My practicum was done in the Hamby lab at the University of Maryland which is located in the Plant Science building. I helped out in many of the studies going on in the lab but I primary worked with Addie who is a graduate student on her Aphid study. We worked on the effects different pesticides and fungicides have on the reproduction and longevity of the aphid's parasitoid wasp. It is important to know the effects pesticides and fungicides have on the surrounding environment, especially since much of the agriculture heavily relies on them. Very little is known on the effects these treatments have on the non-target species of the parasitoids, so it is important to study. I found this site through the Scholars newsletter since they often give internship and work opportunities. I have found those newsletters very helpful. Other places that I have seen opportunities are the newsletters from my college, this case being the Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS). I also looked at billboards in the plant science building where they announce various opportunities as well. I contacted Addie through email that they provided with my resume and references and then I was interviewed for the position.
There were many tasks I did in this site. At the beginning of the study, we had to make the samples by first adding the respective pesticide and then add the same amount of aphids to each trial. We had six different groups with five replicates each: control, imidacloprid, positive control imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, positive control thiamethoxam, and fungicide. Then a female and male wasp was added to the samples for two days and were then taken out. The samples were left to incubate a few days until the mummies started showing up. We had to check each plant everyday for mummies until there were no more. When these days rolled around, it took all day to look through them since some plants had up to 40 mummies. After there were no more, we needed to incubate the mummies and record their hatching date. When they hatched, they were measured and fed. Again, this took quite a while since there were quite a lot of them. We used a microscope to measure and sex them since they are small. After this, we waited to record their death date. I also helped in other projects such as the dectes project. I went up to the Beltsville farm to find dectes in soybean plants. I also helped taking care of the aphid and parasitoid colonies along with the wheat plants.
I learned about the research process and deepened my understanding in the scientific method. I also learned a lot about agriculture and environmental issues. We had various trials to increase reliability and consistency in the study. We also kept everything the same except the treatment they were receiving. I learned about the effects of the pesticides and how they are systemic pesticides through the various papers the lab suggested I read to further my knowledge in this field. I also learned of the importance treatments can have on non-target species. I gained an appreciation of entomology and the society because entomology can greatly impact the efficiency of agriculture. Agriculture is vital to feed people around the world and there are many issues and problems concerning the methods of agriculture that negatively impact the environment. To make agriculture less harmful to the environment, we must study pesticides and fungicides that deal with pests such as aphids. Understanding everything we can to better conserve our planet the better society will become and longer it will last.
Having this opportunity to work in this lab, I have learned that I really enjoy research and setting up projects. I learned that I like helping in projects and getting involved with many of the people researching there. I will continue to work in this lab and will continue to look for other internship opportunities in the summer. I want to branch out from entomology and help in medicine. I liked working in the entomology field and will consider it in the future. This and my previous internship experiences have confirmed by decision in pursuing reach just what I am going to research, I need to find out. This experience has also made me confident that I want to continue school until I at least get my master's degree.
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