Category Archives: Entomology

Entomology

Two people in outdoor gear stand by a white University of Georgia vehicle parked on a leaf-covered road in a wooded area.

 Entomology February 03, 2026

Researching the world’s only black fly colony

A monarch butterfly with orange and black wings rests on a vibrant pink zinnia flower against a blurred dark background.

 Entomology January 05, 2026

‘A warmer world might be a sicker world for monarchs’

Recently, Elmer Gray, UGA Cooperative Extension entomologist and director of the Black Fly Lab, led a team conducting field studies for Valent BioSciences to test the effectiveness of Vectobac 12AS, a naturally derived larvicide that uses Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) to control black fly populations.

 Entomology December 15, 2025

Researching the world’s only black fly colony

Tens of thousands of honey bees live together in each hive. Pictured here are honey bees on a hive frame, and the queen bee is identified near the center by her long abdomen and a green dot.

 Entomology October 24, 2025

The honey bee secret to staying clean and healthy

So-called “killer bees” are essentially indistinguishable from typical honeybees like the ones shown above.

 Entomology September 05, 2025

Yes, killer bees are back. No, you shouldn’t panic.

Unprecedented 2024-25 overwinter honey bee losses resulted in over $600 million in estimated economic impacts to beekeepers across the country. Scientists are linking the losses to high viral loads and mite resistance. (Photo courtesy of the UGA Bee Lab)

 Entomology August 04, 2025

Scientists identify high viral loads, mite resistance as key factors in recent honey bee losses

The Asian needle ant is only 3/16 of an inch long, but its sting packs a hefty dose of venom.

 Entomology June 05, 2025

Are Asian needle ants your backyard’s next invasive threat?

Thanks to the most comprehensive study of wild bees in Georgia blueberry fields to date, researchers have deepened our understanding of the diversity of native pollinators that help fuel one of the state’s top commodities. Among the species identified was the southeastern blueberry bee (Habropoda laboriosa), a non-aggressive, solitary specialist that uses buzz pollination to release blueberry pollen. In just three weeks, a single female can help produce more than 6,000 berries. (Photo by Bodie Pennisi)

 Entomology May 27, 2025

Wild bees crucial to Georgia’s blueberry success, CAES research shows

Researchers working with fire ants are trying to understand how a small group of ants can convince a larger group to change a fundamental aspect of their behavior—whether they kill or nurture multiple queens. Their work was published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

 Entomology May 07, 2025

A minority can influence whole group to change, study finds

Pinned specimens of common tiger (Danaus genutia) and common crow (Euploea core) butterflies. (Photo by Maria Luisa Müller-Theissen)

 Entomology April 02, 2025

Museum collections reveal worldwide spread of butterfly disease