Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Aug 7, 2018

CALS Students Named FFAR Fellows

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research today announced 17 inaugural fellows -- including three CALS grad students -- for a Graduate Training Program in Food and Agriculture Science. 

Aug 3, 2018

7 Fascinating NC Arthropods (That You’ve Never Heard Of)

Some insects and their relatives (called “arthropods”) are so common, large and/or showy that you can’t help but notice them. Others are generally unknown due to their small size, or are simply uncommon — and many of these can be found right outside your door. All it takes is a little adventure and, perhaps, a magnifying glass. 

Jul 19, 2018

Cities as Study Proxies for Climate Change

Cities can serve as useful proxies to study and predict the effects of climate change, according to a North Carolina State University research review that tracks urbanization’s effects on plant and insect species. 

Jul 18, 2018

Podcast: Pesticide Resistance Arms Race

In a recent NC State podcast, CALS' Fred Gould discusses the rising rate of pesticide resistance and what can be done to protect crops and human health from resistant pests. In sharing his perspective, Gould draws on a recent Science journal review article he co-wrote with NC State experts in agricultural and resource economics and science and technology policy. 

Jul 6, 2018

4 of North Carolina’s Oddest Pollinators (They Aren’t Bees)

With all the fuss about bee health and pollinator protection in the news over the past few years, it’s easy to slip up and start using the word “pollinator” interchangeably with the word “bee.” It’s true that bees—including more than 500 species in North Carolina—are, collectively, important pollinators. But they’re not the only animals capable of moving pollen from flower to flower. 

Jun 7, 2018

Researchers Gain Insight Into Chromosome Evolution in Flies

By identifying a gene indispensable for males’ survival in a devastating livestock pest, North Carolina State University researchers have shed new light on the evolution of fly chromosomes. 

Jun 6, 2018

David Tarpy Demonstrates Queen Bee Research on Capitol Hill

David Tarpy, CALS professor of entomology and Extension apiculturist, is participating in a national exhibition in Washington, D.C., on June 6 to help demonstrate to Congress the importance of agricultural research. 

May 18, 2018

Think Chimpanzee Beds Are Dirtier Than Human Ones? Think Again

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) appear to keep tidier sleeping arrangements than humans do. That’s one finding of a recent study that evaluated the microbes and arthropods found in the treetop beds that chimpanzees make each night. 

May 18, 2018

What Happens If We Run Out? Pesticide Resistance Needs Attention, Large-Scale Study

To slow the evolutionary progression of weeds and insect pests gaining resistance to herbicides and pesticides, policymakers should provide resources for large-scale, landscape-level studies of a number of promising but untested approaches for slowing pest evolution. That’s the takeaway recommendation from a North Carolina State University review paper addressing pesticide resistance published in the journal Science. 

May 16, 2018

Should I Kill Spiders in My Home? An Entomologist Explains Why Not To

In this article from The Conversation, Matt Bertone, an Extension associate in entomology, explains why it's best to squash the urge to squash spiders in your home.