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So You Want To Be a Forensic Entomologist
Whether you’re captivated by true crime documentaries or a devoted fan of the long-running series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” you’ve likely glimpsed the gritty realities of crime scenes: the blood, the yellow tape … and the maggots feasting on the recently deceased. If you’re passionate about insects and the intricacies of criminal investigations, why not…
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Are Vector-Borne Diseases on the Rise?
If you find yourself adding an extra layer of bug spray before your evening walks or instinctively swatting at every passing mosquito, your heightened vigilance is justified. Cases of vector-borne diseases have surged in recent years. There were over one million cases between 2001 and 2023 in the United States alone—and that number only includes…
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Boss Ladies: Fascinating Female-Led Insect Societies
Who runs the world? According to Beyoncé, it’s girls — and in the insect world, that’s certainly true! In many insect species, females are strong, confident and unmistakably in charge, from industrious honey bee queens to formidable praying mantises. Let’s dive into what makes so many female insects such powerhouses and the driving forces of…
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Celebrating Women in Entomology
Entomology, the study of insects, has long been associated with notable figures such as Sir Vincent Wigglesworth and William Kirby. While men have historically dominated the field and currently hold around 66% of entomology-related careers, the contributions of women in entomology deserve equal recognition. Women have made pivotal advances in understanding insect behavior, ecology and…
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The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Invasive Species Spotlight
When people think of stink bugs, one question usually arises: Do stink bugs really stink? While they don’t go around contaminating every area they cohabitate with, they do emit a notably pungent scent when threatened: a chemical defense mechanism that deters predators. But it’s not their smell that’s most concerning. The brown marmorated stink bug…
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The History of Entomology: An Evolutionary Overview
Though the term “entomology” was only formally coined in the early 1800s, humans’ fascination with insects dates back thousands of years. Insects account for roughly 75% of all known animal species, so it’s not hard to understand why these tiny creatures have piqued both curiosity and (at times) exasperation from frustrated gatherers and farmers. Since…
