Editor’s note: Every year, hundreds of undergraduates at the University of Delaware pursue research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, especially during the summer months. Such experiences provided by UD — a nationally recognized research university — can be life-changing, introducing young scholars to a new field, perhaps even the path to a future career, as they uncover new knowledge. These spotlights offer a glimpse into their world. 

Mosquitos have few friends, it seems, but they are eager to meet just about any creature with blood in its veins. They need that blood to make future generations.

When they pierce the skin of their targets, including humans, their saliva can produce an itchy irritation. That same saliva can also deliver bacterial and viral infections, such as West Nile and Zika virus, and/or parasites, such as malaria and heartworms (which are life-threatening to dogs).

With so much at stake, bombing the yard with pesticides seems like a tempting, quick solution. But the collateral damage of such a mosquito war can be extensive on many levels.

Indiscriminate application of such chemicals can produce deadly consequences for the insects we depend on to grow food and maintain a healthy ecosystem. Those insects also represent a critical food source for birds and other creatures.

UD senior Em Beauchamp of Milford, Delaware, spent the summer looking at this dilemma, under the expert supervision of renowned UD ecologist Douglas Tallamy, T.A. Baker Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Beauchamp is pursuing a degree in women and gender studies with a minor in insect and wildlife conservation.

She studied a population of Io moth caterpillars to see how they fared if pesticide residues were present on their food sources.

Q: Why did you want to pursue this? What intrigues you about the topic?

Beauchamp: I am very passionate about moths in general. I study them in my own time and am planning on working with them as a career after college. I also plan on getting a master’s degree in entomology. I have autism — moths are my special interest (definition given by the NIH: "special interests are frequently developed by individuals with autism spectrum disorder, expressed as an intense focus on specific topics."). I wanted to do my senior thesis on a moth-related topic, but I wasn't sure exactly what. I wanted to research something really important. I reached out to Dr. Tallamy with a list of ideas, and we agreed to do the mosquito spray research this summer.

Q: Why does research like this matter?

Beauchamp: Research like this matters because insect rates are declining. Caterpillars are an essential source of food for animals like birds. The entire food chain and ecosystem would be severely disrupted without caterpillars, and subsequently, moths. Mosquito spraying on properties like homes and businesses is a very common occurrence in America, and it is one of the main reasons for insect population decline. “Habitat loss and degradation, pesticides and climate change have all been implicated in insect declines and act synergistically," Michael J. W. Boyle wrote in Causes and consequences of insect decline in tropical forests. Mosquito spraying is not effective at killing its target (mosquitoes), but it has a deadly effect on the life around it, whether it’s insects, plants or even humans. This research needs to be conducted to provide data for national and international use to address mosquito spraying.

Q: What does your daily research entail?

Beauchamp: My daily research included gathering leaves to feed the caterpillars and cleaning their frass. Some days we sprayed foliage to feed our treatment groups. I took pictures and videos along the way. As the summer continued, it got more intense. Most of the work was done in my dorm or our lab.

Q: What’s the coolest thing about being involved in this project? Have you had any surprising or especially memorable experiences?

Beauchamp: I think the coolest thing about being involved in this project is getting to be a part of something this huge. I really want to change the way that our society uses so much mosquito spray. As previously mentioned, I love to study moths, so it is all very cool to me! Seeing how the caterpillars die with the spray is sad, yet really interesting to observe. Having the opportunity to work with Dr. Tallamy has been so memorable and such an honor.

Q: Is there anything you've discovered about yourself and your career goals as you've worked on the project?

Beauchamp: I have discovered how much I enjoy taking part in Lepidoptera research and that I would love to work towards that goal for my post grad career.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Beauchamp: I enjoy spending time with my cat, exercising, reading, gaming, watching TV, going outside and hanging out with loved ones.