–by Jeff Whitworth — Field Crops, Entomology

Just  FYI: Kansas State University and the Department of Entomology are super proud to announce that starting with this fall semester there is a new undergraduate degree available in Entomology.  Thus, KSU and Entomology are now offering a Bachelor’s Degree in Entomology.  Previously, only Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees were offered by KSU’s Entomology Department, which historically has been one of the top rated departments for research and academics.  If interested in Entomology’s Bachelor degree program please contact Dr. Brian McCormack, Department Head, or Dr. Jeremy Marshall, Undergraduate Coordinator.

–by Sharon Schroll

What did the caterpillar do on New Year’s Day?

It turned over a new leaf.

–by Frannie Miller, Pesticide Safety & IPM Coordinator

The Kansas State Pesticide Safety and Integrated Pest Management program is excited to announce the availability of our “Wacky Entomologist” card game. The cards feature art created by Kansas youth selected from the 2020 Insect Art Contest winners. We truly have some talented artists in the state of Kansas, and this is a unique way to highlight their art. The game is like “Old Maid,” but the objective is to help the “Wacky Entomologist” match all the insects and not get stuck holding the spider. This resource would be great for summer camps, preschool teachers, art lovers and anyone who has insect-loving youth. The cards can be purchased for $10.00 at: commerce.cashnet.com/IPMKSU.

–by Frannie Miller — Pesticide Safety and IPM Coordinator

The Kansas State Research and Extension Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety Education program is wrapping up their third year of the Insect Art Contest. The theme this year was the “Benefits of Insects” and the goal was to explore how insects are beneficial to us and society. A total of 179 entries were received from youth across the state. The entries were submitted in four age categories and a panel of judges selected the top four entries in each age range. The entries were then posted for the public to vote on the winners.

The overall category winners for the 2022 Insect Art Contest, based on age group, are listed below:

Please help us congratulate these talented and artistic students! Please visit https://www.facebook.com/KSRE-Pesticide-Safety-and-Integrated-Pest-Management-Program-109039044075447 to see the rest of the winners.

–by Sharon Schroll

Today, I saw a green insect on a car window. It must have been some kind of glasshopper.