Michael Skvarla
Extension Educator; Director, Insect Identification Lab
Huck Affiliations
Most Recent Publications
Arthropod Interactions with Xyris Flowers Discovered through Community Photography
Michael Skvarla, Terry L. Torres-Cruz, Cody L. Mathis, 2024, Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington on p. 351-365
Commercial products are not effective at repelling European deer keds, Lipoptena cervi (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) but may increase mortality after exposure
Michael J. Skvarla, Karen Poh, Calvin Norman, Erika T. Machtinger, 2024, Journal of Medical Entomology on p. 1435-1442
New Host Records for White Peach Scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae: Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti, 1886)) in North America
Michael J. Skvarla, Scott A. Schneider, 2024, Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington on p. 69-73
First Records of Crapemyrtle Bark Scale (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae: Acanthococcus Lagerstroemiae) from New Jersey and New York
Michael J. Skvarla, Kevin D. Chase, Christopher B. Riley, Jeremy Slone, 2024, Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington on p. 428-432
First Modern Record of a Giant Lacewing (Neuroptera: Ithonidae: Polystoechotes punctata (Fabricius, 1793)) from Texas
Michael J. Skvarla, John D. Oswald, Mark A. Janowiecki, 2024, Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington on p. 285-290
Diversity of Arthropods that Visit Xyris spp. (Xyridaceae): New Observations from Guyana
Terry J. Torres-Cruz, Lauren A. Ré, Jack R. Johnson, David M. Geiser, Michael J. Skvarla, 2024, Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington on p. 246-255
Garrapatas comunes en Pensilvania
Michael Skvarla, J Garcia Prudencio, 2024,
Enemies of mason bees
Michael Skvarla, D Biddinger, N Boyle, M López-Uribe, 2024,
Sclerodermus, una pequeña avispa que en ocasiones infesta los hogares
Michael Skvarla, J Garcia Prudencio, 2024,
Booklice
Michael Skvarla, 2024,
Most-Cited Papers
A Review of Terrestrial and Canopy Malaise Traps
Michael J. Skvarla, Jonathan L. Larson, J. Ray Fisher, Ashley P.G. Dowling, 2021, Annals of the Entomological Society of America on p. 27-47
A comparison of trapping techniques (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, and Curculionoidea excluding Scolytinae)
Michael J. Skvarla, Ashley P.G. Dowling, 2017, Journal of Insect Science
Catalogue of snout mites (Acariformes: Bdellidae) of the world
Fabio A. Hernandes, Michael J. Skvarla, J. Ray Fisher, Ashley P.G. Dowling, Ronald Ochoa, Edward A. Ueckermann, Gary R. Bauchan, 2016, Zootaxa on p. 1-83
Deer keds (Diptera: Hippoboscidae: Lipoptena and Neolipoptena) in the United States and Canada: New state and county records, pathogen records, and an illustrated key to species
Michael J. Skvarla, Erika T. Machtinger, 2019, Journal of Medical Entomology on p. 744-760
An Update to the Adventive Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea) of America North of Mexico, with Notes on Intercepted Species
Michael J. Skvarla, Susan E. Halbert, Robert G. Foottit, Andrew S. Jensen, Eric Maw, Gary L. Miller, 2017, Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington on p. 90-111
Revision of torrent mites (Parasitengona, Torrenticolidae, Torrenticola) of the United States and Canada: 90 descriptions, molecular phylogenetics, and a key to species
J. Ray Fisher, Danielle M. Fisher, Michael J. Skvarla, Whitney A. Nelson, Ashley P.G. Dowling, 2017, ZooKeys on p. 1-496
Terrestrial arthropods of Steel Creek, Buffalo National River, Arkansas. I. Select beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae, Carabidae, Cerambycidae, Curculionoidea excluding Scolytinae)
Michael Joseph Skvarla, Danielle M. Fisher, Kyle E. Schnepp, Ashley P.G. Dowling, 2015, Biodiversity Data Journal
Collecting deer keds (diptera: Hippoboscidae: Lipoptena nitzsch, 1818 and neolipoptena bequaert, 1942) and ticks (acari: Ixodidae) from hunter-harvested deer and other cervids
Karen C. Poh, Michael Skvarla, Jesse R. Evans, Erika T. Machtinger, 2020, Journal of Insect Science
Torrenticola trimaculata n. sp. (Parasitengona: Torrenticolidae), a three-spotted water mite from Eastern North America: Taxonomic history, species delimitation, and survey of external morphology
J. Ray Fisher, Danielle M. Fisher, Whitney A. Nelson, Joseph C. O’Neill, Michael J. Skvarla, Ron Ochoa, Gary R. Bauchan, Andrea J. Radwell, Ashley P.G. Dowling, 2015, Acarologia on p. 71-116
Systematics of testudacarine torrent mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Torrenticolidae) with descriptions of 13 new species from North America
Joseph C. O’Neill, J. Ray Fisher, Whitney A. Nelson, Micheal J. Skvarla, Danielle M. Fisher, Ashley P.G. Dowling, 2016, ZooKeys on p. 13-110
News Articles Featuring Michael Skvarla
May 19, 2025
Pa. anglers prepare for rare fishing opportunity when cicadas 'splat' on the water
A unique fishing opportunity is about to happen in central and southcentral Pennsylvania and fly tyers are getting ready to “splat” their flies on the water for this once-in-a-17-year opportunity.
Full Article
May 19, 2025
Cicadas are back. Brood XIV expected to emerge in parts of Pennsylvania
They’re back! The cicadas, that is. In particular Brood XIV. After 17 years underground, the large, clumsy insects have started emerging to breed in parts of the United States, including Pennsylvania.
Full Article
Feb 19, 2025
Cicadas, a land lobster to humans and delicacy for animals and fish, to emerge in Pa.
Central and eastern Pennsylvania will experience a once-in-every-17-years spectacle this summer as the Brood XIV cicadas are expected to emerge.
Full Article
Jan 23, 2025
Fewer lanternflies this summer? Maybe, and you can thank this week's deep freeze
One upside to the frigid cold — there should be fewer pesky spotted lanternflies this summer.
Full Article
Oct 12, 2024
Invasive brown stink bugs are everywhere — but for how much longer?
Fall weather has finally settled in, bringing with it a crisp breeze that may encourage you to open the windows to enjoy. As delightful as that autumn air may feel, your open windows may also serve as an open door to the invasive brown marmorated stink bug.
Full Article
Sep 19, 2024
Huge flying SPIDERS are spotted Northeast for first time - with anyone who sees one urged to stomp it to death
Huge spiders that can fly have been spotted in Pennsylvania, prompting warnings they should be killed on sight.
Full Article
Sep 18, 2024
The invasive Jorō spider has landed in Bucks County, Pa. Here’s what to know about the giant flying arachnid.
Good news: Jorō spiders aren't dangerous to humans or pets. Bad news: We can't stop them and we don't yet know what damage they will do to the ecosystem.
Full Article
Aug 15, 2024
How, when and where to see Pittsburgh’s most beautiful butterflies
The visual symphony of lepidoptera is a sublime sight, with about 2,500 species of butterflies and moths in the state.
Full Article
Jun 07, 2024
Could the giant, flying Joro spiders make their way to Pennsylvania?
They’re giant, they fly, and they very well could invade the northeast this summer. Experts say they expect the Joro spiders to head to New Jersey and New York this summer. The good news is probably not Pennsylvania.
Full Article
Jun 06, 2024
Should Pennsylvanians be worried about Joro spiders?
A spider from Asia has been spotted on the east coast and the striped species is moving north with help from humans.
Full Article
Jun 05, 2024
Giant venomous flying spiders will not parachute into New Jersey this summer
Even if jorō spiders reach the Northeast, humans and pets don’t need to be concerned.
Full Article
May 22, 2024
How To Get Rid of Sugar Ants Inside Your Home
There’s nothing sweet about these pesky creatures that can invade your kitchen and pantry.
Full Article
May 10, 2024
A cicada apocalypse is coming this summer: Will Pennsylvania be spared the noisy invasion?
For the first time in more than two centuries, two different broods of cicadas are emerging – one comes out every 17 years and the other every 13 years.
Full Article
Apr 15, 2024
The Cicadapocalypse is nigh. 7 cicada facts to know before it hits.
Periodical cicadas are getting ready to emerge from underground in a rare double emergence event
Full Article
Apr 11, 2024
Yellow-eyed grasses may have more insect visitors than previously thought
Scientists previously believed that a family of flowering plants called yellow-eyed grasses didn’t attract many insect visitors, but the recent discovery of a fungus that hijacks the plant and forms fungal “pseudoflowers” has researchers rethinking this assumption.
Full Article
Mar 18, 2024
9-year-old Arkansas girl catches rare pink grasshopper, names it Millie
A pink grasshopper, a rare find, was found in Benton, Arkansas
Full Article
Feb 10, 2024
Too warm: Plants, insects, people likely to pay the price for warm winters
A harmless to humans bug was found that slowly kills evergreens in Pennsylvania
Full Article
Jan 23, 2024
These 6 U.S. Cities Are Crawling With Bedbugs — Again
These metro areas had the most bedbug problems last year — and the year before — judging by pest control data
Full Article
Dec 08, 2023
Should I Be Concerned about Christmas Tree Bugs (And How Do I Get Rid of Them?)
What to do about bugs on your Christmas tree
Full Article
Nov 21, 2023
College of Ag Sciences recognizes faculty, staff for research achievements
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences lauded outstanding accomplishments in research during the 2023 Research Awards Ceremony, held Nov. 1 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on the University Park campus.
Full Article
Oct 31, 2023
Could Paris bedbugs come to Philly? Sure, but that’s assuming we don’t already have them.
Philly’s in the top three of most bedbug-infested cities in the U.S.
Full Article
Oct 25, 2023
Which Pennsylvania spiders are dangerous to humans? How to identify and avoid them Read more at: https://www.centredaily.com/news/state/pennsylvania/article280597534.html#storylink=cpy
Very few spider species pose a direct threat to humans -- Spider bites are rare, and medically significant incidents are even less common
Full Article
Sep 11, 2023
Does the Viral Paper Bag Wasp Deterrent Trick Really Work?
Michael Skvarla talks about the viral TikTok trend about getting wasps to leave
Full Article
Sep 05, 2023
Penn State’s Great Insect Fair returns to Snider Ag Arena on Sept. 30
Penn State’s 2023 Great Insect Fair will highlight the theme, “Bugs in the System,” focusing on the technology used in entomology. All are invited to attend the Great Insect Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Snider Agricultural Arena on the University Park campus.
Full Article
Sep 01, 2023
Lancaster County beekeepers on alert as yellow-legged hornets appear in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has confirmed the sighting of yellow-legged hornet, a threat to honeybee hives
Full Article