Michael Wolfin News Today

Lanternflys attraction to vertical silhouettes could help monitor, trap it Amy Duke March 29, 2021 UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Like moths to a flame, spotted lanternflies are visually drawn toward and seemingly captivated by vertical objects such as utility poles, a behavior that could be valuable in predicting where the pests might be heading, according to entomologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Research from the laboratory of Tom Baker, recently published in the Journal...

Like moths to a flame, spotted lanternflies are visually drawn toward and seemingly captivated by vertical objects such as utility poles, a behavior that could be valuable in predicting where the pests might be heading, according to entomologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Research from the laboratory of Tom Baker, recently published in the Journal of Insect Behavior, is laying the foundation for future strategies to monitor and possibly trap the invasive insect from...

The tiny insects damage mushrooms, limit yields and make harvesting a hassle. Penn State photos courtesy of Michael Wolfin Mush 1 This simple screen over a mushroom growing room window is loaded with an environmentally friendly pesticide that kills mushroom phorid flies by the millions. PSU The swarming flies also irk the neighbors, entering homes by the thousands as they leave mushroom houses in search of mates. Mushrooms aren’t going to leave Chester Co...