Urban entomology is the study of insects associated with the near environments of humans and their companion animals. Worldwide, urbanization is increasing at the rate of 3.8% annually, and in the year 2000 the percentage of individuals living in urban environments (52%) exceeded the percentage living in rural environments for the first time in history. As urban populations increase, the presence of insect pests in these environments can have a significant impact on the social, medical, economic, and aesthetic well-being of people living there.

At MU, programs in Urban Entomology seek to understand more about the insects that inhabit human environments and to mitigate their negative impacts.