Researchers are cloning mosquito genes to understand the hormone-controlled mechanism of diuresis, a fast process by which mosquitoes excrete waste. This study aims to develop new, selective insecticides targeting the hormone receptor, potentially controlling vector-borne diseases like dengue fever.
Researchers discover green leafy volatiles (GLV) prime corn plant defenses to respond more strongly against subsequent herbivorous insect attacks. The primed plants produce chemical signals that attract natural parasites and predators, increasing crop protection.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley biologist Rosemary Gillespie found that Hawaiian spiders diversified to fill a wide range of habitats on the Hawaiian Islands. The research suggests that evolution plays a key role in shaping communities on these islands, similar to mainland processes.
Corn earworm moths travel at varying heights influenced by air currents, affecting their migration patterns. By analyzing wind patterns and weather forecasts, researchers aim to forecast the arrival of these pests and develop targeted insecticide strategies to reduce damage.
Researchers found that male flesh flies radically move their heads while chasing females, but don't necessarily use the high-definition parts of their compound eyes. This unique visual guidance system could help engineers develop better detection systems for aircraft and artillery.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified the first gene in lice that kills bacteria threatening the insect. The study also found genes involved in digesting human blood and fighting off infections. Understanding lice genetics could lead to novel pest control strategies, potentially benefiting public health.
Researchers at Kansas State University have been chosen to sequence the red flour beetle's genome as part of a multimillion-dollar project. This will enable new experimental approaches and strategies for controlling harmful insects.
Researchers identified 25 genes involved in termite caste development, including muscle function and cellulase production. Treatment with juvenile hormone can convert worker termites into soldiers, potentially leading to colony decimation.
A new study found that gene expression is robustly associated with behavior in adult honey bee brains, revealing a dynamic genome involved in modulating behavior.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a new gene, called H31, that can help wheat plants resist damage from the Hessian fly. By combining this gene with others, they aim to extend resistance time by up to six times, reducing the need for chemicals and preserving the environment.
A recent UC Riverside study found that mosquito coils in Indonesia and Asian markets contain the banned substance S-2, which can cause exposure to bischloromethyl ether, a potent lung carcinogen. The researchers plan to measure levels of BCME in indoor environments where the coils are used.
A Penn State study reveals that low-maintenance lawns harbor higher populations of beneficial arthropods, such as mites and collembolans, while high-maintenance lawns experience reduced diversity due to chemical applications and mowing.
The Amorphophallus titan, or 'Ted the Titan,' produces a distinctive odor to attract flies for pollination. Scientists have identified compounds in the plant's scent that are similar to those found in rotting meat, and research is underway to isolate these compounds and explore their potential uses.
A new Web-based calculator will warn public health officials when and where mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus thrive or die, based on climate data. The system will help track mosquito populations' development and aging, which is crucial for predicting outbreaks.
A study by Sean Brady reveals that army ants originated from the same source on Gondwana 100 million years ago, instead of evolving independently on separate continents. The ants' unique characteristics, including nomadic behavior and reproductive adaptation, have remained unchanged over time.
Researchers found low-dose exposure to permethrin triggered a process with early onset and persistent effects, while high-level exposures had delayed effects. The study suggests that genetic predisposition may increase the risk of damage from pesticide exposure.
Researchers found naturally occurring fungi effective in controlling plant mites and powdery mildew diseases without chemical pesticides. This breakthrough reduces costs and environmental damage associated with traditional pest control methods.
Penn State scientists are developing genetically engineered plants that can detect and signal harmful chemical or biological agents. These 'sentinel plants' could be used to warn of bioterrorism threats, locate land mines, and even monitor environmental conditions in agriculture.
Researchers at Purdue University found that ozone can effectively kill insects in grain storage facilities without damaging food quality or the environment. The gas has a short half-life and low dosage is used to eliminate bugs, reducing the risk of mycotoxins and potential food-borne diseases.
Researchers studied DNA sequences to understand co-evolutionary system between ants, garden fungi and parasitic fungal weeds. They found that the system has been locked in an evolutionary 'arms race' for millions of years.
Researchers have successfully used Non-Contact Ultrasound (NCU) to inactivate bacterial spores, opening up potential for sterilizing mail, medical equipment, food, and more. The technology uses high-frequency sound waves to penetrate materials without causing harm.
Bees that follow dance language with distance and direction information collect more food than those following disoriented dances. This effect is strongest during the winter season and helps ensure colony survival.
Researchers used stable isotope assessment to determine that most late-season moths in the Cotton Belt are developing on non-cotton plants like corn, providing a major refuge for H. zea moths and helping to control pesticide-resistant pests.
A UC Riverside study of 2,055 brown recluse spiders in a Kansas home found no bites on occupants. The study suggests that many skin lesions misdiagnosed as 'brown recluse spider bites' are actually caused by other factors like infections or bug bites.
Researchers develop theoretical models to understand the spatial component of insect outbreaks and predict their spread. By analyzing the Larch budmoth infestation in the European Alps, they confirmed that space-time models accurately predict geographic spread and timing, even with complex dynamics involved.
Insects like corn earworms intercept plant chemical signals to produce detoxifying enzymes that neutralize toxins. This allows them to mount their own defenses and counterattack plants' defensive systems.
Scientists are exploring how molecular genetics can improve classical biological control by finding natural enemies well adapted to target invasive pests. Genetically modified crops with toxins like Bt may also be compatible with natural enemies, offering a new approach to controlling unwanted insect pests.
Researchers analyzed Anopheles gambiae genome for transposable elements to develop new ways to prevent malaria transmission. The study's findings have the potential to inform the design of new strategies against this devastating disease.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered a previously undetected gene that regulates insect sex-pheromone production, leading to rapid evolution of chemical systems and new species emergence. The delta-14 gene allows females to change their pheromone components, attracting only one male out of 200 with the same response.
Scientists have found tiny bugs living inside mealybugs, which could aid in pest control efforts. The discovery also reveals a complex relationship between the insects and their bacteria, potentially leading to new methods of species identification.
Scientists at the University of Massachusetts have developed a way to grow colonies of mutated head lice in a laboratory setting. This allows them to examine the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of resistance and monitor the frequency of mutations that cause resistance.
A new study found that DEET-based insect repellents were significantly more effective than plant-based alternatives in preventing mosquito bites. The study tested 16 representative products and found that DEET-based products provided the longest-lasting protection, with some lasting up to five hours.
Researchers discovered that brightly colored and patterned spiny spiders in Australia are more effective at catching prey due to their vibrant colors. The spiders use their colors to mimic food sources like flowers, attracting visually oriented insects.
A natural compound found in tomatoes has been patented and licensed for production as an insect repellent. The substance, IBI-246, is considered slightly safer than DEET and repels a range of insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and biting flies.
A new study found that a specific gene stimulates an activity-boosting enzyme in the brain's visual processing centers of honeybees, leading to changes in foraging behavior. The gene's impact on foraging is similar to its effects in other species, suggesting a crucial role in understanding how genes influence behavior.
University of Rhode Island researchers, Thomas Mather and David Nelson, are developing a new Lyme disease vaccine using tick saliva genes. They have received $2.3 million NIH grant to identify promising genes over five years.
Researchers Kun Yan Zhu and Jian-Rong Gao found that greenbugs with resistance develop a higher rate of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, requiring more insecticide to kill. This breakthrough may lead to better pest control methods by monitoring resistance in individual fields.
Methyl bromide fumigation is a better option than current treatments for killing anthrax, according to UF researchers. The method could have saved $23 million in cleanup costs compared to estimated methods.
Borlaug's work in Mexico led to the development of high-yield, low-pesticide wheat, increasing crop production by 7000% in just a few decades. His efforts have since expanded to sub-Saharan Africa and India, helping small-scale farmers adopt improved agricultural techniques
A nonwoven fiber barrier made of ethylene vinyl acetate can significantly reduce the number of eggs laid by onion maggots, with treated plants having an average of 1.4 eggs per plant compared to 10.4 for untreated plants.
The new center will focus on developing solutions to the two major threats to honeybees, including parasitic mites and Africanized honeybees. It aims to create mite-resistant stocks of honeybees using molecular technologies and traditional breeding methods.
Measles researchers used statistical techniques to pinpoint epidemic patterns in cities, revealing a two-year cycle, with larger cities catching on faster. The disease spreads through waves at about 5 kilometers per week, primarily carried by school children.
Researchers found that forager bees have lower activity levels of a protein called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in their brains, which may lead to enhanced cognitive performance. A study led by Gene E. Robinson at the University of Illinois showed that reducing AChE activity improved learning abilities in foragers.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a natural parasite that can control leaf-eating slugs, which destroy crops every spring and fall. The parasite, known as Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, is effective in killing American slugs just as well as the most popular slug poison, metaldehyde.
Genetic modified organism (GMO) crops can benefit from a 'refugia strategy' that preserves susceptible insect genes. This approach aims to counteract potential insect resistance by allowing certain pests to survive and breed in GMO-free areas.
Researchers found that nepetalactone in catnip is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET. The compound can be used as an alternative to commercial insect repellents with lower concentrations required, making it a promising discovery for pest control.
Researchers at Purdue University developed a method to use pesticides in a precise way to stop genetic resistance from arising. Using multiple pesticides together can delay resistance for decades, potentially reducing costs and social impacts.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that fire ant queens can alter the sex ratio of their colonies by limiting female eggs laid. This finding suggests a negotiated middle ground between queens and workers, who have competing interests in raising new colony members.
Researchers have identified a gene that confers high levels of resistance in the tobacco budworm moth to genetically engineered crops with built-in insecticides. This discovery will enable farmers and government officials to take early steps to prevent uncontrollable outbreaks by detecting the early signs of pests evolving resistance.
Researchers found that warmer temperatures will allow the Asian tiger mosquito to breed faster and potentially spread farther north, possibly surviving year-round in areas where winter freezes now kill it off. The study also suggests that global warming may alter the distribution of other mosquito species, with potentially severe conse...
Researchers at Cornell University have found that releasing an early army of beneficial Trichogramma ostriniae wasps can halve European corn borer damage. The study suggests that growers only need to release around 30,000 wasps per acre and that subsequent releases may not be necessary.
Researchers found that bees can deliver a biological fungicide to strawberry blooms more effectively than mechanical sprayers, reducing infected strawberries by 72 percent. The bee-delivered natural fungicide was as effective as chemical sprays at preventing gray mold, a common disease in strawberries.
Researchers found that genetically modified Bt corn pollen had no adverse effect on black swallowtail caterpillars in field tests. The study's results contradict previous findings for monarch caterpillars, suggesting a safer genetic modification option for non-target species.
Researchers discovered that large female spiders in colonies compete for space by building their webs earlier, using a capitalist technique to pre-empt areas. This strategy allows them to secure private space for egg-laying and reduces conflicts with smaller spiders.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that managed honey bees pollinate over 50 crops worth $14.6 billion per year, a 36.3% increase from 1989. The contribution of honey bees to US agriculture is crucial for food production and security.
Researchers at Cornell University have identified and cloned a key gene in the reproductive system of male cockroaches, which could lead to the development of safe and effective birth control. The goal is to create a pesticide that specifically targets pests without harming other insects or humans.
Dr. F. Ann Walker, a researcher on the kissing bug, will present her award-winning research on heme proteins and Chagas' disease at the American Chemical Society meeting. The study highlights the intersection of entomology, inorganic biochemistry, medicine, and anthropology.
Researchers found that field refuges made of non-Bt plants can prevent insects from developing resistance to Bt-engineered crops. The study demonstrated the importance of carefully managing insects within these refuges to ensure their effectiveness.
Global warming accelerates human disease outbreaks, malnutrition, and environmental degradation due to increased pollution and crop losses. As populations grow, crowded cities will become breeding grounds for diseases like dengue fever, while waterborne illnesses spread unchecked.
Researchers used harmonic radar to track honey bees during orientation flights, revealing they learn to navigate by flying faster and visiting more areas. The study suggests that orientation flights allow bees to adapt to new environments, but the scientists still want to know why some bees take more or fewer flights.