Natural resources and biodiversity

Supporting natural resources and biodiversity. MSU entomologists examine interactions in nature from microbes that mediate insect fitness and community dynamics to how landscape design affects insect populations. Questions such as how human and natural disturbances impact ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity are central to our research, teaching and outreach programs. View a gallery of images.

Faculty working with natural resources and biodiversity

Leah Bauer

Adjunct Associate Professor
Ecology and management of invasive species and forest ecosystems
lsbauer@msu.edu
517-884-8059
M. Eric Benbow

Professor
Insect-microbe interactions in aquatic, disease and forensic ecological systems
benbow@msu.edu
517-410-9247
Henry Chung

Assistant Professor
Insect physiology, molecular biology and chemical ecology
hwchung@msu.edu
517-353-1430
Anthony Cognato

Professor, Collection Director, and Graduate Advisor
Insect systematics, biodiversity and evolution
cognato@msu.edu
517-432-2369
Ke Dong

Professor Emeritus
Mechanisms of action of neuroactive insecticides and insecticide resistance
dongk@msu.edu
517-899-6171
Robert Haack

Adjunct Professor, Forestry
Biology and management of bark- and wood-infesting insects
haack@msu.edu
Rufus Isaacs

University Distinguished Professor and Blueberry Entomology Extension Specialist
Berry pest management and crop pollination
isaacsr@msu.edu
517-355-6619
Lynnae Jess

Academic Specialist & Director of the North Central Integrated Pest Management Center
Integrated pest management
jess@msu.edu
517-432-1702
Douglas Landis

University Distinguished Professor
Insect ecology and biological control
landisd@msu.edu
517-353-1829
Deborah McCullough

Professor, Forest Entomology
Forest insect ecology and management
mccullo6@msu.edu
517-355-7445
Meghan Milbrath

Assistant Professor
Health of honey bees and other pollinators
milbrat2@msu.edu
517-884-9518
David Mota-Sanchez

Associate Professor
Resistance of arthropods to xenobiotics, insect toxicology and integrated pest management
motasanc@msu.edu
517-353-3435
Gary Parsons

Emeritus Curator
Collection management, insect/arthropod identification and outreach
parsonsg@msu.edu
517-353-1630
Jennifer Pechal

Assistant Professor
Host-microbiome interactions and decomposition ecology
pechalje@msu.edu
517-355-6514
Barry Pittendrigh

Lab Director, Adjunct Professor
Evolution and functional genomics of insecticide resistance
pittendr@msu.edu
517-432-6109
Therese Poland

Adjunct Associate Professor
Detection and management of invasive forest insects
polandt@msu.edu
517-884-8062
Marisol Quintanilla

Assistant Professor
Applied nematology
marisol@msu.edu
517-884-2058
F. William Ravlin

Professor
ravlin@msu.edu
517-355-4663
Sarah Smith

Curator and Collection Manager, insect systematics and taxonomy
smith462@msu.edu
517-353-1630
Jim Smith

Professor Emeritus
Insect molecular systematics and evolution; species diagnostics
jimsmith@msu.edu
517-706-9454
David Smitley

Professor Emeritus
Pest Management in Turfgrass and Nursery Plants
smitley@msu.edu
517-355-3385
Richard Snider

Professor Emeritus and Curator
Apterygota and spiders
snider@msu.edu
Marianna Szucs

Assistant Professor
Biological control of invasive plants and insects
szucsmar@msu.edu
517-353-7063
Edward Walker

University Distinguished Professor
Vector-borne diseases
walker@msu.edu
517-884-5389
Peter White

Associate Professor
Urban moth ecologist
pwhite@msu.edu
517-432-0900
John Wise

Professor & IR-4 NC Region Director
Performance characteristics of fruit pest insecticides and alternative pesticide delivery systems
wisejohn@msu.edu
517-432-2668
Amos Ziegler

Academic Specialist
ziegler2@msu.edu
517-355-0204