the bug geek

I can't be the only person who read this article on "delusional infestation" waiting for @ardemp.bskyverified.social to explain the molecular basis of the "delusion."

Or maybe I am?

www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/o...

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Thanks for the gift foreign affairs article, I don't see them often and they are always good.

For Bed Bugs, Mortality Shifts With Varying Heat, Humidity Combos A new study finds low humidity generally decreases bed bug survival, but the best combination was high humidity (90%) and high heat (40 degrees Celsius).

A new study examines how heat and humidity combos affect bed bug mortality. While low humidity increases stress, the most lethal pairing was 40°C at 90% humidity. These findings offer critical data for refining heat treatments in managed facilities.

entomologytoday.org/2026/02/09/b...

Inside a Fly Larva's Gut, Microbes Take a Bite Out of Plastic New research finds black soldier fly larvae can eat and partially break down polyurethane, thanks to their gut microbes.

Nature's tiniest recyclers just leveled up. Black soldier fly larvae can eat polyurethane plastic — and it's their gut microbes doing the heavy lifting. One bacterial strain actually breaks down the stuff. The future of plastic waste might be very, very small.

entomologytoday.org/2026/02/10/b...

New Funding Opportunity: The Fiscal Year 2026 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) has been announced with $7M in anticipated funding.

Seeking research in Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Diagnosis to protect Service Members.

cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2...

The USDA-APHIS has launched the $100M New World Screwworm Grand Challenge! 🪰 Seeking innovations in sterile fly production, traps, lures, and animal treatments to stop the spread of NWS.

📅 Apply by Feb 23, 2026
💰 Up to $5M per award

www.grants.gov/search-resul...

The Army recently highlighted Captain Jordan Cornell's work as Entomology Chief for Public Health in Europe. His role focuses on vector surveillance and mitigation strategies to reduce disease risk for the warfighter.

www.army.mil/article/2904...

Beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever: investigation of the presence and diversity of spotted fever Rickettsia species in ticks submitted from forestry workers Abstract. Ticks present a significant risk to people in the southern United States, particularly those who spend time outdoors, as ticks can transmit agent

Recent investigation reveals a high diversity of Rickettsia species in ticks beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever. For military medicine, this highlights the need for broader diagnostic awareness when treating personnel stationed in wooded training environments.

academic.oup.com/jme/article-...

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Thanks for the gift 💚

I see this happening on the Mississippi River floodplain. Not nearly as many pecans and oaks and a ridiculously high percentage of silver maples and sycamores. Not sure how much of it is due to locks and dams jacking up the hydrology and how much is something else.

Forests are changing fast and scientists are deeply concerned Forests around the world are quietly transforming, and not for the better. A massive global analysis of more than 31,000 tree species reveals that forests are becoming more uniform, increasingly domin...

Diversity is strength.

Forests are changing fast and scientists are deeply concerned | ScienceDaily share.google/fGhSp16CdPCp...

Thanks for the gift article 💚

Deadlier Than Gettysburg How the cruelty of the Confederacy’s prison camps gave rise to the rules of war

www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...

Nominations are open for the 2026 David Cooksey PestVet of the Year Award! This is a great chance to recognize a U.S. military veteran who has demonstrated excellence and selfless service within the pest management industry.

www.npmapestworld.org/your-busines...

Biotechnology Breaks Through in FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act - Biotech Biotechnology Breaks Through in FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act  With 17 new provisions, Committees embrace the critical role biotech plays in shaping the future of national security.     9...

The FY2026 NDAA establishes a new Biotechnology Management Office to accelerate the development of bio-based defense solutions. This means new support for biomanufacturing innovative pest controls and enhanced intelligence sharing on biological threats.

www.biotech.senate.gov/press-releas...

Pest & Farm Management: Top 7 US Trends For 2026 Discover advanced pest management, farm management, and sustainable crop management trends for 2025—integrating IPM, precision tech, and eco-friendly strategies.

The 2026 outlook for IPM focuses on AI-driven advisory systems, drone-based surveillance, and biological controls like entomopathogenic fungi. Precision technology is now a primary driver in reducing pesticide use while maintaining force protection.

farmonaut.com/usa/pest-far...

Without forests, mosquitoes turn to human blood Deforestation might lead to more deadly mosquito bites.

New research shows that deforestation in the Atlantic Forest is driving mosquito species to seek human blood as their preferred hosts disappear. This highlights an increasing risk of new disease vectors emerging in changing environments.

www.popsci.com/environment/...

Beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever: investigation of the presence and diversity of spotted fever Rickettsia species in ticks submitted from forestry workers Abstract. Ticks present a significant risk to people in the southern United States, particularly those who spend time outdoors, as ticks can transmit agent

Recent investigation reveals a high diversity of Rickettsia species in ticks beyond Rocky Mountain spotted fever. For military medicine, this highlights the need for broader diagnostic awareness when treating personnel stationed in wooded training environments.

academic.oup.com/jme/advance-...

Ticks Crowned National Pest Management Association’s 2025 Pest of the Year as ER Visits Hit Five-Year High NPMA names ticks 2025 Pest of the Year as CDC reports record tick bite ER visits. Learn about tick-borne diseases, prevention, and pest control tips.

The NPMA has named ticks the 2025 Pest of the Year. With ER visits for bites at a 5-year high and the rise of Alpha-gal syndrome, it is a critical time for the AFPMB to reinforce the use of treated uniforms and personal protective measures (PPM) across the Force.

www.pestworld.org/multimedia-c...

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Rare exotic tick species identified in Connecticut The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has identified four nonnative exotic tick species in Connecticut in recent years, with the blood-feeding

Globalization means vector threats can hitch a ride. Surveillance is paramount: exotic tick species from Central America, Europe, and Africa are being intercepted on returning travelers. Vigilance is critical at ports of entry to protect CONUS and global force health. ysph.yale.edu/news-article...

Traps baited with dry ice outperform cloth drags for capturing ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in 3 widely separated geographic regions Abstract. Surveillance is crucial for monitoring tick populations and assessing disease risk. We tested the hypothesis that dry ice-baited traps with a dow

New research in the Journal of Medical Entomology shows dry ice-baited traps significantly outperform traditional cloth drags for capturing Ixodidae ticks. This finding offers military entomologists a more efficient method for field surveillance and risk assessment.

academic.oup.com/jme/advance-...

Backyard insect inspires large-scale invisibility particles production | Penn State University A team at Penn State has now developed a high-speed platform capable of producing synthetic versions of brochosomes at a rate exceeding 100,000 per second, a technological achievement that could lead ...

Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in mass-producing synthetic "brochosomes"—nanostructures used by leafhoppers to hide. This discovery paves the way for new bio-inspired camouflage and optical coatings for military equipment and personnel.

www.psu.edu/news/materia...

Recent Florida Cases of Chikungunya Linked to Cuba Travelers, Reminder Vector-Borne Illness is Still Circulating Contagion Live During this time of year, much of the US becomes too cold for mosquitos to transmit vector-borne diseases. However, Chikungunya is still be transmitted in tropical environments. For …

Health officials report a surge in Chikungunya cases among travelers returning from the Caribbean and Cuba. With 2025 cases rising, military personnel traveling to tropical regions must prioritize mosquito bite prevention to maintain readiness and avoid infection.

www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...

Thank you for the gift article

Thank you for the gift article

1st Death Linked to ‘Meat Allergy’ Spread by Ticks A healthy 47-year-old man from New Jersey died abruptly four hours after consuming beef -- the first confirmed death from the "meat allergy."

UVA Health confirms first death linked to tick-borne alpha-gal meat allergy. Lone Star tick bites can sensitize individuals to the sugar alpha-gal, causing fatal anaphylaxis risk. Prioritize surveillance and soldier education on tick avoidance!

newsroom.uvahealth.com/2025/11/13/1...