Creepy and charismatic: Using the ubiquitous presence of insects to discuss ecology on "Relax, I'm an Entomologist"

In an era where two-thirds of Americans gain their news from social media, competition for attention in a newsfeed is tough. Communicating nuanced ecological issues for public understanding is even tougher. For over six years we have used our entomology-orientated Facebook page to actively engage our 80,000 followers on topics like GMOs, invasive species, and public health. Much like flipping a classroom, effective public outreach utilizes peer-to-peer education and stimulating visuals. Benefiting from the public fascination of insects and other arthropods allows us to begin discussion on challenging topics when the intended audience might otherwise be disinterested.