Department of Entomology

Pin-Chu Lai stands in front of extension building near sign
The Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff welcomed Dr. Pin-Chu Lai, entomologist and Nebraska Extension specialist, on Jan. 2, 2024. (Photo by Chabella Guzman)

Entomologist Leaves Humid Climates Behind for Semi-arid Plains

February 1, 2024
Dr. Pin-Chu Lai joined the university's faculty in January as the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center's new entomologist and Nebraska Extension specialist.

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Julie Peterson mugshot
Julie Peterson has been named the associate director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte. The appointment took effect Sept. 1, 2023.

Peterson Named Associate Director of West Central Research, Extension and Education Center

October 27, 2023
An entomologist and extension specialist, Peterson also leads the Agroecosystems Entomology Lab, and her research focuses on practical applications for integrated pest management of field crops.

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Troy Anderson in university lab
A research team that included Husker entomologist Troy Anderson has discovered a potential breakthrough in combating the Varroa mite, a parasite whose spread of viruses can trigger catastrophic losses of honey bee colonies. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication and Marketing)

Research Boosts Honey Bee Protection Against Deadly Viruses

August 25, 2023
The research team, which includes Husker entomologist Troy Anderson, has identified a drug treatment that stimulates and dramatically strengthens honey bees’ immune systems.

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Farm Sci-Ed program logo

More Farm Sci-Ed Videos Available to View Online

October 7, 2021
Eight video episodes have been released and available to view online in the Farm Sci-Ed video series, which highlights the “science and education behind farming” and integrated pest management research.

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Farm Sci-Ed program logo

Farm Sci-Ed Video Series Kicks Off

August 26, 2021
The Farm Sci-Ed program focusing on highlighting the “science and education behind farming” and integrated pest management research released its first video in a series about research projects happening within the Nebraska Panhandle.

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Kyle Koch
Kyle Koch

Kyle Koch Named New Insect Diagnostician

July 24, 2019
Kyle Koch has joined the Department of Entomology as the new Nebraska Extension insect diagnostician and assistant extension educator.

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Western bean cutworm eggs (Photo by Jen Bruggeman)
Western bean cutworm eggs (Photo by Jen Bruggeman)

Introducing the 'Western Bean Cutworm Central' Webpage

March 8, 2019
This new webpage is designed to serve as a clearinghouse of information related to western bean cutworm biology, behavior, and management in both corn and dry bean agroecosystems.

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Figure 1. Nebraska's Joe Louis with a collection of leaves infested by corn-leaf aphids. Louis and his colleagues have found that spraying a corn plant with one of its own defensive compounds might reduce aphid colonization by as much as 30%. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication)
Figure 1. Nebraska's Joe Louis with a collection of leaves infested by corn-leaf aphids. Louis and his colleagues have found that spraying a corn plant with one of its own defensive compounds might reduce aphid colonization by as much as 30%. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication)

Experiments Underscore Overlooked Aspect of Defending Corn from Pest

March 4, 2019
Spraying a corn plant with one of its own compounds — 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid, or OPDA — can help deter the virus-carrying, pollination-disrupting insect known as the corn-leaf aphid.

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