Allen Gibbs

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Professor of Life Sciences

Expertise: Insects, Physiology, Evolution

Biography

Allen Gibbs is an evolutionary physiologist whose research focuses on insect physiology, experimental evolution, and evolutionary physiology. He is often called upon by local and national media to explain phenomena regarding insects.

His research also includes how organisms interact with their environments, along with how physiological systems function and evolve under stress. Most recently, he and his students have studied the life of the fruit fly, specifically the effects of obesity on the tiny creatures.

His work has been featured in numerous publications, including the Journal of Comparative Physiology, American Zoologist, and the Journal of Experimental Biology.

Education

Ph.D., Marine Biology, University of California, San Diego
B.A., Chemistry, University of Chicago

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Allen Gibbs In The News

Las Vegas valley sees increase in flying insects as weather begins to warm

Spring has come and while temperatures are rising, the Las Vegas valley is seeing more pesky insects crawling and flying around.

Grasshoppers return to Las Vegas, but will we see an invasion like 2019?

Who can forget the 2019 grasshopper invasion? Grasshoppers were covering gas stations, overcoming the skies, and fast forward to today, the question that everyone may have is, “Will this be a repeat of 2019?”

Las Vegas and grasshoppers: What to expect this year

Many Las Vegas locals have already reported seeing swarms of grasshoppers. The pallid-winged grasshopper is the most common type of grasshopper seen here in the desert according to Professor Allen Gibbs at UNLV. While they can be pesky, grasshoppers are harmless except for some plants and gardens.

Grasshoppers are back in the Las Vegas Valley

Tourists aren’t the only ones attracted to the bright lights of the Strip. Grasshoppers have flown into the Las Vegas Valley — not to gamble, but to nosh on vegetation brought by the summer’s late monsoon season.