Author Archives: JoanieTheEntomologist

About JoanieTheEntomologist

PhD candidate in entomology.

Do other bugs have anything similar to a hymenopteran’s stinger?

Question: I know that stingers on wasps, bees, ants, etc., are modified ovipositors, which helps them out in terms of defense […] this got me into thinking. Do other bugs have anything similar?  This question emailed to us is quite intriguing and … Continue reading

Posted in Behavior, Evolution | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

November – Time for the Entomological Society of America National Meeting

Every year, November is an especially busy month for Nancy, Joe, and I. This is because it is time for the national Entomological Society of America (EntSoc or ESA) meeting, in addition to our other responsibilities. This meeting is a … Continue reading

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Deathwatch Beetles – Spooky Sounds

Tick, tick. Tap, tap, tap. These sounds are produced by a deathwatch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum). Old buildings can sometimes give us spooky vibes. However, for the deathwatch beetle, they are quite welcoming. This is because these beetles are woodboring and … Continue reading

Posted in Behavior, Culture | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Poll for next week’s blog post – Halloween Theme

Howdy y’all. We wanted to try something a little different. For next week’s post, I have a couple of topics in mind – but I’m only going to write about one. Which topic would you like to read about next … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

A note on death in insects – pretending, surviving, and living

My undergraduate student that I’m mentoring this semester asked me a question about when an insect is dead. He pondered this because we read a paper were researchers infected carpenter ants with a fungus were considered dead after no movement … Continue reading

Posted in Behavior | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Email question: are fireflies attracted to CO2?

Back in June we received an email that stuck with me. A person had a question about CO2 attraction in fireflies. Their question pertained to an insect trap that emits CO2 to attract and capture insects. They were concerned about … Continue reading

Posted in Behavior | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Bugs With Fuzzy Butts: What are They?!

Spring and summer time bring out all the interesting bugs! Over the years (and recently) we’ve had a few people ask what these insects are and why they have “fuzzy butts.” These insects are broadly called planthoppers. Why do they … Continue reading

Posted in Behavior, Identification | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dr. Charles Henry Turner: An Amazing Scientist

This week we are featuring Dr. Charles Henry Turner. Before I begin my article on him, I have a personal note that I’d like to share. As Nancy stated in her blog post on Dr. Margaret S. Collins, I would like to … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Where are we now: Joanie

Hello there! I’m Joanie Mars, or rather professionally, Joanie King. I typically prefer my alias “Mars” because “King” has always been a strange last name for me to identify with. You see, it’s not my stepfather’s last name and he’s been … Continue reading

Posted in grad school | Tagged | 4 Comments

Replay of live video on Anopheles mosquitoes of Madagascar with Riley Tedrow

Hey ya’ll! We’ve been doing these neat live videos with entomologists from all different backgrounds. It’s been almost a year of doing so, but they are only posted to Facebook. From now on we’re going to provide the link to … Continue reading

Posted in Live Video, Medical Entomology, Uncategorized | 1 Comment