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Full-Text Articles in Entomology

Organic Pesticides: A General Overview, Marion Murray, Ann Mull Sep 2026

Organic Pesticides: A General Overview, Marion Murray, Ann Mull

All Current Publications

Organic pesticides are naturally occurring, nonsynthetic, or minimally processed substances that control unwanted organisms in the environment. Categories include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and miticides.


American Plum Borer In Utah Orchards (Euzophera Semifuneralis), Emilie Demard, Marion Murray, Claudia Nischwitz Aug 2026

American Plum Borer In Utah Orchards (Euzophera Semifuneralis), Emilie Demard, Marion Murray, Claudia Nischwitz

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides information on American plum borer in Utah orchards, also known as APB. This pest primarily damages fruit trees. APB moths were detected in traps in 2026, but to date, no tree damage has been found. This fact sheet discusses hosts, identification, and management methods.


Organic Management Of Pillbugs And Sowbugs In Strawberries And Other Fruits, Briger Carey, Marion Murray, Emilie Demard, Jennifer R. Reeve Mar 2026

Organic Management Of Pillbugs And Sowbugs In Strawberries And Other Fruits, Briger Carey, Marion Murray, Emilie Demard, Jennifer R. Reeve

All Current Publications

Pillbugs and sowbugs are collectively known as isopods that typically feed on soil organic matter, but under certain conditions, they can be a pest of many young plants and berries. This fact sheet reviews identification, life cycle, damage, and organic management strategies for pillbugs and sowbugs.


Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus Occidentalis), Emilie Demard Mar 2026

Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus Occidentalis), Emilie Demard

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides information on the western conifer seed bug, including native range, life cycle, plant hosts, symptoms and damage, and management options.


Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Misconceptions About Bees, Kaitlin U. Campbell, Kathy Cabe Trundle, Rita Hagevik Jan 2026

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Misconceptions About Bees, Kaitlin U. Campbell, Kathy Cabe Trundle, Rita Hagevik

All Current Publications

Bees are fascinating creatures that play a crucial role in pollination and ecosystem health. However, misconceptions about bees are widespread. Understanding the facts about bees helps us appreciate their significance and take appropriate action to protect them. This fact sheet dispels common myths about bees and explains the facts behind the misconceptions.


Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: The Buzz About Bees, Kaitlin U. Campbell, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle Sep 2025

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: The Buzz About Bees, Kaitlin U. Campbell, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes bees--honey bees and native bees--and the services they provide as pollinators. It describes the threats that bees face, including habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and diseases and parasites. It also outlines ways to help bees.


Squash Bug Integrated Pest Management, Nick Volesky, Marion Murray Jul 2025

Squash Bug Integrated Pest Management, Nick Volesky, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

This infographic reviews integrated pest management for squash bugs. It includes information on the following: resistant varieties of vegetables to plant and crop rotation, homemade traps, mechanical destruction, mulches, trap crops, natural enemies, and organic and synthetic insecticides.


The Link Between Environmental Change And Invasive Species, Marion Murray, Meg Kast Jun 2025

The Link Between Environmental Change And Invasive Species, Marion Murray, Meg Kast

All Current Publications

Climate change and invasive species represent two pressing environmental challenges facing our planet. Each poses a threat to global biodiversity and ecosystem stability, and together, they amplify the impacts of the other. As global temperatures rise and ecosystems are disrupted, new conditions are created that allow invasive species to spread more easily, establish themselves in new areas, and outcompete native species.


Thriving Hives: Propolis - Harvest And Usage, Brynn Meredith, Teresa Hunsaker, Andree' Walker Bravo Mar 2025

Thriving Hives: Propolis - Harvest And Usage, Brynn Meredith, Teresa Hunsaker, Andree' Walker Bravo

All Current Publications

One of the lesser-known substances produced by honeybees is something called propolis. Propolis is a type of adhesive that bees use to construct their hives and keep unwanted invaders out. Propolis is difficult to collect and process but can be beneficial, as it has many useful applications. This fact sheet addresses harvesting and using propolis.


Thriving Hives: Processing And Using Beeswax - Candles And Cosmetics, Brynn Meredith, Teresa Hunsaker, Andree' Walker Bravo Feb 2025

Thriving Hives: Processing And Using Beeswax - Candles And Cosmetics, Brynn Meredith, Teresa Hunsaker, Andree' Walker Bravo

All Current Publications

Beeswax is a substance produced by bees for constructing honeycomb in a hive. When raw wax is harvested from the hive, it may be quite dirty and can have many different kinds of debris stuck in it. Because of this, it is important that you clean and process the wax before using it. This fact sheet will teach you how to process the wax that you harvest and provide some suggestions on how you can use it in your home.


Thriving Hives: Cleaning And Sterilizing Beekeeping Equipment, Brynn Meredith, Bailey Parkinson, Andree' Walker Bravo Dec 2024

Thriving Hives: Cleaning And Sterilizing Beekeeping Equipment, Brynn Meredith, Bailey Parkinson, Andree' Walker Bravo

All Current Publications

Honeybees are susceptible to many types of diseases and parasites, most of which can spread easily through equipment. Your hives' health and safety depend on your attention to detail and efforts to keep your equipment clean and sterile. This fact sheet lists several methods for sterilizing beekeeping equipment. The list is not exhaustive but includes some of the most cost-effective options.


Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Beneficial Biological Control Insects, Kaitlin Campbell, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle Oct 2024

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Beneficial Biological Control Insects, Kaitlin Campbell, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle

All Current Publications

On small scales, like school and home gardens, encouraging biological control agents can be highly effective, reducing the need for insecticides that harm the environment, humans, and beneficial insects. This fact sheet provides information on using beneficial insects in your garden and offers a field guide to identify them.


Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus Nenuphar), Kate V. Richardson, Marion Murray Jun 2024

Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus Nenuphar), Kate V. Richardson, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

Plum curculio is a brown weevil (beetle with a snout) native to eastern North America, where it is a major pest of pome and stone fruits. It was detected in Box Elder County, Utah, in the early 1980s, and this population remains the only known infestation in western North America, where it is occasionally found in residential and wild fruit trees. Plum curculio is a quarantine pest in western North America (U.S. and Canada), and fruit grown in infested counties is restricted from being exported. Thus, it is a threat to Utah’s fruit industry and requires ongoing monitoring and management …


Virus Del Marchitamiento Manchado Del Tomate En Tomates Y Pimientos, Claudia Nischwitz, Mariah Noorlander, Mary Ann Hubbell, Celina Wille May 2024

Virus Del Marchitamiento Manchado Del Tomate En Tomates Y Pimientos, Claudia Nischwitz, Mariah Noorlander, Mary Ann Hubbell, Celina Wille

All Current Publications

En Utah, el virus del marchitamiento manchado del tomate (TSWV, por sus siglas en inglés) comúnmente afecta a tomates, pimientos y tomatillos.


Surveying And Evaluating Pests And Beneficial Insects In Utah's Vegetable Production, Nick Volesky, Amelia Olds, Marion Murray Nov 2023

Surveying And Evaluating Pests And Beneficial Insects In Utah's Vegetable Production, Nick Volesky, Amelia Olds, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

The Utah State University (USU) Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program conducted a season-long survey evaluating arthropod pests, plant diseases, pollinators, and other beneficials on a ¼-acre vegetable farm and adjacent pollinator habitat located in Logan, Utah. Understanding the roles of these groups on plant health and the efficacy of nonchemical pest management approaches critically impacts the sustainability of Utah’s vegetable industry. Survey findings have been used as a reference for developing video content, fact sheets, and presentations to educate Utah’s commercial and small-acreage farmers.


Locust Borer, Marion Murray, Ryan Davis Aug 2023

Locust Borer, Marion Murray, Ryan Davis

All Current Publications

The locust borer, Magacyllene robiniae, belongs to the longhorned beetle family, referring to the long antennae of most of the species in this group. In Utah, locust borer has damaged black locust trees in most northern Utah counties. The only host is black locust; honeylocust and other trees are not affected by this pest. This fact sheet describes locust borer and its life cycle, symptoms, and control.


Red Firebug, Kate V. Richardson, Erin Hodgson Aug 2023

Red Firebug, Kate V. Richardson, Erin Hodgson

All Current Publications

Red firebugs, Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae), are true bugs with vibrant red body and wing coloration. These insects are native to central Europe, but are also found in western Siberia, southwestern Mongolia, India and northwestern China. This fact sheet describes red firebug, host plants, nuisance behavior, and management.


Poplar Bud Gall Mite, Marion Murray, Ryan Davis Aug 2023

Poplar Bud Gall Mite, Marion Murray, Ryan Davis

All Current Publications

The poplar bud gall mite belongs to the eriophyid mite family. These mites are microscopic and about one-fourth the size of a spider mite. Adults are about 0.2 mm in length, reddish, and spindle-shaped. This fact sheet reviews poplar bud gall mite biology and habits, damage, and control.


Poplar Borer, Marion Murray, Ryan Davis Aug 2023

Poplar Borer, Marion Murray, Ryan Davis

All Current Publications

The poplar borer is the most commonly submitted wood borer found in aspens and other poplars in Utah. While large trees are seldom killed by this pest, it can cause the decline of trees, weakening of branches or the bole (which promotes wind breakage), and allows the introduction of pathogens. This fact sheet describes poplar borer life cycle, damage, and control.


Escarabajo Japonés, Lori Spears, Diane Alston, Marion Murray, Joey Caputo, Kristopher Watson, Celina Wille Aug 2023

Escarabajo Japonés, Lori Spears, Diane Alston, Marion Murray, Joey Caputo, Kristopher Watson, Celina Wille

All Current Publications

El escarabajo Japonés es una plaga invasora que puede ser muy destructiva para plantas ornamentales, árboles, arbustos, césped, y algunas frutas y hortalizas. El EJ probablemente se introdujo desde Japón al este de los EE. UU. en 1916 durante envíos de plantas ornamentales. Ahora está establecido en la mayoría de los estados del este y algunos del medio oeste.


Picudos En El Césped, Desireè Wickwar, Ricardo Ramírez, Marion Murray, Celina Wille Aug 2023

Picudos En El Césped, Desireè Wickwar, Ricardo Ramírez, Marion Murray, Celina Wille

All Current Publications

Los picudos son gorgojos, un tipo de escarabajo, del género Sphenophorus. Al menos 10 especies de picudos se reconocen como plagas del césped, y se pueden encontrar tanto en céspedes estivales como invernales en todo Estados Unidos.


Mosca Linterna Moteada, Lori R. Spears, Ann Mull, Celina Wille, Marion Murray Aug 2023

Mosca Linterna Moteada, Lori R. Spears, Ann Mull, Celina Wille, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

La mosca linterna moteada es una nueva saltahojas invasiva en Norteamérica. Es originaria del norte de China y se ha extendido a otras partes de Asia, incluidos Vietnam, Japón y Corea del Sur, donde está causando daños significativos a la vid.


Manejo De La Chinche Hedionda Marrón Marmolada Para Frutas Y Hortalizas En Utah, Lori R. Spears, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston, Celina Wille Jul 2023

Manejo De La Chinche Hedionda Marrón Marmolada Para Frutas Y Hortalizas En Utah, Lori R. Spears, Marion Murray, Diane G. Alston, Celina Wille

All Current Publications

La chinche hedionda marrón marmolada es una plaga molesta y conómicamente importante para la agricultura que invadió Norteamérica desde el este de Asia a fines de la década de 1990.


Beginner's Guide To Common Native Bees, Cody Zesiger, Elizabeth Cohen, Hannah Jarvis, Lori R. Spears, Ricardo Ramirez Jul 2023

Beginner's Guide To Common Native Bees, Cody Zesiger, Elizabeth Cohen, Hannah Jarvis, Lori R. Spears, Ricardo Ramirez

All Current Publications

Utah is a superb place for beginning bee enthusiasts. Over 1,000 species of native bees exist in Utah (Cane, 2015). Southern Utah alone has approximately the same number of bee species as the entire eastern U.S. coast. There are many reasons for appreciating bees and encouraging their presence in the landscape. Specifically, bees are key to a sustainable environment as they are essential pollinators of food and fiber crops. Bees can also be appreciated for their striking diversity in color and size. This fact sheet highlights the different bee species that you may see in Utah.


Boxelder Leafroller, Marion Murray, Ryan Davis Jul 2023

Boxelder Leafroller, Marion Murray, Ryan Davis

All Current Publications

The boxelder leafroller, Archips negundana, is a pest of boxelder and other trees and shrubs in parts of the United States and Canada and is commonly found in Utah. Boxelder is the primary host, but damage can also occur on raspberry, birch, elderberry, white elm, and various shrubs.This fact sheet provides information on the boxelder leafroller's life cycle, symptoms of damage, and control methods.


Ticks And Tick-Borne Diseases Of Utah, Kate V. Richardson, Ryan Davis, Ricardo Ramirez Jul 2023

Ticks And Tick-Borne Diseases Of Utah, Kate V. Richardson, Ryan Davis, Ricardo Ramirez

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes ticks and tick-borne diseases in Utah. It includes a description of ticks, their life cycle, habitat, feeding, and reproduction. The fact sheet also provides information about tick bites and safety, common tick-transmitted diseases in Utah, and the status of Lyme disease in Utah.


Balsam Woolly Adelgid, Liz Rideout, Kate V. Richardson, Diane G. Alston, Ryan Davis, Darren Mcavoy, Lori R. Spears, Danielle Malesky, Liz Herbertson, Colleen Keyes Jun 2023

Balsam Woolly Adelgid, Liz Rideout, Kate V. Richardson, Diane G. Alston, Ryan Davis, Darren Mcavoy, Lori R. Spears, Danielle Malesky, Liz Herbertson, Colleen Keyes

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes balsam woolly adelgid, a tiny sucking insect that is a serious pest of true firs in forests, landscapes, and in seed and Christmas tree production. It includes a description of tree injury and symptoms, life history and identification, monitoring, management, and implications to forest health.


Hobo Spider, Kate V. Richardson, Ryan Davis Apr 2023

Hobo Spider, Kate V. Richardson, Ryan Davis

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes the hobo spider, its life cycle, habitat, medical significance, and management options.


Carpenterworm, Dr. Jay B. Karren, Alan H. Roe, Ryan Davis Mar 2023

Carpenterworm, Dr. Jay B. Karren, Alan H. Roe, Ryan Davis

All Current Publications

The larval stage of the carpenterworm, Prionoxystus robiniae is a wood-boring insect that affects various ornamental trees. Unlike most other wood-boring pests of ornamentals, which are mostly beetle larvae, the carpenterworm is a caterpillar belonging to the moth family Cossidae.


Parasitoid Wasps Of The Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug In Utah, Zachary R. Schumm, Kate V. Richardson, Mark Cody Holthouse, Yota Mizuno, Diane G. Alston, Lori R. Spears Feb 2023

Parasitoid Wasps Of The Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug In Utah, Zachary R. Schumm, Kate V. Richardson, Mark Cody Holthouse, Yota Mizuno, Diane G. Alston, Lori R. Spears

All Current Publications

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB, Halyomorpha halys Stål), an invasive insect from eastern Asia, is causing nuisance problems and agricultural damage in northern Utah. Insecticide applications to control this pest are not sustainable, and therefore the focus is on biological control through the use of parasitoid wasps that sting and kill stink bug eggs. Surveys are underway in Utah to search for Samurai wasp (Trissolcus Japonicus [Ashmead]), a parasitoid wasp native to BMSB’s home range that has been found in 12 U.S. States, and is highly effective at killing BMSB eggs. While Samurai wasp has not been found, …