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This summer I had the opportunity to work as a research intern at an entomology lab at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. I worked in the field and in the lab on projects relating to several different native as well as invasive species of insects. I worked on a project surrounding monarch butterflies, where we were trying to figure out how to increase the number of monarch eggs laid on milkweed in CT. I also worked on a project where we used radio telemetry to track bumble bees, attempting to learn more about the lives of native bumble bees to figure out the best ways we can try to help them. I also conducted several corn surveys at local farms, looking for the invasive European Corn Borer. I learned how to rear several different insect species in the lab to be used for experiments, and was able to watch as they went through their entire life cycle. The summer culminated in a science fair where I was able to talk with the public about many of the projects that I had been working on all summer.
Throughout my time at CAES, I gained many skills in research and field work, as well as a greater confidence in leading projects and communicating with my peers and with the public. I now have a greater understanding about how professional scientific studies are conducted, and have even more of an interest in conservation.