Articles by: Brenna Shea

Notes from the Lab: Spider Myths (Part I)

In the current age of information accessibility, knowledge transmission happens almost instantaneously. While many would argue this is largely beneficial, it also means misinformation is traveling at lightning speed. Once […]

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Notes from the Lab: Mountain Pine Beetle

Mountain pine beetles have a nasty reputation in the Intermountain West. Many are familiar with the term “beetle kill,” and witnessed the damage a beetle infestation can cause. Efforts to […]

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Notes from the Lab: Insect Sleep

Sleep is nearly universal within animals. Though it may present differently between species, everyone needs a rest now and then. Insects are no exception. Sleep signatures in insects resemble those […]

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Notes from the Lab: Mad Honey

Humans and honey have a long historical association. Beekeeping emerged in ancient Egypt nearly 10,000 years ago, but evidence of wild honey collection dates even further. For nearly 15,000 years, humans […]

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Notes from the Lab: Entomophagy

What did you have for breakfast this morning? Cereal? Eggo waffles? Pan-fried scorpion? If consuming insects has never crossed your mind, then you’d be considered the minority. Western culture has […]

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Notes from the Lab: Bloodsuckers

Happy Halloween to you all! We’re wrapping up this month’s gruesome topics with a primer on the vampires of the insect world. Mosquitos have certainly earned their place as the number one […]

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Notes from the Lab: Forensic Entomology

It’s no secret that certain insects have long been associated with death and decay. Flies and their offspring, carrion beetles; they are the masters of decomposition, responsible for the rather […]

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Notes from the Lab: True Body Horror

Love them or hate them, insects have mastered a myriad of strategies to ensure their permanence in our world. Even those with an affinity for bugs have to admit that […]

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Notes from the Lab: Woolly Bear Folklore

Insect-inspired folklore is rampant throughout human history; from the ancient Egyptians, who believed bees were the sacred tears of the sun god, Ra, to the many cultures who revered the praying […]

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