Maria Murrietta Maria Murrietta

It’s Too Early for White Lined Sphinx Moths

It’s too early to talk about white lined sphinx moths. It’s only February! This species is normally a springtime migrator.  This is just one example of how insects are responding to changing weather patterns.

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Maria Murrietta Maria Murrietta

We Gotta Talk About Pupation

Does an insect body completely liquefy into a soupy goop before magically becoming an adult? I’ve seen several articles and social media posts that suggest this very thing. So of course, I was compelled to weigh in and offer some facts. 

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Maria Murrietta Maria Murrietta

Justifying Biological Control…Again

Educating people about biological control is necessary, rewarding and challenging. It’s a skill that requires time and patience, trial and error. My trials and errors began 30 years ago at UC Riverside. Today, reading headlines with incendiary word choices, it’s clear that science communication is as important as ever.

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Maria Murrietta Maria Murrietta

¡Argentine Ants!

We’re taking a deep dive into the world of Argentine ants. We'll break down how to keep ants out of your house and off your plants by understanding their mission to find food. This isn't just about short-term fixes; we're talking about effective, long-term management strategies.

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Maria Murrietta Maria Murrietta

Pollinators

The benefits and challenges of native and non-native pollinators.

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Maria Murrietta Maria Murrietta

Onward & Upward

July 2025 - A teacher at heart, blending art and science, moving onward and upward.  

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