News

Dr. Zsofia Szendrei is offering a new course, Tritrophic Interactions: Theory and Practice (ENT890) in fall 2012. This 3-credit, two-hour lecture and two-hour lab per week course will examine the rapidly expanding field of tritrophic interactions between plants, herbivores and natural enemies. Through a combination of lecture, discussion and hands-on activities, you will learn both the theory of tritrophic interactions and chemical ecology, as well as gain practice in experimental methods in this field. The laboratory sessions will include getting experience with techniques such as headspace sample collecting and analysis on GC/MS, Y-tube choice tests, and molecular gut content analyses. Familiarity with these methods will add new dimensions to your research capabilities and may help you in your future career. Tentatively, the class will be held Wednesday and Friday, 8:10-10 a.m. For more information on this course, contact Dr. Szendrei at szendrei@msu.edu.

Insect World Science Camp and Bug Camp For Kids are set to take place this summer on the campus of Michigan State University. Insect World Science Camp is for youth ages 9-12 years old and will take place July 15-18. View a brochure and application form. Bug Camp For Kids is for youth ages 6-11 years old who want to have fun, explore and begin to understand the insect world. Dates and times for these half-day camps are June 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and August 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost is $30 and includes t-shirt, materials and snacks. View a program announcement and application form.

Cheers for Dr. Rich Merritt, new MSU University Distinguished Professor. President Simon presented the award to Rich in the presence of family and friends including many from the Department. The award is among the highest honors bestowed on a faculty member by the university. Those selected for the title have been recognized nationally and internationally for the importance of their teaching, research and outreach achievements. Learn more about Merritt’s work at his Aquatic and Forensic Entomology lab website. View more photos of the ceremony.

Dr. Rich Merritt accepts the award from President Simon.

Kudos to graduate students Sarah Smith and Alexandria Bryant for their recent awards during the annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Sarah was awarded the J.G. Edwards Prize from The Coleopterists Society for best published paper based upon a Master’s Thesis [Smith, S.M. and A.I. Cognato. 2010. A Revision of Camptocerus Dejean (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae). Insecta Mundi 148: 1-88.]. She also received a First Place Poster award (SysEB-1). Alexandria won Second Place for an oral presentation (P-IE-1).

People are asking about these insects. Here are our quick links to information about: brown marmorated stink bugs, bed bugs, spotted wing drosophila, emerald ash borer, multi-colored Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs.