The Pitts & Sadler Lab is located at Utah State University, where researchers, undergraduate, and graduate students investigate the taxonomy, systematics, and evolution of aculeate (stinging) wasps. This lab specializes in Pompilidae, Mutillidae, Chyphotidae, and Ichnuemonidae wasps. Our research includes understanding the evolution of prey-capture, defense behavior, and mimicry through morphological and phylogenomic analyses.
You can read about our insect collection in the Utah State Magazine. Our lab believes that science is for everyone, and we encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about taxonomy to contact us:
Insect Collection
5305 Old Main Hill
Department of Biology
Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322
ORPHAN EMAIL COULD GO HERE
Our Team
Researchers & Curators
Graduate Students
Current Graduate Students
- Cecilia Viera, PhD Candidate, Mutillidae
- Sibylle Motet, PhD Student, Scoliidae
- Jeremy Jensen, PhD Student
Previous Graduate Students
- George Waldren, Biology
- Michael Orr, Biology, August 2011 - December 2017
- Jon Koch, Biology, August 2011 - December 2015
- Cecilia Waichert, Biology, August 2008 - May 2014
- Juanita Rodriguez, Biology, August 2008 - May 2014
- Sarah Clark, Biology, August 2010 - May 2013
- Nicole Boehme, Biology, August 2008 - May 2013
- Kevin Williams, Biology, August 2005 - May 2012
- Catherine Clark, Biology, August 2008 - December 2011
- Jon Koch, Biology, August 2008 - April 2011
- Joseph Wilson, Biology, August 2005 - December 2010
Undergraduate Students
Current Undergraduate Students
- Nathan Barber
- Tucker Huppe
- Erica Espinoza
- James Richardson
Previous Undergraduate Students
- James Hansen, Pleistocene Biogeography project
- Cameron Cooke, Hemipepsis project
- Liesel Cannon, Museum technician
- Makail Lunt, Museum technician
- Ryan Pollard, Chyphotes project
- Matt Earl, Museum technician
- Becca Condie, Museum technician
- Lauren Peless, Evagetes project
- Alex Kelly, Mutillidae project & Museum technician
- Kelton Mock, Brachycistis project
- Andrew Ermer, Museum technician
Collaborators
- Dr. Akira Shimizu
- Dr. Frank Kurczewiski
- Dr. Rick West
- Dr. Joseph Wilson, Professor
- Dr. Juanita Rodriguez, Hymenoptera Research Scientist
- Dr. Cecilia Waichert, Professor
- Dr. Kevin Williams, Associate Insect Biosystematist
Our Research
Publications & Presentations
Publications
Presentations
Museums & Collections
Entomological Museum at Utah State (EMUS)
The Entomological Museum at Utah State University has been used for research since the 1960s. Overtime the collection has grown to include more than 2 million insects and thousands of microscope slides.
The majority of the collection comes from the Intermountain West, Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, Madagascar, and Africa. Researchers in the collection focus on Pompilidae, Mutillidae, Chyphotidae, Ichnuemonidae, Stratiomyidae, and Aphididae.
- Digital Display: An interactive digital display about Pompilidae (spider wasps) created by Brenna Decker
- Traveling Exhibition (Digital Version): Wasps of Utah created by Brenna Decker
Ichneumonid Special Collection (formerly American Entomological Institute - AEI)
This collection moved to USU in 2016.
In the News
- Florida-based American Entomological Institute to Move Collection to USU - by Kevin Opsahi, June 24, 2014
- Westward Ho! American Entomological Institute to Move to Utah State - by Mary-Ann Muffoletto, June 19, 2014
- Utah State University Welcomes 1.2 Million Bugs - by Danielle Manley, June 19, 2014
USU Insect Tours
If your school or private group would like to participate in the Entomology Club's Insect Tours...