In late September 2025, when spring had sprung, DZE students and staff conduct a bioblitz of the Bots Gardens to find its signature species!

On Heritage Day, 24 September 2025, the DZE celebrated the diversity and cultural heritage of our department with a day of games, showcases and food!

On the 18th September 2025, DZE Masters student Jackey Mukhawana was placed as second runner-up in the National FameLab finals.

Honours student Mia Hattingh cleaned out the prizes at the 2025 Postgraduate and Post-Doctoral Conference.

“If we do not reach the public, then why are we even doing the science?" asks Rhodes University’s FameLab winner, Jackey Mukhawana after an exhilarating competition.

The Siyaphumelela (“We Succeed”) Student Success Network Conference brought together over 450 attendees and featured more than 120 presentations, all aimed at improving student outcomes in South African higher education. As an official partner, Rhodes University actively contributes to this initiative’s mission to foster a student-centred culture and enhance institutional capacity to collect and use student data effectively. The initiative’s collaborative network strives to expand these efforts nationwide.

The Royal Entomological Society has announced the winners of the RES Journals Early Career Entomologist Awards 2021-2023 - Dr Reyard Mutamiswa is one of them!

Shelley presents the new Entomology module: Ento-preneurship! at the Teaching & Learning Showcase

Ryan Wasserman is the recipients of the 2024 Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award.

Dr Mgqatsa is invited as a speaker at the 8th European Conference of Tropical Ecology.

Earlier this month, Rhodes University hosted the 2023 Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Senior Research Award Lecture, which recognises exceptional research contributions within the University. This award was presented to Professor Julie Coetzee from the Faculty of Science, a distinguished scholar who has made significant strides in the field of biological control, particularly in understanding the interactions between freshwater aquatic plants and insects.

Seahorses are considered fabled creatures by many; something that only exists in old mythical tales of the ocean. But these curious animals really exist – and they’re not the only members of the Syngnathidae family of fishes. Other syngnathids are pipefish, pygmy pipehorses and seadragons, and all are enchanting.

In an attempt to reduce the amount of chemical pesticides sprayed in the world, insect diseases, including fungi and viruses can be used as biopesticides. The CBC has been part of a team who recently released a biopesticide after many years of research and development. The CBC is very proud of our team who have accomplished this.

Keeping track of the world’s wildlife populations is fundamental to conservation efforts in the face of the continued deterioration of global biodiversity.

Megan Reid, a PhD candidate in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at Rhodes University, has won the prestigious Young Entomologists Essay Prize from the Entomological Society of South Africa (ESSA).

The Life of Nkosinathi Headman "Rubber" Ndzengu

At Rhodes University we are fortunate to have a myriad of beautiful and pristine ecosystems on our doorstep. This facilitates field-based learning activities, which are key components of many of our undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The ZOO302 (Marine Biology) course is no exception, with a day long field trip to the Kariega Estuary comprising the field component of this module.

Over the last decade, biological control has significantly reduced the negative impacts of invasive alien plants in the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.

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A tribute to Siya

One of the world’s most spectacular marine migrations is the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run. The so-called “greatest shoal on Earth” takes place during the southern hemisphere’s winter. It involves the movement of tens to hundreds of millions of sardines from the warm-temperate waters of South Africa’s south coast to the subtropical waters of the east coast, over a thousand kilometres away.

Rhodes University alumni continue flying the University flag higher and higher across the globe. They are a true embodiment of the University’s motto, “Where leaders learn” as they continue to show outstanding leadership qualities. One such alumnus is Professor Michael Bruton.

The Department of Zoology & Entomology announces with deep sadness the passing of Patrick Elliot Hulley, a universally respected and deeply valued colleague, who died peacefully in Port Elizabeth on 16 June from complications following a stroke.

A research team from Rhodes University and the Port Elizabeth Museum has discovered a new species and genus of snake, and have named them in honour of two reptile scientists (herpetologists) from the Eastern Cape.

Billions of tiny insects are currently responsible for rapidly destroying the hyacinth on the Hartbeespoort Dam and scientists are of the opinion that herbicides have not been sprayed on the dying water plants.