Research Unplugged On the Road

Thank a Bee! Why Pollination is Important in Pennsylvania

October 21, 2021

Presented by Natalie Boyle. A plant may start to prime its defenses as soon as it gets a whiff of a male fly searching fora mate, according to Penn State entomologists. Once tall goldenrod plants smell a sex attractant emitted by true fruit fly males, they appear to prepare chemical defenses that make them less appealing to female flies that could damage the plants by depositing eggs on them. Recent research looks at potential benefits for agriculture of this unexpected interaction.

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Plants Smell: Goldenrod Can Sniff Out Danger

October 14, 2021

Presented by Dr. John Tooker. Pollination is a critical service that humans rely on for 75% of the foods we eat! In this talk we will introduce you to the diversity of pollinators in Pennsylvania, how, when, and why they are important, and share some of the research being conducted by scientists in the Center for Pollinator Research.

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Toxicology Research to Support Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management - A Balancing Act

October 7, 2021

Presented by Dr. Rose Fang. Pesticides are mainstays for sustainable pest management in crop systems. However, pests evolve a high level of pesticide resistance and many pesticides have the potential to harm pollinators. Our toxicology research aims to uncover the genes, pathways, and mechanisms responsible for pesticide resistance and chemical adaptation in pests and pollinators.

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