With vector-borne diseases receiving increased national media attention, accurate & effective science communication is more important than ever. August 26 at 1:00 p.m. is the first webinar in our series addressing misinformation & disinformation: Register here: extension.psu.edu/vectored-aca...

🦟 Join us on July 21 at 1 PM ET for our Vector Bite Risk Reduction and Field Safety webinar! Learn practical, evidence-based strategies to prevent vector bites, promote safe field practices, and communicate protective measures effectively across diverse audiences.

Meet Lion 🐴 — my yearling colt and unofficial research assistant. As a med/vet entomologist working on ticks, flies, and other pests affecting animals and people, I am very concerned about a proposed Office of Management and Budget rule that could be catastrophic for U.S. science.

Less than a day left to register for this Webinar! 🦠 Biting Pests: The History of Lyme Disease 📅 Date: May 26, 2026 ⏰ Time: 12:00pm EDT 🔗 Register here: lnkd.in/eTu7zAHf

Last few days to register! Don’t miss this upcoming webinar about vector-borne disease epidemiology! Hope to see you there. 🔗 Register here: extension.psu.edu/vector-borne...

Erika Machtinger@machtingerlab.bsky.social · 5mo ago

🦠 Biting Pests: The History of Lyme Disease In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Penn State Extension and VectorED Network are hosting a webinar that takes a step back to explore how our understanding of Lyme disease has evolved—and why that history still matters today.

🦠 Biting Pests: The History of Lyme Disease In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Penn State Extension and VectorED Network are hosting a webinar that takes a step back to explore how our understanding of Lyme disease has evolved—and why that history still matters today.

🦠 Vector-Borne Disease Epidemiology for Educators Join Penn State Extension and VectorED Network for a professional development webinar designed to strengthen your understanding of vector-borne diseases and how to communicate risk effectively.

Every year, tick-borne diseases spread further, threatening families nationwide. With critical funding for research & prevention at risk, we need leaders to act NOW. Urge Congress to Reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act - our health depends on it! Demand action: bit.ly/4l1Ntsk

Hear from @machtingerlab.bsky.social if you should be worried about ticks.

The New York Times@nytimes.com · last yr.

Tick populations are increasing, possibly a result of climate change, and tick-related ER visits are spiking across the U.S. Experts share advice on how to assess your risk.

Today’s special: Meat with a side of maggots. 🪰 New research suggests Neanderthals may have eaten fermented, maggot-rich meat, not just for survival, but as a routine (and nutritious) part of their diet. theconversation.com/neanderthals... #science #anthropology

Neanderthals likely ate fermented meat with a side of maggots

New research highlights the prevalence of maggots as an easily obtained, nutrient-rich supplement of ancient hominin diets.

theconversation.com

I recently shared insights on the growing challenge of tick-borne diseases in our state with Penn State's Institute of Energy and the Environment. From Lyme disease to emerging threats, understanding prevention is key to keeping our communities safe. iee.psu.edu/news/blog/un...

Understanding and preventing tick-borne disease in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the top states in the U.S. for reported cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. To better understand the risks and how to stay safe, we spoke with Erika Machtinger...

iee.psu.edu

📢Workshop Announcement📢 We have exciting news! The VectorED Network and PSU Extension are hosting a hands-on ectoparasite workshop at the ESA August meeting in Baltimore, MD on August 10th. 🦟🔬 Learn more and register now! entsoc.org/events/ecopa...

So excited to see one of my articles out in the wild (@ Abington Equine Hospital)! Lots of good information on fly management in this issue.

Want to understand Lyme disease and host-parasite interactions better? We learned more about how white-footed mice (key Lyme disease reservoirs) respond to ticks. The results might surprise you! #PublicHealth #TickBorne #Research Listen to the podcast 👉: spti.fi/mORwnw1

Permission to Bite: Exploring White-Footed Mice and Their Surprising Tick Responses

Attachment Issues: New Frontiers in Ectoparasites Research · Episode

spti.fi

Want more information on how to prevent tick bites? Want to watch a video? Or read a fact sheet? Want horse-specific information? Or something about dogs? You can find it all in the new Vector Education, Communication, and Training Online Resource (VECTOR) Library!

The 2025 field season is off to a great start! Our VectorED TEC interns are learning deer handling, out in the field mouse trapping, and conducting tick surveillance. They are also learning some vet skills, including skin biopsies and sutures and blood draws. A lot to get through in just two weeks!

Wrapped up year 3 collaborating with BFREE in Belize looking at tick diversity. Another amazing trip and 🤞 for upcoming proposals so we can continue! www.bfreebz.org

Another amazing day in Belize. Anyone want to guess the animal these ticks are on?

Another amazing trip to Belize. Can anyone guess what animal these ticks are on?

First morning back in the jungle @ Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education - Full day of tick dragging and grant planning ahead!

Response requested!! I'm asking those of you that have homes, farms, or manage property (public or private) to answer one question regarding Tick Control Tubes! pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

From Bites to Insights workshop has started! Gearing up for a full day for vector and ectoparasite education and training. A VectorED Network and Penn State Extension collaboration with the MUVE section and Eastern Branch of Entomological Society of America

Tick Summit 14 in the books! Great job Gabby & Mia putting together your posters! Thanks to the organizers at the MD Department of Health and others for yet another awesome event and networking opportunity.

Come work with me! Public Health Entomologist (assistant/associate level) ento.psu.edu/news/open-po...

Open Position: Assistant/Associate Professor of Public Health Entomology

ento.psu.edu

Come work with me! Public Health Entomologist (assistant/associate level) ento.psu.edu/news/open-po...

Open Position: Assistant/Associate Professor of Public Health Entomology

ento.psu.edu

📢Workshop Announcement📢 The VectorED Network and PSU Extension are hosting a hands-on ectoparasite workshop at the ESA Eastern Branch Meeting in Harrisburg, PA on March 15th. www.entsoc.org/membership/b...

We strongly suggest that academic publishers and other platforms that host research rapidly implement a Share to Bluesky button for their articles. Here's how: docs.bsky.app/docs/advance... #AcademicSky #HigherEd #Altmetrics

Action Intent Links | Bluesky

Authors, websites, and apps can use action intent links to implement "Share on Bluesky" buttons, or similar in-app actions. Logged-in users will be directed to the corresponding action view in the Blu...

docs.bsky.app

I am continuously in awe of students in my lab and former lab members. Congrats to Karen Poh on the ECP Reseach Award and Paige Alexander and Valeria Lee on their student awards at #EntSoc24

hey everyone! i made a list of some useful starter packs (primarily biology/earth sciences with a few bonus things thrown in) to share with friends who have joined bsky in the last week and thought it may be useful for some people here too! 🌍🧪 #SciSky #BioSky docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Starter packs

BIOLOGY Ecology Macroecology https://go.bsky.app/GBn9pNZ Global ecology https://go.bsky.app/V6tN4cv Trait based ecology and evolution https://go.bsky.app/PThMXeX Invasion biology https://go.b...

docs.google.com

We did it! Just like many talks, as we went up, there was a hole (yep a hole in the balloon!). But we did it, "still fly ready" Not as scary as I thought Glad I did it And met more entomologists through our shared experiences #EntSoc24 @machtingerlab.bsky.social