<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Pests to Pals 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[Pests to Pals]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:18:55 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[How do UMaine students perceive insects?]]></title><description><![CDATA[I went around the Memorial Union at the University of Maine and asked 40 undergraduate students the first 3 words that come to mind when they hear the word, "insects." Many of the words were repeated by multiple respondents, including:     15	    bug	     5   	    legs	     5	    ant	     4	    small	     3	    ladybug	     3	    wings	     2	    dirty	     2        spider	     2	    cute	     2	    beetle	     2	    butterfly	     2	    sting	     2	    outside	     2	    disgusting	     2	  ...]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/how-umaine-students-perceive-insects</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fb33556d919e5ce872b430</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 16:46:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_ff28f18b50c24455a6736ca54e2f650c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_705,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From “Pests” to Pets: Rethinking Insects]]></title><description><![CDATA[When you hear the word pet, what first comes to mind? You might think of a dog, cat, or even a fish. Insects are more often associated with the word "pest" rather than "pet," but University of Maine (UMaine) students Kat Neri and Adrian Elliot would argue otherwise. When Kat Neri tells people she owns insects as pets, usually the immediate response is, "Why?" To that, she replies, "But why does anyone have pets? It's just to have a little critter in your home."  Kat adopted her insect pets...]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/pet-insects</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f88a1d7c961ad0b9faa5c2</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 11:59:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_e237bf944fa14bd09d1a9a90f669bcf3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_705,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Closer Look at Caterpillars: Inside the Entomology Club Movie Screening]]></title><description><![CDATA[On Wednesday, April 22nd, the University of Maine Patch Entomology Club hosted a special screening of "The Extraordinary Caterpillar" in Nutting Hall. The screening took place in Nutting Hall, UMaine's forestry building. (Photo by Camryn Sudimick) Entomology club member, Aliyah Leary, teaching children attending the event about the diversity of insects associated with native plants. The poster is titled "Canada Goldenrod and some of its faunal associations." (Photo by Camryn Sudimick) The...]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/umaine-caterpillar-movie-night</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f817db981e3dffa6406bb6</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 11:56:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_9ce8d74466b243da9f87689dd43d9a66~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Free Earth Day Event Brings Caterpillars to Campus on the Big Screen]]></title><description><![CDATA[As Earth Day approaches, conversations tends to focus on larger, more charismatic species, birds, mammals, possibly more iconic pollinators like bees. But  what about the organisms that support entire ecosystems from the ground up? This week, the Patch Entomology Club at the University of Maine is inviting members of the community to take a closer look at one of the most ecologically important groups...caterpillars! A peek into the dazzling world of nature’s tiniest and mightiest superheroes....]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/umaine-earth-day-event-caterpillar-documentary-screening</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e82a6ee4ba6bf5a9ae3805</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:01:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_20d34e36f6c74419aaa852bc4bc740fe~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_705,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Exploring the Cultural Roots of Native Plants ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sweetgrass is native to northern North America and Eurasia. It is considered sacred by many indigenous communities. (Photo by Matt Lavin, via Flickr: August 17, 2017; Montana, USA). Similar to insects, native plants are often overlooked, despite their importance. While their importance is often discussed in terms of supporting ecosystems and biodiversity, native plants also hold deep cultural significance for many communities. Today I spoke with Katie Fletcher,  a member of Mi'kmaq nation and...]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/exploring-the-cultural-roots-of-native-plants</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d9203fb1404b5ae2d5f217</guid><pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 03:55:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_77ead50a12b0433084650dd6a54b33a7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_705,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[April is Native Plant Month!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Did you know that April is also National Native Plant Month? Check out this link to the official website for ways to support native plants this month (and all throughout the year)! The 2026 logo features a Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa). (Photo courtesy of nationalnativeplantmonth.org)]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/native-plant-month-april-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d9aa2a515c02011a0d2ff1</guid><pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 03:48:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_a2ab26562f75443f9d10582b86ceeb7d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_705,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Insect Outreach at the Eastern Maine Sportsmen's Show]]></title><description><![CDATA[On Sunday, March 22nd, the University of Maine's (UMaine) Patch Entomology Club set up an outreach table at PCCA's Eastern Maine Sportsmen's Show. While the booth was set up in the Youth Area, guests of all ages stopped by the table. The tables had books, fields guides, pinned specimens,  other preserved specimens, and live insects. They also had a poster showing the "Garden Guardians of Maine" and corresponding stickers. (Photo by Camryn Sudimick) The tables had outreach specimens, outreach...]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/insect-outreach-at-eastern-maine-sportsmens-show</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d9a796515c02011a0d2a20</guid><pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:54:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_9dd964b970744a999ba938ff56ccf479~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_705,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[UMaine Students Get Up Close with Outreach Insects ]]></title><description><![CDATA[On Wednesday, February 25th, the Patch Entomology Club at the University of Maine (UMaine) welcomed guest speaker Chloe Hart, a Class of 2025 graduate who now works in the Gardner Lab. Hart's role at the lab involves entomology outreach, and she frequently brings live insects to events to show both living and pinned insect specimens, to help people better appreciate these remarkable, yet often misunderstood animals. Along with live insects, Hart brings other educational materials, such as...]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/outreach-insect-demo-umaine</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d9a26a515c02011a0d1e1a</guid><pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:38:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_21738a5d8340424ba6595c1e4f077f54~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_705,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[It Depends Where You See Them: A UMaine Student's Perception of Insects]]></title><description><![CDATA[Today I had the chance to interview Avery Preston-Schreck, an undergraduate student at the University of Maine, and ask her about her perception of insects.]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/umaine-undergrad-perception-on-insects-interview</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d089da2a4608ae0020b50d</guid><pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 03:53:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_edbd0ee5694c47309a23aead31e68e11~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_940,h_705,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[UMaine Entomology Club Hosts Hands-on Insect Pinning Workshop]]></title><description><![CDATA[On February 11th, 2026, students gathered in Deering Hall at the University of Maine (UMaine) for a hands-on insect pinning workshop hosted by the Patch Entomology Club. In collaboration with Undergraduate Women in STEMM, this event drew UMaine students with varying levels of experience with entomology.  For some, it was their first time seeing insect specimens up close, let alone pinning one themselves. The workshop began with a brief presentation  by the Entomology Club President Richard...]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/umaine-insect-pinning-workshop</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c72f1b5ed83abd8bc002b0</guid><pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 2026 01:32:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_bd3218efae814494a832a2a168afd6bc~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Insects in the Museum]]></title><description><![CDATA[OPINION Last month I visited New York City, and with a couple of hours of free time, we decided–what better way to spend it than at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)? I knew the museum was well-renowned, but I hadn’t fully realized what wonders were in store. Camryn Sudimick standing beside a monarch butterfly photograph, a part of the Insects in Peril   exhibition at the AMNH. (Photo by Camryn Sudimick) It was no surprise to me that the halls of dinosaur fossils and habitat...]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/insects-in-the-museum</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a25fd53a2716aeb218ac31</guid><pubDate>Sat, 28 Feb 2026 03:31:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_6b987ec67b22402591a30fc5b1bf483a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Which Insects Trigger the Strongest Negative Reactions?]]></title><description><![CDATA[A 2024 survey sampled 1,148 U.S. adult citizens, and asked, "When you encounter the following [insect group] outdoors, is your reaction typically...?" The response options included:        ☐ Very positive        ☐ Somewhat positive        ☐ Neutral        ☐ Somewhat negative        ☐ Very negative        ☐ Not sure The following figure pools all reactions for "Somewhat negative" and "Very negative" for various insect groups. Percentage of Survey Respondents who Negatively React to Insects:...]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/which-insects-trigger-the-fear-the-most</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69993c91fc53c40638633cd5</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 05:05:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_acbb457b6ae64a899eaf0901fe1e1b3e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_738,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why do we fear insects?]]></title><description><![CDATA[While entomophobia and arachnophobia refer to clinical phobias of insects and spiders, negative reactions toward these animals are far more common. In a 2024 survey, approximately 26% of Americans reported that they were either afraid or very afraid of insects and arachnids. For many people, insects can lead to reactions ranging from discomfort and avoidance to disgust or fear. So, why do insects cause such strong reactions in the first place? Researchers suggest that human's negative...]]></description><link>https://camrynsudimick9.wixsite.com/pests-to-pals/post/why-do-we-fear-insects</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69992fd15d55e4f9194611d0</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 04:51:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b02915_5c57e6fb8fb147e2ab2f503d7e7306a4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Camryn Sudimick</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>