PI: Michael Crossley

2011 BS Entomology, University of Wisconsin
2014 MS Entomology, University of Wisconsin
2019 PhD Entomology & GIS, University of Wisconsin
2019-2021 Postdoc, University of Georgia
2021-present Assistant Professor / Agricultural Entomologist, University of Delaware

Current graduate students

Bukola Molake

Entomology MS student and Unidel Outstanding Summer Scholar awardee. I am researching the effects of corn variety on corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) overwintering success. I am interested in how insect behavior and physiology affect surrounding ecological factors and vice versa.

2024 – Biology BA with a Minor in Environmental Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. I investigated the relationship between black rats (Rattus rattus) and the potentially vulnerable Puerto Rican Oriole. I am a McNair and LSAMP Alum.

2021 – Forensics AS from Prince George’s Community College.

Thabu Mugala

Entomology PhD student from Malole, Zambia, focusing on ecology and management of slugs in corn and soybean production systems. Interests include sustainable agriculture, entomopathogenic nematodes, pathogen-insect-interaction, chemical ecology and insect evolution.

2018 – BS in Agronomy from EARTH University, Costa Rica, focusing on fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) susceptibility to fungi and bacteria

2021 – MS in Entomology from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, focusing on ecology and biocontrol of pea leaf miner (Liriomyza huidobrensis)

Kudzai Mafuwe

Entomology PhD student and Fulbright scholar from Harare, Zimbabwe, researching automated and digital methods for detecting and monitoring specialty and field crop pests. Interests include precision agriculture, pest management, non-invasive crop monitoring methods, biodiversity conservation, biodiversity informatics and big data

2010 – BS in Forest Resources and Wildlife Management from The National University of Science and Technology (NUST), focusing on biodiversity conservation

2021 – MS in Tropical Entomology from The University of Zimbabwe, focusing on distribution modelling of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), and an assessment of host susceptibility and relative efficacies of systemic insecticides for gum seedling protection in Zimbabwe

Destiny Mann

Entomology PhD student from Havre de Grace, Maryland, researching waste upcycling with lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) and black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens).

2022 – BS in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Delaware, working to understand the ideal lab conditions for the lesser mealworm.

2020 – AS in Biology from Harford Community College, working to understand local lady beetle and pollinator diversity.

Graduate student alumni

Ben Sammarco (graduated 2023)

Master’s of Entomology Student (started Spring 2022) from Colts Neck, New Jersey. Researching the movement of the lesser mealworm beetle (Alphitobius diaperinus) in poultry farms.