Spotted Lanternfly Treatment and Control: What Works in 2026
Spotted lanternflies are destroying crops across the Eastern U.S. These invasive pests have slashed grape harvests by up to 90% and stunted maple tree growth by half. Since arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, they’ve spread rapidly — and they’re getting harder to kill.
The good news? Scientists are fighting back with promising new weapons: parasitic wasps, bug-killing fungi and strategic habitat removal. These biological control methods could finally give us the upper hand against this destructive pest.
What Is the Spotted Lanternfly?
The spotted lanternfly (SLF) has a beautiful, poetic name, but it’s a highly destructive planthopper. Native to Asia, these insects arrived in Pennsylvania as eggs hidden in commercial shipments. Now the rest of the Eastern Seaboard (and beyond) is under threat if these invaders aren’t stopped.
Why Are Spotted Lanternflies a Problem?
Spotted lanternflies feed on grapevines, hops, fruit trees and hardwoods like maples and walnuts.
After feeding, they excrete honeydew: a sticky substance that promotes mold growth. This mold blocks sunlight and weakens plants, making them vulnerable to disease.
And the damage doesn’t stop at individual plants. When spotted lanternflies destroy plants, they disrupt entire food chains by eliminating food sources for herbivores and the carnivores that feed on them.
Why Is Spotted Lanternfly Management So Difficult?
These nuisance pests have proven extremely hard to eliminate. Here’s why:
The SLF has become resistant to some insecticides.
Systemic insecticides — chemicals absorbed and moved by plants — may only work in a limited range.
Contact insecticides can be effective, but some harm beneficial insects.
As a result, the spotted lanternfly keeps reproducing and expanding its domain. But there are some encouraging new ways to fight back. Paired with existing best practices, these methods may finally give us some reliable spotted lanternfly treatments.
What Are the Latest Spotted Lanternfly Control Methods?
Spotted lanternfly research published in 2026 suggests that nature might help solve this nature‑made problem. Biological control methods show great promise. The added benefit? They’re eco-friendly.
Spotted lanternfly treatments with potential include:
Anastatus orientalis Parasite This parasitoid wasp lays eggs inside spotted lanternfly eggs, and the larvae eat SLF embryos before they hatch. It worked well in South Korean tests, but in the U.S., the parasite preferred other insect eggs. So while promising, its usefulness may depend on location.
Dryinus sinicus Parasite This Chinese parasitoid wasp uses raptorlike forelegs to snatch spotted lanternfly nymphs. It then lays eggs inside or beneath the nymph’s body. The wasp larvae develop inside the host and eventually kill it. In controlled tests across North America, D. sinicus performed well and could significantly reduce SLF populations.
Unleashing parasites isn’t the only promising biological control method. Other vermin and fungi help, too.
Eucryptorrhynchus brandti, a Chinese weevil, swarms on the tree of heaven and eats its trunk. Its larvae develop under the bark, wrecking the tree’s vascular system and robbing it of life-sustaining water and nutrients.
The soil-borne fungus Verticillium nonalfalfae can spread through tree of heaven root systems, wiping out large areas of SLF habitat.
Aculus taihangensis is a tiny Chinese mite. In North American tests, they reproduced quickly and damaged the tree of heaven, sparing similar trees.
Bug-Killing Fungi Fungi like the U.S. native Beauveria bassiana make greatbiofungicides. In one study, application of the fungus-based contact insecticide cut an adult SLF population by 43% and late-stage nymphs by 48% within two weeks.
How? B. bassiana spores stick to the SLF’s body, eat through its exoskeleton with an enzyme, and then grow inside it. Toxins kill the host within days. It’s considered safe for beneficial insects, though it shouldn’t be sprayed on bees or their food sources.
Conventional Spotted Lanternfly Control Methods
There may be no single fix for the problem of spotted lanternflies, and bringing them under control will likely take a mix of methods. Parasites and fungi are large-scale solutions meant for professionals. But ordinary people can join the fight, too, with everyday spotted lanternfly treatments and practices:
Be Vigilant
People should know what SLFs and their egg masses look like. After camping or visiting areas where they’re common, it’s a good idea to check gear and cars. A quick look for insects or eggs helps ensure they won’t get a free ride to a new home.
Destroy SLF Eggs
Destroy egg masses by removing and soaking them in alcohol or soapy water.
Set Traps
Traps are a passive defense that can help capture tree-climbing nymphs.
These are typically:
Sticky bands that go around trees
Circle traps, which funnel the insects into containers
Use Insecticides
Insecticides have a spotty track record but can be helpful in a pinch.
Favor Eco-Friendly Methods Over Chemical Controls
Chemical pesticides may kill bugs, but there’s more than one catch: They don’t always just kill the bad ones, and they’re also harmful to humans and the environment. Chemical control methods can contaminate water, soil and air — even end up in our food. They cause crop yields to shrink and beneficial microbes to die off, too.
But there are safer, more eco-friendly ways to control and kill spotted lanternflies, including homegrown biological controls.
Try these methods:
Spray SLFs and their environment with neem oil, a vegetable oil that disrupts their life cycle.
Keep chickens and guinea fowl, which will eat spotted lanternflies.
Attract beneficial insects like praying mantises by planting flowers they feed on.
Interested in tackling invasive species like the spotted lanternfly professionally? The University of Florida, home of the number-one-ranked entomology and nematology program in the world, can help.
Turn Nature’s Challenges Into Career Potential With UF Online
Insects like the SLF bring plenty of problems. Entomology opens doors for people who want to:
Research insects and their deterrents
Shape their impact on public health and living spaces
Spotted lanternflies are destroying crops across the Eastern U.S. These invasive pests have slashed grape harvests by up to 90% and stunted maple tree growth by half. Since arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, they’ve spread rapidly — and they’re getting harder to kill. The good news? Scientists are fighting back with promising new weapons: parasitic wasps, bug-killing fungi and strategic habitat removal. These biological control methods could…
Agriculture has a workforce most people never see (and no, it’s not just agronomists or agricultural engineers). It’s insects. Quietly and consistently — without paychecks or benefits — insects pollinate crops, control pest populations and help food systems function. Understanding their role goes beyond appreciation. It’s a reminder that biodiversity in agriculture depends on more than what we plant in the field. …
Ever seen one of these up close? You might not realize it, but this little insect is one of the world’s most successful — and most troublesome — invaders. Meet the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) If nature had a supervillain the size of a sesame seed, it would look exactly like the Asian tiger…
“Conservation isn’t just a business of a few people, it’s a matter that concerns all of us.” —Walt Disney
The link between The Walt Disney Company and the natural world runs deep. From Disney’s Animal Kingdom to its acclaimed “Disneynature” documentaries, the company has long worked to inspire a love of nature through storytelling and entertainment.
What may surprise you is just how far that commitment extends. Since 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) has provided more than $132 million to protect at-risk animals, including sea turtles, gorillas, elephants and — you guessed it — pollinators.
Disney has quietly become a serious force in addressing pollinator decline. Would we expect anything less from the company that brought us “A Bug’s Life”?
Step inside any Disney theme park and you’ll find that the magic extends well beyond the rides.
Walt Disney World Resort has permanently set aside over 8,000 acres for wildlife conservation, and throughout the property, guests encounter milkweed, passion vines and nectar plants like firebush and wild petunia. These host plants attract butterfly species like:
Disney and Sustainability: A Power Plant for Pollinators
Walt Disney’s original vision for EPCOT — the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow — was nothing short of revolutionary. That spirit lives on in the park’s 48,000-panel, 5-megawatt solar power plant designed in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head.
But what does a powerplant have to do with pollinator conservation?
Recognizing the potential of the land beneath and around the solar panels, Disney transformed the surrounding area into 160-plus acres of dedicated pollinator habitat. This includes a 10-acre research meadow planted with grasses and forbs — bird’s-foot trefoil, black-eyed Susans and purple love grass — selected to bloom at staggered times throughout the year. No matter the season, bees, butterflies and other pollinators will find resources here.
The project offers a glimpse at a future where energy infrastructure and ecological stewardship coexist.
What Does Disney Do to Rescue Monarch Butterflies?
This kind of hands-in-the-soil commitment is more important than ever. Monarch butterflies have suffered a 90% population decline over the past two decades, driven largely by the destruction of habitats they depend on during their annual migration.
Disney’s all about princesses. They just had to come to the aid of a monarch.
Mouse and Gator: Disney and UF Partner to Save Butterflies
Some of the most impactful conservation work Disney does happens in partnership — specifically with the University of Florida. The DCF has awarded over $5 million to UF conservation programs, and the collaboration goes well beyond writing checks.
“Our relationship extends beyond grants to meaningful engagement in conservation solutions as our teams work together to make an impact for wildlife, people and the planet,” said Kim Sams, former director of strategic philanthropy at Disney Enterprise Social Responsibility.
A $350,000 grant supports conservation of more than 40 critically imperiled butterfly species in Florida and California, led by Jaret Daniels, curator and program director at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity.
Disney isn’t paying us to write this. (Surprise!) We just deeply respect the work the company’s done to protect wild places and wildlife. The lesson is worth sharing: Pollinators are essential for global food security.
You don’t need to be a billion-dollar corporation to make a difference. Planting pollinator-friendly flowers like milkweed in your garden is a genuinely impactful place to start. But if you’re ready to take your passion further, there’s a clear path forward for you at UF.
Key Takeaways
Keep these facts in mind the next time you see a butterfly fluttering in the background of a Disney animated film.
How much has the Disney Conservation Fund provided for animal protection? Since 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) has provided more than $132 million to protect at-risk animals, including sea turtles, gorillas, elephants and pollinators.
How many butterfly species have been recorded at Walt Disney World Resort? Over 70 butterfly species have been recorded in pollinator gardens across the resort. These include swallowtails, whites and sulphurs, brush-footed butterflies, skippers and gossamer-winged butterflies.
How does Disney’s solar power plant support pollinators? Disney transformed the 160-plus acres surrounding its 5-megawatt Mickey-shaped solar plant into dedicated pollinator habitats. This includes a 10-acre research meadow with native plants like bird’s-foot trefoil and black-eyed Susans, designed to bloom at staggered times throughout the year.
What’s the partnership between Disney and the University of Florida (UF)? Disney and UF collaborate on butterfly restoration programs. The Disney Conservation Fund has awarded more than $5 million to UF programs, resulting in the successful release of 6,000 Atala, 10,500 Miami blue and 1,000 Schaus’ swallowtail butterflies.
The Magic of Entomology
If you want to turn your passion for bees and butterflies into a career that helps protect them, entomology is worth a serious look. A master’s degree in entomology can lead to careers in beekeeping, insect rearing and environmental conservation — fields where the work genuinely matters.
At UF, we offer four online entomology master’s degree programs. The two best suited to pollinator-focused careers are:
“Conservation isn’t just a business of a few people, it’s a matter that concerns all of us.” —Walt Disney The link between The Walt Disney Company and the natural world runs deep. From Disney’s Animal Kingdom to its acclaimed “Disneynature” documentaries, the company has long worked to inspire a love of nature through storytelling and entertainment. What may…
You lift the lid of the hive slowly. The sound changes immediately. A low, steady hum rises as thousands of honey bees adjust to the sudden light. You watch their movement before you touch anything: How they cluster. How they fan their wings. Whether the colony feels calm or off. This is what an apiary…
75% of crops producing fruits or seeds for human food depend on pollinators. But commercial beekeepers in the U.S. lost 62% of their colonies between 2024 and 2025. Poor pollination is shrinking yields for key crops like blueberries, coffee and apples by up to 60%. And as our hard-working pollinators decline, fewer crops can thrive. …
The on-screen text that opens 2007’s “Bee Movie” — a cult classic — nods to an old, persistent myth: the idea that bees shouldn’t be able to fly. It states:
“According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway. Because bees don’t care what humans think is impossible.”
Entertaining? Absolutely. Scientifically accurate? Not even close. Bees, like other insects with wings, don’t defy the laws of aviation or physics; they exploit them.
Why, then, do so many people think that bees shouldn’t be able to fly? Let’s unpack that myth and explore the complex forces that help insects take to the skies.
The “Miracle” of Flight
To understand how insects fly, we first need to look at birds and bats — the only other animals capable of true, powered flight.
Birds and bats achieve lift, in part, using cambered wings: curved wings that guide air to move faster over the top, reducing pressure and creating lift. Airplanes use this same basic design principle to get off the ground.
Insect wings, however, are more like flat plates than curved airplane wings. So, how can insects flyif they can’t take advantage of these same smooth, fixed-wing aerodynamics?
Insect Flight Deemed “Impossible”
This question really tripped up early entomologists, who believed insect wings must behave like a miniature version of a plane’s fixed airfoils. In the 1930s, French entomologist Antoine Magnan applied the laws of air resistance to insects and deemed their flight “impossible.” (This is the likely origin of the myth that bees defy the laws of physics.)
The truth: Insects have had roughly 400 million years to fine-tune flight, giving them time to evolve strategies that bats, birds and even airplanes simply don’t use.
How Do Insects Fly?
Simply put, insects fly by flapping their wings. When an insect sweeps its wings back and forth, it accelerates air downward, and by Newton’s third law of motion (every action has an equal and opposite reaction), that downward push on the air creates an upward force called lift.
How Bees Fly With Small Wings
With relatively small wings and heavy bodies, bees are a great example of efficient insect flight. Here’s how they do it:
Rapid wing strokes Bees flap in short, rapid strokes that accelerate air downward at high speed.
Wing rotation At the end of each stroke, bees rotate their wings to create a sharp angle into the airflow.
“Mini-hurricanes” This rotation generates a leading-edge vortex: a swirling pocket of low-pressure air over the wing that lowers the pressure above it and significantly boosts lift.
This type of flight is energy-intensive, which helps explain why bees are constantly foraging for high-energy nectar.
The Secret: Tiny Helicopters Flying on Tiny Hurricanes
So how do small insect wings produce such strong forces?
Because the leading-edge vortex stays attached for much of the stroke, it acts like a lift amplifier, helping insects stay airborne on wings that might otherwise seem too small.
Early researchers like Magnan struggled with insect flight because they believed that insect wings behaved like the fixed wings of an airplane, where high angles of attack usually cause a stall. In reality, flying insects are more like tiny helicopters … flying on tiny hurricanes.
How Insect Muscles Help Them Fly
As you might expect, all this wing-flapping takes some serious muscle. Insects generally need at least 12 to 16% of their body mass in flight muscle just to get off the ground. In high-performance fliers, flight muscles can make up 55 to 65% of total body mass: more than half their entire body weight. The more flight muscle an insect has, the stronger, longer or more agile its flight becomes.
Maintaining that muscle is costly, though. Some insects can partially break down their flight muscles when they no longer need to fly, redirecting energy and resources to other needs in response to environmental conditions like population density or food availability.
Key Takeaways
Here are a few key facts about insect flight to keep in mind:
Is it true that bees shouldn’t be able to fly? No, that’s a myth. While 1930s-era calculations (which treated insect wings like the fixed, rigid wings of an airplane) suggested they couldn’t stay airborne, we now understand that bees flap their wings to create lift, allowing them to fly perfectly well within the laws of physics.
How do bees fly with such small wings? Bees compensate for their small wing size with speed and rotation. They flap their wings in very short, rapid strokes. More importantly, they rotate their wings during each stroke to create a leading-edge vortex: a swirling pocket of low-pressure air that acts like a “lift amplifier” to keep them aloft.
How much of an insect’s body is made of muscle? Flight is incredibly energy intensive. Most insects require at least 12% to 16% of their body mass to be flight muscle just to get off the ground. In high-performance fliers, these muscles can make up a staggering 55% to 65% of their total body mass.
What Entomologists Study Today
Not long ago, mysteries like “how bees fly” seemed unsolvable with the tools scientists had. Today, entomologists use high-speed video, robotic wings and sophisticated computer models to peel back the curtain on how insects operate in the air and on the ground.
Entomologists are a lot like you. They love anything with six or more legs and spend their time learning all about insects and other arthropods. The difference is that they get paid for it.
What’s separating you from them? A formal entomology education.
The University of Florida offers 100% online entomology programs designed to help enthusiasts like you turn a love of insects into a rewarding career. Our online medical entomology master’s degree and graduate certificate programs provide key skills needed to pursue careers in public health, research, academia and other medical-entomology-related areas.
Interested? Explore our 100% online entomology programs to see everything they can offer you, then submit your application when you’re ready. Who knows what you’ll discover once you take flight.
Spotted lanternflies are destroying crops across the Eastern U.S. These invasive pests have slashed grape harvests by up to 90% and stunted maple tree growth by half. Since arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, they’ve spread rapidly — and they’re getting harder to kill. The good news? Scientists are fighting back with promising new weapons: parasitic wasps, bug-killing fungi and strategic habitat removal. These biological control methods could…
Agriculture has a workforce most people never see (and no, it’s not just agronomists or agricultural engineers). It’s insects. Quietly and consistently — without paychecks or benefits — insects pollinate crops, control pest populations and help food systems function. Understanding their role goes beyond appreciation. It’s a reminder that biodiversity in agriculture depends on more than what we plant in the field. …
Insects can’t be trained — at least not in the way you’re thinking of. No pats on the head for fetching a tiny ball or flying to a certain spot on command. But research on hoverflies is challenging what entomologists thought they knew about insect learning. These small, bee-mimicking insects are helping researchers understand how visual information shapes decision-making…
Grew up in the South? Then you’ve probably been stung by a fire ant. Maybe you accidentally stepped on a mound or learned the hard way not to stand on the grass for too long. However it happened, you walked away with a sting so itchy, you’d swear fate was testing you.
Fire ants may seem like a staple of summer in the South — right along with cookouts and fireworks — but they’re actually an invasive species. Originally from South America, red imported fire ants arrived in the U.S. almost a century ago. Since then, they’ve been taking over our backyards (and assaulting our ankles).
What Are Red Imported Fire Ants?
Of the nearly 200 known fire ant species worldwide, most thrive in warm, tropical regions like Central and South America. But in the U.S., one species remains dominant: the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). These reddish-brown workers measure between .3175 to .6351 centimeters long (1/8 to 1/4 inches) and sport dark, bulbous rears. They’re the invaders behind most Southern backyard fire ant stings.
How Painful Are Fire Ant Stings?
On the Schmidt sting pain index, the fire ant sting scores a 1 out of 4. That’s relatively mild, according to entomologist Justin Schmidt, who personally tested what it feels like to be stung by venomous insects. He described the fire ant’s sting as “sharp, sudden,” and “mildly alarming.” Still, the sensation is hardly a tickle — especially if you stumble into a colony.
How Did the Red Imported Fire Ant Get to the United States?
Native to South America, red imported fire ants were unintentionally introduced to the United in the late 1930s. They likely traveled through the port of Mobile, Alabama, in the ballast of cargo ships.
Without natural predators to keep them in check — and armed with aggressive foraging behaviors and rapid reproduction — fire ants spread fast throughout the Southern and Western U.S. Today, they infest over 367 million acres in American states and territories including:
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Florida
Georgia
Louisiana
Mississippi
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Puerto Rico
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Now and then, fire ants pop up in Kentucky, Missouri and Maryland. They’ve even made it across the pond, spotted in regions as far as Syracuse, Italy. As climates warm, expect fire ants to continue spreading throughout warmer parts of the world.
Why Are Red Imported Fire Ants a Problem?
Since their arrival to the U.S., red imported fire ants have become urban pests and agricultural nightmares. They:
damage farm equipment
destroy crops like sorghum, corn, small grain seeds, forage grass and citrus seedlings
For those unfortunate enough to step on a mound, a fire ant sting can be more than a nuisance. For some, the sting can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions like anaphylactic shock. This makes it a challenging to estimate this insect’s cost to public health. In total, state agencies have spent about $250 milliontrying to control fire ants’ spread.
Fire Ant Management Strategies
So, what’s being done? Pest managers are throwing everything they can at fire ants, including strategies like:
Broadcast bait applications
Individual mound treatments
Barrier and spot treatments
But here’s the catch: even when pesticides wipe out a colony, fire ants from nearby will often re-colonize the area within a month: faster than native species can recover.
The biggest breakthrough might come from biological control: using the red imported fire ant’s natural predators against them.
Biological Control Strategies: Fighting Fire With Fire
Currently, two biological control methods are being tested: the decapitating fly and fire ant disease.
1. Decapitating Flies
Native to South America, decapitating flies evolved alongside fire ants, developing a rather grotesque way to destroy them.
These flies chase fire ants into their colonies, preventing them from feeding. If a decapitating fly manages to catch a fire ant, it will lay its eggs inside the ant’s head. The egg develops, and the head falls off. (Gross, we know.) The adult fly then vacates the headless ant in search of a new target.
2. Fire Ant Disease
This ingenious method involves planting ant larvae infected with fire ant disease (Thelohania solenopsae) in a fire ant colony. The disease spreads from brood to workers to the queen, weakening her ability to reproduce and hampering the spread of new colonies.
Join the Fight Against Invasive Species
Maybe you’re recovering from a nasty fire ant sting, or maybe — just maybe — you’re curious about pest management. If so, this could be your moment.
At the University of Florida, we offer online entomology graduate programs that can help you prepare you for a career tackling invasive species like the red imported fire ant. Check out our specializations in:
Spotted lanternflies are destroying crops across the Eastern U.S. These invasive pests have slashed grape harvests by up to 90% and stunted maple tree growth by half. Since arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, they’ve spread rapidly — and they’re getting harder to kill. The good news? Scientists are fighting back with promising new weapons: parasitic wasps, bug-killing fungi and strategic habitat removal. These biological control methods could…
Agriculture has a workforce most people never see (and no, it’s not just agronomists or agricultural engineers). It’s insects. Quietly and consistently — without paychecks or benefits — insects pollinate crops, control pest populations and help food systems function. Understanding their role goes beyond appreciation. It’s a reminder that biodiversity in agriculture depends on more than what we plant in the field. …
Insects can’t be trained — at least not in the way you’re thinking of. No pats on the head for fetching a tiny ball or flying to a certain spot on command. But research on hoverflies is challenging what entomologists thought they knew about insect learning. These small, bee-mimicking insects are helping researchers understand how visual information shapes decision-making…
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.
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!
That honey you enjoy is sweet and tasty, but do you know what’s in it? There’s plenty of sugar, of course. Also vitamins, minerals and protein in varying amounts. But some of the other genetic materials found in honey may surprise you.
Here we’ll examine the field of honey metagenomics — the study of genetic material found in honey — and see what it reveals about the honey bees that help produce it.
Honey Metagenomics Revealed
Ahh, honey: a natural food source with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and other health benefits. Honey bees have no idea about these properties, however. They just want a handy food source for the winter, when nectar is scarce. Perhaps they know, as we do, that honey has no expiration date.
There’s a universe of genetic material in this seemingly simple, sticky syrup. Experts in the honey metagenomics field act as “diet detectives” that focus exclusively on one type of eater. Here’s what their work uncovers:
What Honey Bees Eat
With nectar as one of its primary raw materials, honey is fundamentally made of plants transformed and enhanced by bees. Honey bees’ taste in flowers and other plants is broad and includes many we use to decorate our homes (sunflowers — a honey bee favorite), make tea (bergamot), enhance a dish (rosemary), stave off colds (echinacea) and more.
Honey metagenomics can help us determine what the honey bees that produced a particular batch of honey usually ate. Using DNA analysis, researchers can pinpoint specific plant types. Such tests are primarily used on wild bees, as beekeepers know what their bees eat, and when harvesting commercially, so producers can label product packaging accurately (e.g., “orange blossom honey”).
Where Honey Bees Call Home
Just as honey metagenomics can help determine the plant sources of honey, it can also identify its geographic origins. In commercial honey production, this is important, since some locations are considered to produce the finest honey for its flavor, purity or health properties.
How Healthy Honey Bees Are
By monitoring the honey output of a hive, metagenomics researchers can discover problematic microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that may be present in the bee population. Some types of microorganisms cause diseases like Nosema, potentially compromising the health of the bees and contributing to phenomena such as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), in which worker bees abandon their colony and queen, often killing the entire hive.
How Healthy the Environment Is
Analysis of honey also enables researchers to assess the environmental health of a specified area. It can identify and measure the levels of environmental pollutants and other contaminants that may be present.
How Healthy Honey Is for Humans
We previously outlined some health benefits of honey, but it also poses some risks to humans, as honey metagenomics has shown. Honey is not recommended for consumption by anyone under 12 months of age, as it may contain the bacteria that causes botulism.
If honey bees consume nectar from poisonous plants and a person eats raw honey containing the toxin, they can suffer ill effects. Further, as bees ingest pollen with nectar, honey can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.
Explore the Insect Kingdom and New Career Options With UF Online
Insects are fascinating, often frustrating creatures that nonetheless serve important functions in the natural world. Advanced knowledge of insects is not only enlightening, it can also help you excel in your current entomology career or enable you to enter the field in a variety of professional roles.
Acknowledged for having the number-one-ranked entomology and nematology program in the world by the Center for World University Rankings, the University of Florida offers online graduate programs that provide that crucial knowledge:
Online Master’s Degree in Entomology and Nematology
Now, ask yourself: Could you fight 2.5 million ants all on your own?
Ants thrive in massive colonies housing hundreds of thousands of these tiny warriors, each capable of carrying 50 times their own body weight. When threatened, they move with a singular purpose: protect the colony at all costs.
We’re not confident we could survive a battle with 2.5 million ants, so it’s time to study our enemy. By understanding their survival strategies, maybe — just maybe — we can find a way to stop them before it’s too late … or at least, stop them from invading our next lunchtime picnic.
Let’s dive into the captivating world of entomology and explore what makes ants such successful survivors.
All in a Day’s Worker Ant
Colonies are typically led by one or more queens — in some species, thousands — with mature queens capable of laying thousands of eggs in a single day. As for male ants, or drones, they have one job: mate with the queen. They die soon after. (So dramatic.)
The real heavy lifters? They’re all female. Worker ants may not reproduce, but they handle everything else, including gathering food, tending to the queen’s young, building and maintaining the nest and defending the colony with their lives.
When they stumble upon a tasty snack or sense danger, worker ants release pheromones to alert others. While most ants stick to a diet of nectar, seeds, fungus or other insects, some species like army ants prey on reptiles, birds and small mammals. If you’ve ever accidentally stepped on an ant mound, you know they’re not afraid to attack a human thousands of times their size.
Good Ol’ Reliable Venom
Ants are known for overwhelming their prey with sheer numbers, but let’s not forget that ants are among the most abundant groups of venomous creatures on the planet. Some ant species are even solitary hunters, capable of subduing prey with their venom alone.
Their venom isn’t just for hunting, however. Ants have adapted to use their venom for a variety of purposes. It can serve as an antimicrobial and herbicide and even plays a role in chemical communication.
Extraordinary Ant Defense Mechanisms and Survival Strategies
There over 12,000 known ant species, and each has evolved unique survival strategies. Here are some of the most remarkable:
Believe it or not, the queen doesn’t issue orders to the colony. Each ant operates on its own, gathering information from its immediate surroundings to figure out what to do next.
Ants That Explode
Colobopsis explodens doesn’t sting or bite hard, but when threatened, it has one incredible trick up its sleeve. First, these ants raise their rump as a warning. Then, if the attacker doesn’t retreat, one of the ants will sacrifice itself, clamping down and flexing its abdomen until it bursts, releasing a stick, yellow toxin. Brutal.
Ants of the Seven Kingdoms
Native to Papua New Guinea, Pheidole drogon and Pheidole viserion look absolutely bizarre. These ants have barbs along their backs and shoulders, likely for fending off predators. But beneath those spikes, scientists discovered an unusual set of muscles that suggest the spikes also provide extra support for the ants’ oversized heads. And yes, they’re named after the dragons from “Game of Thrones.”
Ants That Have Watched Too Many “Saw” Movies
Meet Allomerus decemarticulatus, the trap-setting ant. Living in the leaf pouches of Amazonian plants, these workers build galleried structures in their host plant’s stems, piercing small holes through which they can poke their heads. Under the holes, they lie in wait, mandibles open, poised to strike at unsuspecting insects. It’s the stuff of nightmares.
Ants: A Formidable Opponent
Ants are incredible creatures capable of performing extraordinary feats, from building living structures to literally exploding to protect their colony. Thankfully, they seem content with raiding our pantries and crashing our picnics rather than attacking the human race. But then again, you can never be too careful …
Sharing the Planet With Ants and Other Insects
Curious about turning your interest in ants and other insects into a career? You’re not alone.
The University of Florida offers online graduate programs for those interested in learning more about ants, fleas, termites and other pests as well as the integrated pest management (IPM) techniques used to keep them out of our homes and gardens. At UF, you can pursue a master’s degree or graduate certificate in:
Landscape Pest Management
Urban Pest Management
The best part? You can complete your studies entirely online, on your own time — perfect for working professionals with a full schedule.
Round them all up, strap them to a rocket and launch them straight into the sun. It’s a satisfying thought for anyone who’s swatted at a mosquito or tried to ignore their itchy bite.
Before we set out to commit mosquito genocide, however, let’s ask: Can we really get rid of them? Mosquitoes are deadly, but they’re also a critical part of the ecosystem, right? Could wiping them out have catastrophic consequences for the environment?
Can We Kill All Mosquitoes?
Not all mosquitoes deserve our hate. Of the more than 3,500 mosquito species out there, most don’t transmit diseases to humans. In fact, some species don’t bite humans at all, and many serve as food for other animals or are unsung heroes of pollination.
If we can’t kill all mosquitoes, what about the species that pose a serious threat to humans? Take Aedes aegypti, the so-called “cockroach of mosquitoes.” These insects are vectors for diseases like dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. Plus, they’re an invasive species in many parts of the world, so their removal would also benefit the environment. It’s a win-win. So what’s stopping us from getting rid of Aedes aegypti and making the world a safer place?
The problem is that we’ve already tried.
Why Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Me?
Ever feel like you’re the only one in your group being eaten alive by mosquitoes? If you think mosquitoes have it out for you, you might be right.
It’s nothing personal. Mosquitoes are after blood for a reason: Females need the protein in blood to make eggs. And like any expectant mother, they’re picky about what they eat, using their antennae and palps (sensory appendages that flank the proboscis) to detect carbon dioxide and odors in the air and locate prey. So, if you’re exhaling more carbon dioxide than everyone around you, which is likely if you have a high metabolic rate, you’re more likely to receive mosquito bites.
Is it possible to exterminate Aedes aegypti in limited control areas? Has extermination ever been attempted? … This may seem a bit wild, but it does not seem to me to be any more of a departure from the reasonable than was the first attempt to control yellow fever by antilarval measures alone. It seems to me to be worth investigation.
As director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Soper persuaded all member countries to join him in a (deliriously) ambitious mission: to eradicate Aedes aegypti from the Americas. And it worked—at least, for a while. Brazil was declared Aedes aegypti-free in 1958, and by 1964, most Central and South American countries followed suit. Unfortunately, the mosquito is nothing if not resilient.
As soon as Aedes aegypti were eradicated from one area, they moved to another. Total eradication was always out of reach. By 1976, Brazil was reinfested, and by 1985, PAHO was forced to admit defeat, acknowledging that the goal of wiping out Aedes aegypti across the Americas was unrealistic.
Modern Methods for Controlling Mosquito Populations
Soper’s crusade against the mosquito failed for many reasons. Countries struggled with reinfestation, the insecticide DDT was overused and the United States was reluctant to assist. The real issue, however, was that the eradication program promised to solve an impossible problem.
Since then, we’ve gotten smarter about how we tackle mosquitoes. Control strategies are far more specialized, factoring in the complex ways insects, diseases and humans interact. Scientists are even experimenting with gene editing and Wolbachia, a bacterial infection that can sterilize male mosquitoes, to keep populations in check. There are also non-chemical options, such as using fish to eat larvae or drones to identify stagnant water for removal.
Still, the war against these deadly insects rages on. With short generations, mosquitoes are notoriously difficult to deal with, capable of mutating and adapting to almost anything we throw at them. Plus, there’s still a lot we don’t know about these tiny but deadly insects.
Take Up Arms Against the Mosquito
Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying. They’re dangerous, especially in places with limited resources where disease can spread easily. A lot of work needs to be done for humans to live alongside insects like the mosquito safely (and preferably without itchy bites).
Interested in joining the fight? The University of Florida offers online medical entomology programs where you can learn all about preventing the spread of vector borne diseases. Check them out:
Both programs explore integrated pest management in the public health sector, focusing on strategies that can take down insect vectors. Online classes like Ecology of Vector-Borne Diseases and Advanced Mosquito Biology provide the deep knowledge needed to make an impact in this essential field.
Ready to step up? Explore our other certificates and master’s degree specializations, and if you’re serious about dedicating your life to fighting mosquito-borne diseases, apply today to UF.
There’s been a murder! The victim lies lifeless, and without a witness, murder weapon or DNA evidence, this case may be impossible to crack. But fear not, investigators have an unexpected ally: forensic entomologists.
Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of forensic entomology: the study of the application of insects and other arthropods found at crime scenes that help investigators solve mysteries. While their methods may seem farfetched, these specialists are invaluable in criminal investigations.
Fair Warning: This subject is captivating but not for the squeamish!
How Does Forensic Entomology Work?
When someone dies, their body begins to decompose in a process called autolysis. Soft tissues break down, releasing volatile molecules called apeneumones. The release of apeneumones like carbon dioxide, methane and ammonia acts like a dinner bell to insects, attracting them and altering their behavior.
This predictable process, wherein insects arrive and lay eggs, allows forensic entomologists to glean all sorts of information from a corpse, including:
The time between death and finding a body (postmortem interval).
Where a crime took place.
The cause of death.
Time of death, for example, can be estimated by observing blow flies. These insects are remarkable for their keen sense of smell, allowing them to locate a body in as little as ten minutes.
Blow flies arrive on the scene and lay eggs on the body. The eggs hatch into maggots, which feed, grow and molt through several stages until they pupate. During pupation, they form a hardened shell and metamorphose into adult flies.
By identifying the species of fly and determining their life stage, forensic entomologists can estimate the time of death. This isn’t an exact science, however. Factors like temperature, location and the condition of the body can influence the development of these insects. This complexity is why forensic entomology is such a vital and specialized field.
The History of Forensic Entomology
The first recorded use of insects to solve a crime dates back to 13th-century China. After a farmer was found murdered, the suspects were asked to place their sickles on the ground. Remarkably, blow flies swarmed one particular sickle, which had been cleaned but still bore invisible traces of blood. Faced with this damning evidence, the sickle’s owner confessed to the murder. (Can you imagine being that guy? So close to getting away with murder, only to be undone by an entirely new field of science.) This ingenious use of insect behavior marked the birth of forensic entomology.
Modern Forensic Entomology
Fast forward to 19th-century France, when the field took another significant step forward. A doctor examined the remains of a child found in an apartment building, discovering fly larvae and moth pupae. He understood their life cycles and concluded that the child had died eight to ten months prior. This crucial information led investigators to rule out the apartment’s current occupants and focus on the murderers, a couple who had lived there months earlier.
Forensic entomology is a unique blend of insect study and crime-solving. It’s incredible how tiny bugs can unravel big mysteries, like establishing time of death or identifying where a crime took place. If you’re intrigued by this field and want to learn more, consider the University of Florida’s online entomology programs.
Study Entomology at the University of Florida
UF offers online master’s degrees and graduate certificates with specializations in medical entomology, landscape pest management, urban pest management and beekeeping. But we’re going to focus on our medical entomology options.
Our online medical entomology programs provide a solid foundation in entomology, insect classification and ecological concepts. These programs are ideal for future ecologists, biologists and, of course, forensic entomologists. While you’ll eventually need a Ph.D. in entomology to become a forensic entomologist, our online programs offer a great starting point.
To get a better idea of what our programs offer, check out Graduate Survey of Entomology. This course serves as an introduction to insect anatomy and physiology. By the end of the course, students should be able to identify common insects and explain their movements, digestion and appearance.
The hemlock woolly adelgid has a particular palate, feeding exclusively on hemlock trees. First discovered in Virginia, this invasive species has spread throughout the forests of the Appalachian Mountains, where it poses a serious threat to forest ecosystems. Invasive species experts have attempted to prevent the spread of these aphid-like insects, but management tactics, including chemical control, have yet to suppress hemlock woolly adelgid populations.
Hope is not yet lost for the hemlock forests of the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, however. Every day brings entomologists closer to developing more effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, and the efforts of individuals can go a long way toward preventing these insects from inadvertently being introduced into new areas.
Let’s take a closer look at the hemlock woolly adelgid and its destructive appetite.
Where Is the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Originally From?
The hemlock woolly adelgid was first spotted in the Pacific Northwest in 1922, but this is believed to be a case of mistaken identity. The first confirmed sighting in North America was in Richmond, Virginia, in 1951. Native to Japan, the adelgid is believed to have been introduced via infested ornamental Japanese hemlocks. These insects can now be found in over 20 states and Nova Scotia. Without natural predators or hosts with natural resistances, adelgids are free to feed on eastern and Carolina hemlocks.
Why Adelgid Infestations Are So Destructive
Hemlock trees play a vital role in their ecosystem. From a black bear making its den in a tree hollow to a speckled trout swimming in waters cooled by tree shade, all types of animals and plants rely on the habitat provided by hemlock forests. Found on steep slopes, hemlock trees even prevent erosion by stabilizing shallow soil. Losing hemlock trees could mean losing unique plants and wildlife, which is what makes adelgid infestations so concerning.
The Lifespan of the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Explained
Hemlock woolly adelgids feed by inserting their piercing mouth parts, known as a proboscis, into plant tissues and extracting stored nutrients. Affected hemlock trees shed their needles and lose buds and branch tips necessary for regeneration. Eastern hemlocks are particularly vulnerable to infestation, having fewer defenses against piercing-sucking insects. An herbivore-induced hypersensitive response also results in needles with higher levels of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), resulting in tissue death at the feeding site. Infested hemlock trees die within as few as four years, and as many as 80% of hemlocks in the Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains have died due to infestation.
Winter and Spring Adelgids
Two generations of adelgids emerge during the year: the winter generation and the spring generation. In early summer, winter adelgids hatch only to enter summer dormancy at the bases of hemlock needles. They spend the rest of their lives at this feeding site. Dormancy ends come winter, and winter adelgids progress through four stages of life as wingless nymphs. During this time, they produce a waxy, woolly mass above their bodies, where they will lay their eggs through early spring.
The lifecycle of the spring generation is only three months long and comes to a rather abrupt end. Hatching in early spring, a proportion of adults known as sexuparae develop wings and fly in search of tigertail spruce trees to deposit their eggs. There’s just one problem: There are no tigertail spruce trees native to their area. Having reached a reproductive dead end, the winged adults die, and it’s the non-winged adults that lay the eggs that will become the winter generation.
Current Management Tactics
Hemlock woolly adelgids are miniscule, measuring less than two millimeters. The woolly mass they produce is easy enough to spot, however. Each mass resembles the head of a cotton swab, and an infested tree will have a number on the underside of its branches throughout fall and spring.
Once detected, there a number of potential methods for managing these invasive insects:
Chemical Control Insecticides have been shown to control hemlock woolly adelgid populations, but the cost of applying pesticides to large areas makes this strategy less than desirable.
Silvicultural Control Silvicultural control entails removing infested hemlock trees, which allows more sunlight to reach the forest floor, stimulating regeneration and helping hemlocks survive an infestation. Unfortunately, silviculture can lead to unintended consequences, including the removal of resistant hemlocks.
Host Resistance Attempts to cross the eastern hemlock with the highly resistant Chinese hemlock have been unsuccessful. However, there are over 200 cultivars of eastern hemlock, and the possibility remains that some hemlocks have an innate resistance to the adelgid.
Biocontrol Native and introduced enemies have a substantial impact on the hemlock woolly adelgid, including Laricobius nigrinus, among its most important predators. A six-year study spanning nine field sites across six states revealed that this black beetle had a significant impact on winter generations. Spring generations rebounded, however, resulting in the need for a more comprehensive approach.
Integrated Pest Management IPM uses a combination of the strategies listed above and has been shown to have moderate success in forest and urban settings. IPM is the most promising long-term solution to controlling hemlock woolly adelgid populations.
Here’s What You Can Do
The keen eyes of entomology enthusiasts can help slow the spread of hemlock woolly adelgids. If you’re in a state actively monitoring for adelgids and you spot them in a city where they’ve yet to be identified, you can document their appearance and report it to your local government. However, there is a way to take a more active role in managing this invasive insect.
The University of Florida offers an online entomology master’s degree and graduate certificate, each with four specialization options. Our online courses instill the principles and practices of IPM, helping working professionals like yourself become entomologists, ecologists, biologists, IPM managers, and more. Explore our program and course offerings to find the graduate credential that’s ideal for your career.
Spotted lanternflies are destroying crops across the Eastern U.S. These invasive pests have slashed grape harvests by up to 90% and stunted maple tree growth by half. Since arriving in Pennsylvania in 2014, they’ve spread rapidly — and they’re getting harder to kill. The good news? Scientists are fighting back with promising new weapons: parasitic wasps, bug-killing fungi and strategic habitat removal. These biological control methods could…
Agriculture has a workforce most people never see (and no, it’s not just agronomists or agricultural engineers). It’s insects. Quietly and consistently — without paychecks or benefits — insects pollinate crops, control pest populations and help food systems function. Understanding their role goes beyond appreciation. It’s a reminder that biodiversity in agriculture depends on more than what we plant in the field. …
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