Selected Press
What the heck do ladybugs eat, anyway?
Prevention | 2021-07-18
Ladybugs are actually “lady beetles” that belong to the family Coccinellidae, says Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University. Despite the name, though, not all ladybugs are female. In case you're not familiar with them, ladybugs are small — usually less than 1/4 inch long, Russell says — with a round or oval shape and a bright orange or red color. “Their blood or hemolymph contains toxins that repel or discourage would-be predators,” Russell says, meaning their bright coloring probably servings as a big warning sign.
How Much Should I Worry About Ticks?
Slate | 2021-06-29
Across the United States, the tiny pests could turn up in record numbers, experts predict, burrowing into the skin around ankles and hitching rides on pets. In general, will ticks just be worse and worse every year? Some experts think so. “I think there's a good chance of that,” says Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University. He says that at least in Southern Michigan, as in other areas, ticks have gotten more prevalent every year, and there's no reason to think the trend will reverse itself any time soon.
When will the cicadas go away? Here's how long they're expected to stick around
Yahoo | 2021-05-31
After months of anticipation, Brood X is finally here. This swarm of noisy periodical cicadas is slowly emerging across the northeastern U.S. Hilarious commentary (and incredible videos!) of the bulbous-eyed bugs are already showing up all over social media. What will the aftermath of the cicadas look like? There are a few potential things you'll spot. There will be “lots of dead cicadas, like millions of them,” says Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University. And, unfortunately, you may notice some dead tree branches. “The branch tips of trees where the females laid their eggs will die,” Russell says.
This simple light bulb hack may keep bugs away from your home
Prevention | 2021-05-10
Wait, why are some bugs attracted to light? This is actually a question that's still trying to be answered. “Nobody really knows for sure why some bugs are attracted to light,” says Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University. In fact, in one 2016 study, researchers compared different types of light bulbs between July and September in open grassland around sunset (to ensure there was nothing else attracting the bugs). They collected insects in custom-made traps and found that the worst option for outdoor lighting was traditional incandescent bulbs, which attracted the most bugs. LEDs on the other hand—both “cool‐white” and “warm‐white”— were the least attractive to insects. Yellow-hued light bulbs are worth trying, too. “Yellow lights — and red lights — do not attract insects as much as regular white lights,” Russell says.
