short, Promotion to Association Professor, CFAES

Service Awards

• 15 Years - Mary Gardiner
• 5 Years - Jamie Strange

Entomological Society of America, North Central Branch

• Mary Gardiner, C. V. Riley Award 
• Ashley Leach, Excellence in Early Career Education and Engagement Award
• Kayla Perry, Award of Merit
• Joe Raczkowski, Ellen Klinger & Ben Philip, Educational Project Award, Creation and implementation of Entomology specific information literacy instruction to foster student success and professional inclusion

Invited Presentations

• Pete Piermarini, Discovery of novel botanical toxicants for mosquitoes. The 20th Arbovirus Surveillance and Mosquito Control Workshop. Anastasia Mosquito Control District, St. Augustine, FL, 2025
• Jamie Strange, Saving the Bees and Ourselves, The Ohio State University TEDx conference: echo. Columbus, OH, March 22, 2025

Grant awards

• Pete Piermarini, Susan Olesik (Chemistry and Biochemistry). Development of novel, safe pesticides from a rubber-producing plant (guayule) for controlling medically relevant mosquitoes, Armed Forces Pest Management Board, $310,125
• Jamie Strange. Establishment of captive rearing facilities for Bombus affinis, US Fish and Wildlife Service, $150,000 grant extension
• Jamie Strange, Kayla Perry.  Investigating rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) habitat suitability for recovery efforts across conservation units, US Fish and Wildlife Service, $125,639
• Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel. Management tactics and tools for insect pests in the north central region, University of Nebraska, $60,000
• Megan Meuti, Sarah Short. Determining How Photoperiod and Diet Affect Male Mosquito Mating Performance to Improve the Sterile Insect Technique, CFAES IGP, $74,998

Staff

Honors & Awards

• United Titanium Bug Zoo, Jeni Filbrun & Carrie Elvey, Program of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship, The Ohio State University Office of Outreach & Engagement, recognized for exceptional community engagement and education
• Carrie Elvey, UTBZ Community Outreach Specialist, CFAES Staff Advisory Countil Key Values Award
• Fred Hickmann, Michel Lab, Postdoctoral Association Professional Development Award, $750

Service Awards

• 5 Years - Jeni Ruisch
• 10 Years - Jeni Filbrun
• 15 Years - Scott Wolfe
• 20 Years - Nuris Acosta
• 30 Years - Denise Ellsworth

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Entomology Outreach Highlights

United Titanium Bug Zoo

Contributed by Jeni Filbrun, United Titanium Bug Zoo program manager

I was outside enjoying a lovely day and saw my first queen Bumblebee of the season. She was looking for a place to nest for the summer.  Here at the United Titanium Bug Zoo, we are looking forward to another spring of celebrating achievements, partnerships, and exciting events. This season is shaping up to be very busy and productive!

Celebrating the staff of the Bug Zoo
Carrie Elvey received the Key Values Award by the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences Staff Advisory Council for demonstrating dedication, cooperation, and a positive attitude. Her commitment and contributions have made a lasting impact, and we couldn't be prouder. Congratulations!

The United Titanium Bug Zoo was also recognized as a Program of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship by The Ohio State University Office of Outreach & Engagement for our efforts to engage and educate the local community work, exemplified by our work with Wooster Township Elementary, read more about that productive partnership below. We also had the opportunity to present “Cockroach Conundrums” to a full house at the Environmental Education Council of Ohio. Teachers and naturalists from across the state learned how to teach scientific methods using cave roaches.

Spring Partnership with Wooster Township and Shreve Elementaries Leadership Teams
Spring is here, and we're excited to collaborate with Triway’s elementary schools’ leadership class once again for another season of growth and learning. This partnership continues to bring enriching experiences for participants, fostering connections and knowledge. This year they raised money to help us upgrade our mobile containment equipment for the traveling UTBZ!

Upcoming Bug Camp: A Creative Collaboration
We are getting ready for our upcoming Bug Camp, held in partnership with the Wayne Center for the Arts! This unique program will combine nature exploration, artistic expression and learning about insects for a memorable week this July.

The United Titanium Bug Zoo served over 4,000 learners this spring and look forward to a summer full of open houses and events!

Columbus BUGmobile and Insectary

Contributed by Jeni Ruisch, program director, Insectary and Outreach

The Insectary has been abuzz with excitement as we prepared for our biggest day of the year, COSI’s Big Science Celebration in early May and for a busy summer! We are also going through a lot of changes, as we have a graduating senior. Michaela Liptak is a CFAES Distinguished Senior in Entomology who was recently awarded the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Busching-Morgan IECC Scholarship! Michaela will travel to the Cincinnati Zoo and then join a team of keepers as they travel to Tucson, Arizona to attend the Invertebrates in Education and Conservation Conference. Michaela will have the opportunity to make connections with Entomology professionals from highly varied disciplines from across the country and even the world! Congrats, Michaela! We’re sad to see you leave, but so excited for your new full-time job!

The BUGmobile is on the road again! The busy season is in full swing, and to help keep things running smoothly, we will be holding a BuckeyeFunder fundraiser to benefit the BUGmobile and Insectary. We’re hoping that Entomology alumni and bug lovers all over will help support our engagement and outreach for all Ohioans.

Pollinator Education Programs

Contributed by Denise Ellsworth, program director, Pollinator Education

Attracting Pollinators in the Shade?
Shady Spaces is the latest Plant by Numbers garden theme created specifically for Ohio gardeners. Shady Spaces features two shade garden designs using native perennials in a full-color pdf garden guide. Native plants suited for either moist or dry sites were selected to attract butterflies, birds, bees and other beneficial species to shady garden sites. 

This is the sixth Plant by Numbers garden guide to be released, joining Specialist Bees, Bumble Bees, Butterflies and Moths, Hummers and Singers (for the Birds), and Good Garden Bugs. All garden guides and additional resources are available at http://go.osu.edu/plantbynumbers.

This project was funded through a USDA NIFA pollinator health grant: 20217000632562

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Publications and Extension Materials

Bold font indicates current dept member or student. * Indicates student, post-doc, or visiting scholar formerly advised by CFAES Entomology faculty.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

1. Guarnieri L, Taylor L*, Phelan PL, Gardiner MM (2024) Body size and survival of urban and rural populations of a common wolf spider are not influenced by lifelong exposure to lead pollution. Insect Systematics and Diversity 8(6): 7. https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixae037  
2. Hickmann F, Meuti ME, Michel AP, Corrêa AS (2025) Where do all the pests go? Understanding the genomic mechanisms of crop pest dynamics during the off-season. Current Opinion in Insect Science 69: 101340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2025.101340.
3. Lang O*, Basnagala S, Michel A, Tilmon K, Leach A (2025) Increasing the impact of integrated pest management education with 3D printing, Journal of Integrated Pest Management 16(1): 12. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmaf008
4. Leach A, Kaplan I (2025) Cucumber beetles negatively impact pollinator visitation to cucurbit flowers. Ecological Entomology 50(2): 411–415. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.13407 
5. Lee TYH*, Phelan PL. (2025) Reticulitermes flavipes (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Response to Wood Mulch and Workers Mediated by Attraction to Carbon Dioxide. Insects16(2):194. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16020194
6. Lewis, MT*, Poelstra JW, Michel AP. 2025. Host plant flooding stress in soybeans differentially impacts avirulent and virulent soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) biotypes. Scientific Reports. 15, 4897. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87561-z
7. Lopez-Uribe MM, Strange JP, Whiteman L, Danforth BN, Jha S, Branstetter MG, Koch JBU, Levenson HK, Du Clos B, Woodard SH (2025) Standardized protocol for collecting bee samples to generate molecular data. Journal of Melittology 123. https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.vi123.22596  
8. Park Y, Piermarini PM (2025) Heat activation desensitizes Aedes aegypti transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (AaTRPA1) to chemical agonists that repel mosquitoes. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 209: 106326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106326.
9. Pekarcik AJ*, Taylor CG, Raudenbush AL, Tilmon KJ (2025) Biocontrol potential of naturally occurring entomopathogens against Maladera formosae in corn–soybean rotated systems. Pest Manag Sci https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8851
10. Rohde AT, Strange JP, Tobin KB, Mock KE, Branstetter MG (2025) Genome-wide markers test the status of two putative species of North American bumble bees. Conservation Genetics 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-025-01674-6.  
11. Sakulich EM*, Uhuad Koch JB, Strange JP (2025) Population structure varies among 4 western North American bumble bee species. Insect Systematics and Diversity 9(1): 4. https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixaf003
12. Strange JP, Lopez-Uribe MM, Whiteman L, Danforth BN, Jha S, Levenson HK, Du Clos B, Koch JBU, Woodard SH (2025) Standardized protocol for collecting bee samples for parasite and pathogen data. Journal of Melittology 123. https://doi.org/10.17161/jom.vi123.22598. 
13. McAndrew KM*, DR Coyle, DF Gomez, KLF Oten, TN Sheehan, BT Sullivan, Ward SF (2025) Range delimitation and flight phenology for Archips goyerana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a significant defoliator of baldcypress, Journal of Economic Entomology 118(2): 635-645.   https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf006
14. Ziwei Y, et al. including Michel AP, Tilmon KJ (2025) Too much of a good thing: Lessons from compromised rootworm Bt maize in the US Corn Belt. Science 387: 984-989. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adm7634

Extension Materials

2025 Entomology Extension Guide

We are excited to announce our 2025 Entomology Extension Guide as a resource of experts to contact for answers and solutions to your pest and insect questions. Find your entomology expert here: 2025 Entomology Extension Guide

New 3D Printing Course

ENTMLGY 7890 Special Topics in Entomology: 3D printing in Entomology and Extension, Instructors Ashley Leach, Suranga Basnagala, Andy Michel

Fact Sheets on OhioLine.osu.edu, posts on Buckeye Yard & Garden Online and more

1. Basnagala S, Perry KI, Havill NP, Rotondo F. The fascinating complex life cycle of hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA), Adelges tsugae Annand. 02/27/2025 https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/2454
2. Basnagala S, Perry KI. Your Bamboo furniture might come with an unexpected surprise! 03/27/2025 https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/2467
3. Boggs J, Ward S, Perry KI, Young CE, Shetlar D, Andon J*. Just in Time for Brood XIV: OSU Extension Cicada Fact Sheet. 03/19/2025 https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/2463
4. Boggs J, Kulhanek A*, Stone A, Perry KI. Check it Out: Three New OSU Extension Box Tree Moth Fact Sheets. 01/30/2025 https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/2455
5. Boggs J, Ward S, Perry KI, Young CE, Shetlar D, Andon J*. Invasive Species: Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis and Lepidoptera Crambidae), Range and Spread, PART 1 OF 3: BOX TREE MOTH (BTM) SERIES https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-0099
6. Boggs J, Ward S, Perry KI, Young CE, Shetlar D, Andon J*. Invasive Species: Detecting Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis and Lepidoptera Crambidae), PART 2 OF 3: BTM SERIES https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-0100
7. Boggs J, Ward S, Perry KI, Young CE, Shetlar D, Andon J*. Invasive Species: Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis and Lepidoptera Crambidae) - What Should You Do? PART 3 OF 3: BTM SERIES. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-0101
8. Boggs J, Ward S, Perry KI, Young CE, Shetlar D, Andon J*. Periodical Cicadas in Ohio. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-58
9. Perry KI, Boggs J, Nelson R. (2025, February 11). Box Tree Moth [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/KnDuI7_TgeM
10. Perry KI, Nelson R. (2025, February 11). Beech Leaf Disease [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/zFJEANPdaSg