Summer research internship at MSU advances entomology work for East Coast teen

Contact: Erin Buckley

STARKVILLE, Miss.—During his two internships with Mississippi State, 17-year-old Oliver Yung discovered three ant species previously undocumented in the state.

Yung, a Langley High School senior in McLean, Virginia, spent six weeks this past summer immersed MSU’s Department of Agriculture Science and Plant Protection, where his passion for entomology—specifically ant taxonomy—took center stage. Ant taxonomy, the science of classifying ants based on their characteristics, has been a driving interest for Yung who hopes to study this more in college. Yung discovered MSU’s entomology program by visiting the Mississippi Entomological Museum’s website, which started his journey from the East Coast to Starkville.

“I used to explore the field across from my house and catch grasshoppers and crickets. I found ants and realized I liked entomology,” he said. “I enjoy collecting the most, but I also like going into the lab and studying insects under a microscope. I get a sense of satisfaction when I study and identify insects.”

During his recent internship, Yung worked on various tasks ranging from sorting ant samples from across the country to being the lead author on a manuscript that he plans to submit to “Transactions of the American Entomological Society”. His manuscript documents three records of ant species not previously found in Mississippi, the northernmost range extensions in the state of two invasive species, and the rediscovery of a species not collected in the state for nearly 100 years.

Yung demonstrated a keen eye for spotting ants and distinguishing whether they were native or invasive. While walking to the lab on his first day, he discovered an invasive ant species that had only been known to occur in the southern portion of the state—a discovery that underscores the importance of his work in protecting the state’s ecosystems.

“I found one invasive species last summer, and another on my first day this year,” he said. “We use traps and baits to catch them and look under trees and rocks. We also had the opportunity to collect at Tishomingo State Park, which was a fun experience.”

In addition to his hands-on work at MSU, Yung is an active contributor on iNaturalist, a platform where users collaborate to identify insects, plants and other living things through photos. With more than 70,000 identifications under his belt, Yung uses the platform to enhance both his professional and personal pursuits.

Joe MacGown, an ant taxonomist and scientific illustrator in the university’s Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, praised Yung’s exceptional skills.

“He spots the smaller insects very well and he’s able to differentiate species in the field, which is a rare talent for someone so young,” MacGown said. “He knows more about ant taxonomy than many doctoral students.”

JoVonn Hill, MAFES assistant professor and director of the Mississippi Entomological Museum, expressed interest in future internships with dedicated high school students.

“Although we’ve only had one other intern in ant taxonomy, it’s something I would like to continue. It’s rewarding and mutually beneficial for the student and us. Oliver has set the bar very high,” said Hill.

For more on the Mississippi Entomological Museum, visit https://mississippientomologicalmuseum.org.msstate.edu. For more on the MAFES, visit www.mafes.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.