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I visit pumpkin farms across Pennsylvania to investigate host-pathogen dynamics in bee communities. In pumpkin fields, we typically see three bee species foraging – honey bees, wild bumble bees and wild squash bees. Haven’t heard of squash bees before? These are incredibly important, solitary bees that specialize on the pollen of pumpkin and squash. In fact, they are some of the best pollinators for pumpkin crops in Pennsylvania! Unlike social honey bees and bumble bees

The impact of climate change on crop-pollinator interactions This International Research Experiences for Students (iRES) program will provide undergraduate student eight-week of a virtual research experience working with mentors from Colombia and Peru. Projects will focus on studying how environmental factors impact plant-pollinator interactions in agricultural areas. Students will participate in interdisciplinary research guided by mentors representing entomology, ecology, engineering, and climate science. Students will receive $4,000 for their participation in the program. Mentors participating

Honey bee colonies have been in decline in recent years due to many factors, including lack of high-quality nutrition, exposure to pesticides, and pressure from pests and pathogens. Infestations of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor play a large role in these staggering colony losses. These mites feed on the fat body and hemolymph of bees, and in the process, they transmit a cocktail of viruses that weakens the individuals and eventually the whole colony. For

The Entomological Society of America is hosting its annual meeting virtually this year due to the pandemic. Check out the talks that members of our lab will be presenting during the next 2 weeks! All talks are pre-recorded and available on-demand!   Engaging young audiences into scientific discourse through beekeeping activities Robyn Underwood, Brooke Lawrence, and Margarita López-Uribe.  Talk on-demand: https://cdmcd.co/gbvRRj Pathogen dynamics between managed and wild bee populations in agroecosystems Laura Jones, Ginamaría Román-Echevarría, Kristen

Wednesdays @4PM (EST) – 1h 15 min via zoom; weekly from November 4th to December 16th Join us for the Beekeeping Winter Webinar Series organized moderated by Tom Butzler, Robyn Underwood, and Margarita López-Uribe from Penn State Extension. These six webinars will cover a number of timely topics about beekeeping biology, basic and advanced management practices.   The series of 6 webinars series will take place weekly on Wednesdays from 4 PM to 5:15 PM