Entomology had quite the year in 2024. New York City declared all-out war against the spotted lanternfly, rallying citizens to stomp them on sight. Australia introduced a fire ant prevention program that’s in “absolute shambles.” And for the first time since 1803, 13-year and 17-year periodical cicadas emerged simultaneously from underground.
If 2024 is any indication, 2025 is going to be an even bigger year for entomology. From conservation efforts to pest management, here are seven trends in entomology to keep on your radar.
1. Insect Populations Dwindle
Insect populations have declined for decades, and 2025 doesn’t look like the year we reverse course. Conducting a systematic review of 156 journals and websites, researchers confirmed that insect decline is a complex issue driven by human-induced:
- Climate change
- Habitat loss
- Intensive agriculture
- Pesticide use
- Pollution
The numbers are grim. Reports of insect declines, mostly from Europe and North America, show that 40% of insect species in temperate countries may face extinction in the next few decades. While the research doesn’t exactly break new ground, it highlights the importance of conservation efforts like habitat protection, sustainable land management and species-specific initiatives.
2. Protecting Pollinators
It’s not all doom and gloom! Just look at Slovenia, a Central European country with 11,000 passionate beekeepers. Back in 2011, the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association successfully pushed to ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which are toxic to bees. By 2018, they had started World Bee Day to educate the global public on the important role bees and other pollinators play in ensuring food security and conserving biodiversity.
The Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association proves that small, committed communities can make a difference. Don’t be surprised if more grassroots initiatives to protect pollinators emerge in 2025.
3. Pest Management Powered by AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. (Seriously, it might be a crime to write a “2025 trends” article without mentioning it.) But AI is solving some real problems in entomology. Take crop pests, for example. Pests destroy between 20% and 40% of food crops around the world every year, and they don’t even have the common decency to identify themselves. Rude.
That could all change with AI. For example, an IoT (internet of things) trap can capture pests. AI algorithms can then identify the pest with more accuracy than a human ever could. And that’s only one application for this evolving technology.
4. The Fight Against Disinformation
“Science itself is never partisan, but it’s always political … because knowledge itself is power, and power is political,” said science writer and author Shawn Otto in his keynote speech at the Entomology 2024 conference. Entomology often deals with complex challenges and advanced technologies that can be easily misunderstood by the public or misrepresented by bad actors. Otto urged scientists to communicate more effectively by not only “telling people what we know” but also “explaining how we know it.” In other words, explain how the science works.
5. Cracking the Code of Insect Behavior
How do insects feed, reproduce and interact? Understanding insect behavior is vital for pest management, disease control and insect conservation. And the field is booming. Researchers, looking at data from literature searches, funding databases and Entomological Society of America presentations, confirmed that the field is growing and recognized as an integral part of the entomological field.
That’s not all. Recent advancements in genetic tools and gene editing are letting scientists explore insect behavior at the molecular level. Given the staggering diversity of insects and their impact across numerous fields, expect this field to reveal incredible insights in the years ahead.
6. Plant Resistance Makes a Comeback
The wooly apple aphid loves apples. Like really loves apples — so much so that Reginald Painter pioneered host-plant resistance to combat these critters in the 1950s. Since then, over 500 crop genotypes with resistance to arthropod herbivores have been developed. Now, advancements in areas such as biotechnology, molecular breeding, analytical tools and omics techniques offer new insights into how plants and arthropod herbivores interact. As these tools continue to develop, expect plant resistance to become a key part of integrated pest management (IPM) programs.
7. Taking on Pests and Plant Pathogens
Insects don’t just spread diseases to humans; they’re also responsible for transmitting plant viruses and bacterial and fungal pathogens that devastate crops and threaten global food security. Thankfully, new discoveries are shining a light on these herbivorous pests. One key area of advancement is uncovering the molecular mechanisms at work when insects exploit host plants, and with genomic sequences now available for many species within major groups of vectors, the field is making incredible strides.
Become Part of the Story
We’ve covered everything from a passionate beekeeping community in Slovenia to cutting-edge genomic techniques revolutionizing plant protection. The takeaway? There’s a place for you in the vast world of entomology. Whether you’re planting a pollinator-friendly garden or pursuing a career in this growing field, we’re rooting for you. (But we’re kind of hoping you pick the second option.)
The University of Florida, home to one of the largest entomology and nematology departments in the world, offers online programs designed to help you make a difference in entomology, and in turn, the world. Want to study medical entomology or master the art of beekeeping? We’ve got you covered. Interested in IPM? Our landscape or urban pest management options will teach you everything you need to know.
2025 promises to be another exciting year for entomology. Why not step into this incredible field and add one more thing to look forward to? Take a look at our online graduate entomology programs, and when you’re ready, make it official by applying to UF!
Sources:
https://entomologytoday.org/2024/05/02/new-collection-current-trends-entomology/
