The Bug Guy

The Bug Guy is Dr. Michael Raupp, Professor Emeritus at University of Maryland at College Park. Mike taught more than a dozen undergraduate and graduate courses during his thirty-eight-year tenure as a regular faculty member. His ongoing research and outreach programs focus on invasive species, urbanization, and scientific outreach. He is an internationally recognized leader in developing sustainable programs to manage pests in urban forests. A regular guest on television and radio, Mike has appeared on all major television networks in this country and several abroad and has been featured on National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Weather Channel, NPR, and PBS. For several years he consulted for the network television series Bones and recently the NBC nature series The Americas. His website and YouTube Channel demystify insect behavior and natural history to thousands of viewers weekly in more than 200 countries worldwide. Mike is a Fellow of the Entomological Society of America and has received a dozen regional, national, and international awards including the Secretary of Agriculture's Award for Superior Service, the Entomological Society’s Achievement Award in Extension, the Maryland Board of Regents’ Award for Excellence in Public Service and the Richard Harris Authors Citation from the International Society of Arboriculture. His most recent book “26 Things that Bug Me” introduces youngsters and adults to the wonders of insects and natural history. His credo: “More species of insects inhabit planet earth than any other kind of animal or plant. Sharing their wonders with children or all ages is my passion.”

Media Appearances by the Bug Guy (sorry if links are broken)

To squish or not to squish?’: an insect expert’s guide to spotted lanternflies   WAMU 88.5 LIVE Morning Edition, October 17, 2025

Spotted lanternflies are wreaking havoc on Maryland vineyards and ecosystem     CBS NEWS Baltimore WJZ, September 23, 2025

What is being done to prevent rise of the spotted lanternfly in Maryland?     CBS NEWS Baltimore WJZ, September 23

Partly cloudy with a chance of lanternflies as radar picks up the insects   WUSA9,  September 15, 2025

Mob of invasive spotted lanternflies appear on DC area’s weather radar    WTOP, September 12, 2025

Garden Smart: Meet the new invasive species threatening your boxwoods    WUSA9, August 22, 2025

Spotted lanternflies are all over. What should you do if you see one?    NPR Morning Edition, August 5, 2025

Cicada-killing wasps reemerge in the Northeast     AccuWeather, July 22, 2025

Garden Smart: Why you may be noticing more spotted lanternflies around the DC region  WUSA9, July 18, 2025

Nature’s light show: Why this summer’s fireflies are lighting up the DC region   WTOP  News,  July 15, 2025

Tick bites lead to record hospital visits    FOX 5 DC, July 9, 2025

Spotted lanternflies are back in the D.C. area — here’s how to spot and stop them   FOX 5 DC, July 8, 2025

Increased numbers of spotted lanternflies  FOX 5 DC, July 8, 2025

‘The Bug Guy' explains how to protect yourself from mosquito bites   ABC 7 NEWS WJLA, June 27, 2025

Maryland will see a wave of cicadas in 2025. Here's when the bugs could re-emerge   CBS Baltimore WJZ, April 18, 2025

Insect invasion: What to expect in your backyard this spring    AccuWeather, March 24, 2025

Warm Temperatures will have spring pests on the move    The Weather Channel INTV, March 9, 2025

Cicadas, Part 2   The Weather Channel Weekend Recharge, March 23, 2025

Cicadas Part 1   The Weather Channel, March 23, 2025

The spotted lanternfly is back with a vengeance. Here's why  WBALTV 11 News, July 8, 2024

Spotted lanternfly eggs found attached to an art installation headed for California’s wine country  NPR 91.7 WVXU NEWS  June 21, 2024

Talking summer bugs with 'The Bug Guy'             WBALTV 11, June 15, 2024

The invasive spotted lanternfly, and its gross honeydew, is here to stay   The Baltimore Banner, May 19, 2024

The cicadas are coming    WAMU NPR - 1A: Scientific Method with Jen White, May 1, 2024

Two massive cicada broods emerging this spring in rare event      NewsNation Now, April 24, 2024

Mike “The Bug Guy” Raupp Talks Cicadas and on YouTube BAL 98 Rock, April 16, 2024

What You need to know about cicadas in 2024    WJZ CBS Baltimore, April 16, 2024 

2 cicada broods will emerge around the same time in the U.S.  NPR All Things Considered, April 14, 2024 

Up to a trillion cicadas expected to emerge in the U.S.   Scripps News: The Debrief with Lauren Magarino, April 11, 2024

 Map shows where billions of cicadas will soon emerge in the U.S.   Scripps News with Taylor O’Bier, April 9, 2024 

Double Cicada Mania Approaches—But Seeing Them Calls for a Road Trip   Maryland Today, April 8, 2024 

Invaders from underground are coming in cicada-geddon. It’s the biggest bug emergence in centuries  Associated Press, April 1, 2024

Real-life Vampires, Zombies and Creepy Crawlies   UMD College of Agriculture & Natural Resources News, October 25, 2023

Have you noticed more bugs around your home? An expert says climate change may be the cause  WTOP News, September 26, 2023

If you see a hammerhead worm, remember: salt, don't slice!  NPR Weekend Edition Saturday, July 29, 2023

Invasive hammerhead worms seen across DC region secrete same toxin found in puffer fish   FOX 5 DC Digital Team, July 25, 2023

Toxin-secreting hammerhead worms are invading the D.C. area. How to stop them.  The Washington Post Capital Weather Gang with Kevin Ambrose and Kasha Patel,  July 22, 2023

Your bug forecast for summer vacation The Washington Post, June 7, 2023

Mosquito Season 2023: Ways to protect yourself   Fox5 News HEALTHWATCH, May 23, 2023

The Return of Spotted Lanternflies    NBC News Today, April 25, 2023

Tips on dealing with the Spotted Lanternfly from “The Bug Guy”    WBAL-TV 11 News Today, April 24, 2023

Insects may show up earlier than usual due to warm weather, local bug expert says   WTOP News with Stetson Miller, February 18, 2023

BIODIVERSITY: a World Full of Ants      Pattrn TV: Our Planet, Our Future, October 13, 2022

Cooler weather is nice, but it’s not enough to end biting mosquitoes   The Washington Post, Perspective by John Kelly September 25, 2022

The Invasive Spotted Lanternfly NPR On The Record, WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore, August 25, 2022

The spotted lanternfly can ruin crops. It’s invading Loudoun County.      The Washington Post Capital Weather Gang, August 12, 2022

How to Attack Those Pesky Mosquitoes NBC News4 with Susan Hogan, June 2, 2022

The tick that makes people allergic to red meat is in D.C. The Washington Post - by Kevin Ambrose, May 1, 2022

Will giant poisonous spiders invade D.C.? We asked an entomologist    WAMU 88.5 with Jonathan Wilson, March 11, 2022

While the cicadas of 2038 slumber, scientists are reviewing what they learned from 2021’s Brood X   The Washington Post - by John Kelly, February 1, 2022

Longer mosquito season might become the norm with climate change  The Diamondback, Nov. 9, 2021

Edible Insects NOVA, October 20, 2021

We declare mosquito season is finally over in the Washington region   Washington Post Capital Weather Gang, Oct. 19, 2021

The invasive spotted lantern fly is spreading across the Mid-Atlantic Washington Post Capital Weather Gang, Sept. 13, 2021

The 2021 Brood X Cicada Emergence: A Recap Entomology Today, August 9, 2021

They’re hatching! Next Generation of cicadas begins 17-year life cycle The Washington Post Capital Weather Gang, July 30, 2021

A Cicada Postmortem: What We’re Learning From Brood X Maryland Today, July 01, 2021

Cicadas Overtake Mid-Bay Beaches        Chesapeake Bay Magazine, June 15, 2021

Cicada season: What to expect from the coming brood that’s been underground for 17 years PBS NewsHour with John Yang, April 27, 2021

Anticipation mounting as Brood X cicadas about to emerge WBALTV11, April 14, 2021

Brood X Rising    Maryland Today, April 9, 2021

The Cicadas are Coming!      Homestead Gardens ‘Grow!’ with Katie Dubow, April 5, 2021

Billions of cicadas set to reemerge after 17 years of hibernation   NBC News Today, March 31, 2021

Did You Hear The Buzz? Cicadas Are Coming Back      WAMU 88.5: The Kojo Nnamdi Show , March 16, 2021

Periodical Cicadas Will Overrun D.C. This Spring After 17 Years Underground     WAMU 88.5 with Jacob Fenston, March 9, 2021

'Cicada-palooza' is coming. Maryland will be at the epicenter  WJLA ABC7 News, February 20, 2021

Brood X: Why 'trillions' of cicadas set to emerge after 17 years have an ominous sounding name   USA TODAY, Jan. 26, 2021

Trillions of Brood X Cicadas to Emerge in U.S. After 17 Years Underground Newsweek, Jan. 19, 2021

Crane flies look like ‘a mosquito on steroids,’ but there’s no reason to fear them   WTOP News with Mike Murillo, Oct. 29, 2020

Birds, Bugs And Climate Change   WAMU 88.5: The Kojo Nnamdi Show, Sept. 24, 2020

A disease with similar symptoms to COVID-19: Lyme disease   The Daily Dose, WYPR, Aug. 5, 2020

What's bugging you could be more than the heat! WJLA/ABC7 News, August 2, 2020

Kojo For Kids: The Bug Guy          WAMU 88.5: The Kojo Nnamdi Show, July 13, 2020

Tick-borne illness during COVID-19 pandemic   FOX5 News, July 7, 2020

Are murder hornets really in Maryland?  WBAL TV, May 30, 2020

TikToks About Strawberries With Bugs In Them Are Going Viral, But Experts Say It’s Rare  Bustle.com, May 29, 2020

Tick season returns to D.C. and it may be a bad one. Here's why.  WJLA ABC, May 26, 2020

‘There will be blood’: Mosquitoes make their annual return in DC region  WTOP News with Mike Murillo, May 25, 2020

Some Cicadas This Year, Way More Coming in 2021  Alexandria Living Magazine, May 24, 2020

Bug Talk: Murder Hornets found in the United States WAMU 88.5: The Kojo Nnamdi Show, May 20, 2020

Alarmed About the ‘Murder Hornet’? DC Area Has Little to Worry About, Experts Say NBC-4 Washington, May 13, 2020

Expert: ‘Murder Hornets’ Still a Distant Threat Maryland Today eMagazine, May 12, 2020

Murder hornets likely years away from reaching Maryland, expert says WBAL TV 11 News Today, May 8, 2020

Newly-Arrived Hornets Pose Threat to Honeybees NPR 1A: WAMU 88.5 Radio, May 6, 2020

Is the ‘murder hornet’ a threat to DC region? Not yet, UMD expert explains WTOP News, May 6, 2020

Now there's something called a Murder Hornet. Does the DMV need to worry? WJLA: ABC7 News, May 6, 2020

Murder Hornets In The U.S. Are Dangerous, But Entomologists Say Don’t Panic Bustle.com, May 05, 2020

Spring-like temperatures have bugs emerging early -- good and bad NBC News: WBAL TV 11, March 06, 2020

Camel crickets giving DMV residents the creeps WUSA9 with Scott Broom, Nov. 26, 2019

Blame it on the rain: Why DC area is experiencing a beetle invasion WTOP News, Host: Mike Murillo, July 15, 2019

Meet the Beetles:”The Bug Guy” Explains Population Surge in Creepy Critters, Along With Fireflies MarylandToday emagazine, by Chris Carroll, July 11, 2019

Washington Is An Epicenter Of Lyme Disease: How Some Locals Are Fighting Back WAMU 88.5, The Kojo Nnamdi Show, Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Summer Bugs Aren’t All Bad (But These Sure Are) WAMU 88.5: The Kojo Nnamdi Show, June 14, 2018

Tick talk: how to avoid the pests and the diseases they carry                                                                                                           ABC2 WMAR Baltimore, April 12 2018

Get Ready. The Invasive Species are Coming.                                                                                                                                         
WAMU 88.5: The Kojo Nnamdi Show, Mar 21, 2018

How to deal with stink bugs at home WTOP News, Host: Mike Murillo, Oct. 10, 2017

How An Invasive Bug is Killing Off Our Region’s Ash Trees                                                                                                            WAMU 88.5: The Kojo Nnamdi Show, July 13, 2017

“The Summer of Fear” – Mosquitoes, Zika & Other Summer Pests
MPT’s ‘Direct Connection’ with Jeff Salkin, June 27, 2016

Will Nixing Pesticides Preserve Maryland’s Bee Population?                                                                                                           WAMU 88.5: The Kojo Nnamdi Show, April 25, 2016

Bees, Pollinators and Threats to Their Habitats WAMU 88.5: The Kojo Nnamdi Show, October 15, 2015

Mosquitoes: Swatting the Myths                                                                                                                                                            MPT Direct Connection - Live with Jeff Salkin, August 3, 2015

How to Keep Ants and Other Pests out of your House                                                                                                                       NBC News - Today Show, July 13, 2015

NatureX3: Emerald Ash Borer                                                                                                                                                              WYPR: Midday with Dan Rodricks, April 24, 2015

Bug Man on Campus                                                                                                                                                                                     University of Maryland TERP Magazine, February 2015

Invasive Bugs                                                                                                                                                                                         WAMU 88.5: The Kojo Nnamdi Show, July 15, 2014

Cicada Mania: The Entomologists’ ‘Super Bowl’  PBS Newshour, June 19, 2013

Environmental Outlook: Stink Bugs                                                                                                                                                        The Diane Rehm Show, May 07, 2013

Spring Blooms, And So Do The Creepy Crawlies                                                                                                                                      NPR News: All Things Considered, April 06, 2013

A Primer On Mosquito Repellents                                                                                                                                                          NPR News: All Things Considered, July 10, 2010

Fourth of July Tips for Keeping Bugs Away                                                                                                                                            ABC News: Good Morning America, July 2, 2010

Summer Pests: Bites and Stings, Pt. 3                                                                                                                                        The Dr. Oz Show, May 26, 2010

Bed Bugs on the Rise Discovery News, Host: Jorge Ribas, May 18, 2010

Magicicada: Scientists Study Swarming Cicadas PBS NewsHour, Host: Jeffrey Brown, May 26, 2004

Instructional Videos/UMD Extension Home & Garden Information Center

Keep Bugs Off My Vegetables! How to Deal with Insects in the Garden – Apr 30, 2018

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Control: Keeping Stink Bugs Out of Your House - April 30, 2018

CSI: Garden Pests - How to Identify Insect Pests in Your Vegetable Garden - May 14, 2018

Mosquito Protection: BITE Them Before They Bite You -  June 4, 2018

Praying Mantis - Insect Profile

Cicada Killer Wasp – Insect Profile

Soldier Beetle – Insect Profile

Books by the Bug Guy

26 Things That Bug Me, Second Edition

In this one-of-a-kind ABC, Mantie the Mantid introduces children to twenty-six of her colorful friends – who enjoy buzzing, crawling, flying, glowing, and eating creepy things for lunch! Distinguished entomologist Mike Raupp pairs charming verses with close-up color photographs of bugs from A to Z, and drawings by Jeff Kollins. For children five through eight.

Available at: https://wwv.isa-arbor.com/store/product/483/CID/48

Managing Insects and Mites on Woody Plants: An IPM Approach                                                                                                  by John A. Davidson, Ph.D., and Michael J. Raupp, Ph.D.

The definitive source for managing insects and mites on woody plants, this book enables the user to quickly identify and research more than 145 different pests. This introduction to Integrated Pest Management will guide you through the process of developing and implementing an IPM program, including:

• Principles and components of Integrated Pest Management

• Elements involved in developing a program for landscape IPM

• Creation of a landscape site evaluation guide

• Agents of biological control

• Lifecycles of predatory insects

• Guidelines for managing populations of naturally occurring predators and parasites

• Pest monitoring

• Guide to insect and mite pests

• Pesticide use

• Identification, monitoring and control

Includes 240 color photos! Wire-bound, 198 pages.

Available at: https://www.tcia.org/TCIA/Shop/TCIA%20Item_Detail.aspx?iProductCode=BKIMWP3&Category=