Sharon Wirth is an Undergraduate Research Technician in the Kral-O'Brien Lab. She is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and is majoring in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation and Ecology at Iowa State University with a minor in Entomology. This summer, she is assisting with research on pollinator populations in saturated buffers and CP43 prairie strips.
What have you enjoyed about living in Iowa? Since I grew up in St. Louis, coming to Ames for college was a drastic change. One thing I’ve enjoyed most about living in Iowa is getting the chance to learn about its native wildlife through the courses I’ve taken at Iowa State. While it might seem like an unassuming state at first, Iowa has a multitude of fascinating insects, birds, and other animals if you look a bit closer.
Why did you choose Iowa State for college? I chose Iowa State primarily because of its program for wildlife and fisheries conservation and ecology. This is a relatively unique major, and I was excited to find that ISU offered exactly what I was looking for. I was also interested in the many entomological opportunities on campus and have now worked 3 campus jobs related to insects.
What's the most useful thing you've learned as a student? One of the most useful things I’ve learned as a student is to pursue my passions. At school, I’ve had the chance to take courses I’m fascinated by, participate in clubs, and find people who share my interests. My favorite class I’ve taken so far was insect biology, where I got to learn in depth about the organisms that I’ve loved throughout my life.
Why did you choose Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation and Ecology as your major? Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by wildlife (specifically insects). As I grew up, it became apparent to me that I wanted to study wildlife both to satisfy my curiosity about biodiversity and to make an impact in conservation. Many species go extinct every day due to human actions, and I want to help play a role in reducing this.
Why are you interested in pollinator insects? Pollinators are crucial for the survival of both humans and the Earth. I remember learning that about one in every three bites of food we eat is a direct result of pollination by animals such as bees and butterflies. I believe that monitoring pollinator populations and supporting them is essential, and since I also enjoy learning about insects, the research that I’m taking part in is a win-win for me.
Describe your research this summer: This summer, I’m working alongside Rory Wisgerhof to conduct pollinator surveys at saturated buffers and CP43 prairie strip sites on farms across Iowa. We’re specifically studying how the diversity of butterflies, bees, and hoverflies differs between these two types of sites. As a field technician, my role is to help collect the raw data for this research. This includes conducting butterfly surveys, sweep-netting to collect bees and hoverflies, and counting flowering plants.
What is a skill you hope to refine during your internship? I didn’t have any experience conducting field surveys before this internship, and this skill is one that I’ve been eager to learn and have greatly enjoyed so far. I also hope to improve my prairie plant identification skills, as well as the identification of bee, butterfly, and hoverfly species.
How do you hope to apply what you have learned in the future? Since I hope to study wildlife or insects in the future, this internship is a great opportunity for me to get relevant field experience. My increased knowledge of pollinator identification, conducting field surveys, and prairie plants will all benefit my future career, especially if I participate in further field work. I also hope to apply what I’ve learned in my personal life by educating others about the importance of pollinator insects.
How can Iowans help the monarch butterfly? One of the best ways for Iowans to help the monarch butterfly is to plant pollinator gardens with native milkweed. Not only do pollinator gardens look infinitely nicer than a plain lawn, but they also provide nectar and host plants for native pollinating insects. Milkweed is especially important to plant for monarchs because it serves as a host plant where they lay eggs and continue their life cycle. It’s also important to avoid using pesticides in your yard, as these can directly harm and kill pollinators such as monarchs.
Photo credits: Sharon Wirth