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Tick Talk Time

Monday, May 6th, 2019

Black-legged tick life stages. From left: adult female, adult male, nymph, larva.Photo credits: Lee Green, Medical Entomologist, Indiana State Department of Health It is tick talk time, but when I say “tick talk” I am not referring to a timekeeping device, such as a watch or a clock. I am simply pointing out that spring…

Insects as Pets: Consider the Advantages

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019

Pets are part of the family for nearly 62% of Americans. According to a recent pet census, a whopping 69.9 million dogs are kept as pets in the United States. And get this: There are even more cats – 74.1 million of them. That seems like a lot of dogs and cats.  U.S. pet ownership…

Insect Biomimicry and Why I love Spider-Man

Friday, March 1st, 2019

You might think it strange to see a small kid, all by himself, dressed in red and black, lurking in random corners of the home. He crouches, motionless, silent, ever-watching for a chance to spring upon some unsuspecting passerby. This might freak out other people, but for me it is a welcome sight. It is…

Valentine’s Day Strategies – Tips I have learned from insects

Friday, February 8th, 2019

Valentine’s Day is nearly here so, as an alert to all guys out there who have significant others and want to keep them, do not forget February 14th.  It is pretty important to your relationship, and flubbing this one is akin to forgetting her birthday or wondering why she is not home and suddenly remembering…

Insects May Be Smiling on the Inside

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019

As a fourth-grader I drew my first real insect in art class. I think it was a pretty good rendering. It was anatomically correct for the most part, right up until the very end when, as children often do, I planted a big ole smiley face on the head, two dots for eyes, a circle…

Plan to Run from Killer Bees

Thursday, December 6th, 2018

This spring, for the second time since 2005, A.J. Foyt was attacked by Africanized, killer bees. Known to millions of fans simply as A.J., the American race car driving legend won a staggering number of races in several types of cars. He is one of three (Rick Mears and Al Unser) drivers to win the…

Monarch Majesty and Mimicry

Thursday, November 8th, 2018

When going to work each morning, my son-in-law dons nicely pressed khaki pants, a collared shirt and polished shoes. He even combs and wears mousse in his hair. He carries his cellphone on a clip on his belt next to his keys for all to see. His name and the company he works for are…

Along Came a Spider . . . Web

Thursday, October 4th, 2018

Spiders are at once one of the most feared — yet beneficial and misunderstood — and studied animal in the world. Legend suggests that the mere sighting of a spider brings good luck for the day, and many cultures adhere to the myth that killing a spider will bring seriously bad luck. Not only are spiders…

Why Did the Woolly Bear Cross the Road?

Wednesday, September 5th, 2018

Dear Dr. Tim: Have you noticed the hairy caterpillars crossing paved roads recently? What are they, where did they come from and why are they crossing the roads? Isn’t that a dumb thing to do? Don’t they know they could be run over? Concerned Driver. Dear Concerned Driver: If you are driving right now, I…

Moles, myths and misconceptions

Tuesday, August 7th, 2018

Occasionally I am asked to speak at landscape management meetings about moles – you know, the furry little animals that tunnel just below ground and make such a mess of a lawn. I don’t know why they ask me, an insect scientist, to speak about moles? I assume it is because it just dawned on…