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College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences

And then there were three: New termite species identified in California

ENTOMOLOGY TODAY - In southern California, subterranean termites in the genus Reticulitermes are a common scourge, responsible for significant economic damage in that part of the state. Early studies of these termites indicated that only two pest species existed—Reticulitermes hesperus and Reticulitermes tibialis. However, a 2023 study by Chow-Yang Lee, Ph.D. , endowed presidential chair...

By Andrew Porterfield | Entomology Today |

Squashing the spotted lanternfly problem may require enlisting other species

SCIENCE NEWS - A beautiful menace is on the move in the United States. Polka-dotted, red-and-gray-winged insects are gliding along sidewalks, climbing on plants and crawling up buildings. Spotted youngsters are leaping away to avoid a sticky end at the bottom of a shoe. Welcome to spotted lanternfly season. An invasive plant hopper native to...
By Erin Garcia de Jesús | Science News |

It's tarantula mating season. Where you can spot the spider and how to avoid getting bit

LOS ANGELES TIMES - If you suffer from arachnophobia, this is the time of year when you’re most likely to run into one of your worst nightmares: a tarantula. It’s mating season for most of the 29 species of tarantulas in the United States, 10 of which can be found in California, according to Los...
By Karen Garcia | LA Times |

New system attracts and eliminates termites with a natural scent and no toxins

EARTH.COM - Sagging beams and hollow‑sounding walls can signal a menace that quietly drains bank accounts around the world – termites. Building owners and insurers spend close to $5 billion a year fixing damage and fighting infestations. Now, a team of researchers led by Dong‑Hwan Choe at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) say they...
By Jordan Joseph | Earth.com |

A plague of pests is coming for California. Here’s how to stop it.

THE NEW YORK TIMES - Back in the late 1880s, California citrus farmers found themselves dealing with a crisis caused by a fat bug covered in a shieldlike, granular white wax. Known as the cottony cushion scale, this insect, which had hitchhiked aboard ships from Australia, usually spends its entire life with its mouth affixed...
By Andrew Zaleski | The New York Times |

The self-preserving reason queen bees take small breaks

A-Z ANIMALS - In chess, the queen is the most valuable piece for a player. She’s capable of making any move, which also makes her the most protected after the king. In a bee colony, the queen holds the same rank. She plays the role of a worker bee, mother, and a leader. Without her...
By Lianna Tedesco | A-Z Animals |

Following massive colony loss in early 2025, new methods analyzing temperature data help beekeepers predict issues in the hive

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE - Project Apis m. reported massive colony loss in early 2025, estimating around 1.6 million colonies lost in a report from April — a large number considering the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated the total number of United States colonies is 2.7 million. While there have been continuous losses of 30...
By Katelyn Burns | The California Aggie |
SoCal Conference on Ecological Change

UCR hosts inaugural Southern California Conference on Ecological Change

The UC Riverside departments of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology, Botany and Plant Sciences, and Environmental Sciences hosted the inaugural Southern California Conference on Ecological Change on February 14. The inaugural event was organized in response to the effects of warming climate, larger and more frequent fires, urbanization and land development, and invasive species on...

Smart sensors help beekeepers monitor hive health

EARTH.COM - Honeybees have been indispensable to agriculture for centuries. Their role in pollination supports food production, contributing to the growth of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and coffee. Without bees and proper hive health, many crops would struggle, leading to food shortages. But bee populations are shrinking due to bad weather, chemicals, and pests. This harms...
By Sanjana Gajbhiye | Earth.com |

5 of the scariest spiders in existence

THE WEEK - Spiders are some of the most diverse creatures on Earth. While they can be frightening, most of them are harmless and skittish. However, some spiders are dangerous — or deadly. Several species have venom that is toxic to humans and can have long-lasting, even fatal, consequences. Here are some of the scariest...
By Devika Rao | The Week |
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