Chris Stelzig

I'm beginning to think that my hat won't fit in my carryon luggage for #EntSoc25.

If you haven't yet heard of the new world screwworm ... you will soon. We've got an open call for papers now for this urgent threat. entsoc.org/publications...

Twenty-four entomological societies, representing nearly 22,000 insect scientists from six continents, agree: "Progress in insect science is shaped not only by the entomologists who study insects but also by the policies and investments of nations."

Limited Time for Peer Review? Choose to Serve Your Profession, Not Shareholders Peer review is a fundamental pillar of science, but scientists are short on time. One entomologist urges you to prioritize reviewing for journals at ESA and other scientific societies.

Thanks to ‪@morrisonlabusda.bsky.social‬ for an important reminder on the why, how, and who of peer review. entomologytoday.org/2025/07/22/l...

Stand up for science: Learn some tips with this webinar. Thursday, May 8, 1-2pm.

U.S. scientists’ lives and careers are being upended. Here are five of their stories As the second Trump administration sends U.S. science into upheaval, countless researchers are fighting for their futures

I am extremely pleased to share this feature articulating why I have lost my sanity lately. www.science.org/content/arti...

‘We cannot survive this’: Trump’s USDA cuts are hurting Greenbrier Valley farmers Across West Virginia’s Greenbrier Valley, federal funding cuts are hurting farmers who supplied fresh food to local schools and food banks.

When you start to get bad press in WV, it may be time to rethink your strategy. mountainstatespotlight.org/2025/04/29/u...

Ag Secretary says White House is “really close” to final plans for USDA realignment USDA staffing cuts and office consolidations are raising bipartisan concerns in Congress - sparking objections...

USDA employees are on edge. Layoffs loom. The mental toll of waiting in silence is immense.
“The ultimate planning and reorganization should be finished... by early to mid May.”
Uncertainty is its own cruelty. Hundreds of agricultural scientists could be cut. 🧪 #entomology

With apologies to all of the other @entsocamerica.bsky.social branches … but NCB wins the coolest location award for the opening reception at the UNL Morrill Hall museum.

USDA to slash headquarters, other staff and relocate some to new 'hubs' around the country Mass layoffs at the Agriculture Department coming within weeks, with Washington facing significant cuts but regional employees also seeing reductions.

It really is hard to keep up on all the winning. I just saw this about USDA HQ moving out of WDC. It was posted two days ago. In years past, this would have been all over my news feed. Now I'm 2 days late. www.govexec.com/workforce/20...

The USDA is intellectually poorer as a result of (all of) this, but I think we all understand your rationale. Peace to you, Brian.

If you want to support the entomological community, the donation page is here: www.entsoc.org/support/memb...

We have received a great response from our members to support this fund, which our @entsocamerica.bsky.social governing board has agreed to double, up to a total of $25,000.

Are you an insect scientist who got DOGE'd? We launched a Support Fund to help keep you connected to @entsocamerica.bsky.social. Apply for a 2025 dues waiver and stay connected to the largest insect science society in the world. entsocawards.smapply.org/prog/member_...

Amazing crowd in DC today.

I’m not going to be a spoiler, but I bet my Bluesky feed will love today’s Strands @nytimes.com

A Letter to Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy March 26, 2025 Dear Mr. Kratsios: Scientific progress and technological innovation were the twin engines that powered the American century.  The

The WH is asking OSTP for some suggestions on "how to revitalize America's science and technology enterprise." IMHO, it starts with not defunding America's science and technology enterprise.
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...

Andrine and her husband kevin stand in front of what is left of their burned house. There's mostly piles of bricks and one metal table.

Ento friends! Andrine Shufran, one of the hardest working outreach entomologists I know, lost everything in the OK Fires; 💔 GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-andri...

DOGE order leads to journal cancellations by U.S. agricultural library “We can’t do science without these,” one researcher says of the hundreds of journals no longer accessible

DOGE-driven journal cancellations at USDA's National Agricultural Library: '[like] burning down the Library of Alexandria.' #scientificpublishing #libraryscience #academiclibraries @science.org www.science.org/content/arti...

They were working to ensure invasive pests didn't destroy U.S. crops — until they were abruptly fired USDA experts have been swept up in the Trump administration’s frenzied and turbulent efforts to drastically shrink the federal workforce.

I appreciate seeing MSM starting to pick up on this story. Also NBC News, www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna194... and industry trade pubs.

DOGE’s Cuts at the USDA Could Cause US Grocery Prices to Rise and Invasive Species to Spread Thousands of US Department of Agriculture employees, including food inspectors and disease-sniffing dog trainers, remain out of work, leaving food to rot in ports and pests to proliferate.

"Kit Johnson, the director of trade compliance at the US customers broker John S. James, also predicts prices and waste to increase. But what raises the most alarms for him is the increased likelihood of invasive species slipping through inspection cracks." (1/2) buff.ly/Q1DapkQ

Opinion | Musk Said No One Has Died Since Aid Was Cut. That Isn’t True. A journey through the front lines of global poverty shows that when the world’s richest men slash aid for the world’s poorest children, the result is sickness, starvation and death.

This is a hard (emotionally) read, but important to show the real and deadly impacts of these cuts. People are dying right now, not just programs and American global influence. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

I was just informed that the USDA-ARS National Agricultural Library has canceled many of their subscriptions to science journals. Tell me how this is efficient?!? Scientists need these journals to ... you know .... do science! This feels a lot like abdicating scientific leadership. SMH

They were working to ensure invasive pests didn't destroy U.S. crops — until they were abruptly fired USDA experts have been swept up in the Trump administration’s frenzied and turbulent efforts to drastically shrink the federal workforce.

Nice work NBC on this piece which goes into some great detail on the invasive species impacts of these cuts. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

We weren't sure it would be possible, but huge thanks to the Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America for supporting a last-minute symposium highlighting stories from terminated federal employees at the meeting on March 17th. #entomology 🧪

esa.confex.com/esa/2025eb/m...

The Far-Reaching Harms of Cuts to Entomological Research, Part 1 Pretending that federal cuts to entomological research will save money is like deciding to save on farming costs by not buying seeds—you're cutting the very foundation of future growth and…

As dismissals and program closures mount at agencies like the USDA-ARS, ripple effects will include more pests in fields, fewer pollinators, rising food costs, and more invasive species. Learn more in part one of a new series on impacts of cuts to federal funding for insect science. buff.ly/tzR2Ta7

STAND UP FOR SCIENCE March 7, 2025. Washington DC and nationwide. Because science is for everyone.

A grassroots organization of scientists (@standupforscience.bsky.social) has organized “Stand Up for Science” rallies in Washington, DC, and 31 other U.S. cities this Friday, March 7. If you plan to participate, be sure to explore ESA’s Advocacy Resources. Links and examples below! buff.ly/9yvl4ec

Trump administration ordered to reinstate thousands of fired USDA workers The decision is a blow to the Trump administration’s effort to drastically and quickly shrink the federal bureaucracy.

This is good news. For now. But keep the foot on the gas, science. There is more to be done. www.politico.com/news/2025/03...

I had to come all the way to Puerto Rico to catch up with one of my favorite Brits. #AMCA @flygirlnhm.bsky.social

Jenny. One of Us. Happenings in the insect world

"This week the UC Davis-educated medical entomologist ... was terminated from her job as a Malaria Outbreak Emergency Advisor for the USAID. ... She worked to support President's Malaria Initiative countries in Africa with strategic planning for malaria outbreaks."