Howard Russell 
Entomologist | Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI, UNITED STATES
Expert in entomology, specializing in diagnostic services
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Insect Identification
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17-year cicada spectacle expected this summer in parts of lower Michigan
WWMT online
2021-02-10
Howard Russell, an entomologist with Michigan State University, explained the difference between the cicadas that burrow up from the ground once every 17 years, and the so-called dog-day cicadas we see annually. "A brood is just a designation of when different groups of these things emerge," Russell said. "Brood 10 of course emerged the last time in 2004, so now they're scheduled to emerge again in 2021.” Yes, dragons: Alabama zoo announces birth of rare baby dragons According the U.S. Forestry Service, there are 12 known periodical cicada broods observed throughout the United States on a 17-year repeating cycle. This year's expected brood is one of the largest by geographical area.
Here’s How Crane Flies Differ From Mosquitoes—and How to Get Rid of Them
Prevention online
2020-10-23
When you see a large, skinny winged insects buzzing around your property, it’s easy to assume your home has been invaded by oversized mosquitoes. But if you look a bit closer, you might actually be dealing with a crane fly. These bugs, which are also known as mosquito killers and mosquito hawks, look a lot like the annoying bloodsucker. Crane flies are in the largest family of flies, called tiplulidae, with more than 1,600 species in North America, adds Howard Russell, M.S., an entomologist at Michigan State University. “Most species are found in damp habitats,” he says. “Many are aquatic or semi aquatic in the larval stages.”
How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants, According to Experts
Prevention Online online
2020-09-03
Carpenter ants, aka Camponotus spp., are on the larger size, as far as ants go. They usually range in size from 3.4 to 13 millimeters long, according to Howard Russell, M.S., an entomologist at Michigan State University. Carpenter ants are often black, but some types have a reddish or yellowish shades to them. In carpenter ants, the thorax is evenly rounded – there's no indentation, unlike with other ants, Russell says. Worker carpenter ants also have large mandibles, or mouth parts.
How to get rid of flying ants in your home, according to pest experts
Yahoo! News online
2020-08-16
From fruit flies to house flies to fungus gnats, spotting any kind of bug that can buzz about your home is a total pain. But many people don’t realize that one of the most annoying pests to eradicate—ants—can also fly until they see them hovering around indoors. Flying ants, known as alates, are sexually mature ants, according to Howard Russell, an entomologist at Michigan State University. They’re known as the “reproductives” of the colony, which were created by the queen and fed by worker ants.
