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How the U.S. Prevents the Spread of Vector-Borne Diseases
What if your recent mosquito bite carried more than just the discomfort of being an itchy nuisance? What if it posed a significant risk of transmitting a deadly disease like malaria, yellow fever or Zika virus? According to the World Health Organization, vector-borne diseases are responsible for causing over 700,000 deaths annually. Malaria alone caused…
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From Crime Scenes to Crops: 5 Unique Careers in Entomology
When you hear children talk about what they want to be when they grow up, you often hear responses like “firefighter” or “teacher,” with the occasional “magical princess” thrown in for good measure. What you’re much less likely to hear from a five-year-old is something like, “I want to be a vector control specialist.” But…
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4 Surprising Ways Insects Benefit the World — and You
We don’t blame you if insects aren’t your cup of tea. According to Jeffrey Lockwood, many people run from insects (or squash them on sight) partly because of evolution and partly because we feel a sense of invasion when we find them scuttling around our private spaces. But perhaps we can persuade you to see…
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What Do Beekeepers Do? A Day in the Life
Ever wonder how that golden honey makes the journey from hive to jar as you drizzle it over your favorite sweet treats? Beekeepers play an essential role in not only ensuring the health of the hive (and all its buzzing inhabitants) but also the removal of honey once it’s ready for extraction. But what do…
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3 Benefits of Eating Insects: Entomophagy as Sustainable Nutrition
If you’ve traveled to faraway lands, you may have come across a few local delicacies that, at the time, you considered questionable. “No thank you, I’ll pass on the roasted grasshoppers,” you say as you navigate through stalls of colorful trinkets and street snacks. While eating insects might not be at the top of your…
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How Ladybugs Help Your Garden Thrive: 5 Key Benefits
Many of us consider ladybugs to be symbols of good luck. Spotting one might evoke feelings of optimism or a sense of protection. (Whether that protection is for you or your garden is debatable.) However, ladybugs aren’t merely cute, spotted critters that evoke nostalgic childhood memories. They’re also the apex predators of the garden world…
