Insect Biodiversity Center News | Insect Biodiversity Center

Nov 17, 2020

Spring symposium, seed grants to promote transdisciplinary biodiversity research

The Sustainability Institute at Penn State is hosting transdisciplinary symposia on biodiversity throughout the spring 2021 semester.

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Penn State and Freiburg University are offering a public-facing, three-credit graduate course titled, “Global Perspectives in Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management.”

Oct 23, 2020

Penn State, Freiburg offer virtual course on pest and pollinator management

In February 2020, as part of a mutual effort to enhance a strategic partnership between the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg and Penn State that dates back to 1998, the two universities announced the selection of two joint proposals for novel online classroom projects.

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The Oak Road meadow project, located next between Oak Road and Hastings Road, was an original site for the Office of the Physical Plant to pilot its ‘no-mow’ initiative

Oct 06, 2020

Designated 'no-mow' turf grass areas provide environmental, economic benefits

University Park campus practice has resulted in reduced carbon dioxide emissions and overall mowing costs, while providing stormwater protection and habitats for local wildlife.

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D.J. McNeil, postdoctoral fellow in entomology, listened to the nocturnal "songs" of crickets and katydids (shown here) to map their populations across a variety of habitats in central Pennsylvania.

Oct 02, 2020

Researchers hear more crickets and katydids 'singing in the suburbs'

The songs that crickets and katydids sing at night to attract mates can help in monitoring and mapping their populations, according to Penn State researchers, whose study of Orthoptera species in central Pennsylvania also shed light on these insects' habitat preferences.

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Sep 10, 2020

Insect Biodiversity Center to promote insect conservation, healthy ecosystems

Penn State's new Insect Biodiversity Center brings together faculty researchers and educators from 8 colleges to study and celebrate insect diversity in science and practice in an effort to conserve insects and the ecosystems in which they live.

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Aug 03, 2020

Pollinator project supports biodiversity at Penn State Orchard Road solar array

An innovative project is creating a buzz around Penn State’s University Park campus, especially among the many species of pollinators that call Centre County home.

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Jul 09, 2020

Gall fly outmaneuvers host plant in game of 'Spy vs. Spy'

Over time, goldenrod plants and the gall flies that feed on them have been one-upping each other in an ongoing competition for survival. Now, a team of researchers has discovered that by detecting the plants’ chemical defenses, the insects may have taken the lead.

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Jul 07, 2020

Virgil inspires donor to create endowed professorship in College of Ag Sciences

Thanks to a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor, the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Entomology have established the Publius Vergilius Maro Professorship. Designated for a faculty affiliate of the Center for Pollinator Research, the endowment is the fourth professorship for the Department of Entomology. Christina Grozinger, professor and director of the Center for Pollinator Research, has been appointed to the position, effective July 1.

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Jun 30, 2020

Checklist of Pa. bees documents 49 new species and some that may be endangered

A study documenting bees that are reported to occur in Pennsylvania has found the presence of 437 species, including 49 never before recorded in the state. Researchers said the resulting checklist of bees in the commonwealth also identifies species not native to North America and several native species that may be of conservation concern.

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Apr 29, 2020

Study reveals important flowering plants for city-dwelling honey bees

Trees, shrubs and woody vines are among the top food sources for honey bees in urban environments, according to an international team of researchers. By using honey bees housed in rooftop apiaries in Philadelphia, the researchers identified the plant species from which the honey bees collected most of their food, and tracked how these food resources changed from spring to fall.

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