Researchers at Ohio State University developed a method to predict the lethal combination of insecticide concentration, droplet size, and number for specific species. The new approach boosts insect mortality by 60-70% in laboratory experiments, showing promise for more effective pest control with reduced environmental risks.
A recent study by Ohio State University suggests that evergreen trees can collect two to four times more pesticide spray droplets than broadleaf plants. The researchers recommend planting a line of evergreen trees around crops to reduce the movement of pesticide sprays outside their fields.
Researchers Ally R. Harari and Jane Brockmann studied the behavior of Diaprepes abbreviatus beetles, finding that mounting females attracts larger males, improving female reproductive success. The beetle's behavior appears to suggest a different explanation for homosexual behavior than observed in domesticated animals.
Two prominent entomologists warn that recent studies on genetically engineered crops have distorted the debate, potentially having profound consequences for science and public policy. The experts question the methodology used in these studies, particularly one claiming Bt corn kills monarch butterfly larvae in laboratory tests.
Researchers have confirmed that catnip repels German cockroaches, specifically through the action of nepetalactone. The study also found that male cockroaches are more sensitive to the repellent activity than females.
Researchers at Virginia Tech created an environmentally safe bait to control carpenter ants by understanding the insects' foraging behavior and diet. The bait was developed using a combination of proteins, sugar, and other compounds, and has been shown to be effective in reducing ant populations and improving homeowners' quality of life.
A recent study found that tomato plants artificially stimulated with chemical jasmonic acid attract parasitic wasps, which kill twice as many caterpillars on treated plants. This natural defense mechanism can be used to develop environmentally friendly agricultural pest control methods.
Researchers at Kansas State University found that bug zappers can spread microorganisms including viruses, potentially causing harm to humans. The devices may not be effective in controlling insect populations, as they indiscriminately kill beneficial insects and only kill a small percentage of damaging insects.
Research by Cornell University reveals that genetically engineered corn, designed to protect against pests, can kill monarch butterfly larvae when they come into contact with its pollen. This has significant implications for the long-term survival of the monarch species, which is already facing habitat disruption and other threats.
Researchers at Kansas State University conducted a genetic study on corn borer resistance to Bt toxins, finding that the European corn borer's resistance appears to be inherited as an incompletely dominant trait. The team emphasizes the importance of developing effective resistance management plans to mitigate potential losses.
Bugscope is an online platform that allows students to conduct their own insect research using advanced microscopy technology. The platform, developed by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, provides students with access to a scanning electron microscope and real-time discussions with experts.
A new University of Delaware theory explains how good insect moms fiercely protect their young by fanning their wings and charging predators when all hopes are on a single batch of eggs. The semelparous insects, which lay a single clutch, defend their only genetic legacy to the death.
The new detection system, developed by Dr. Gregg Henderson and his team, samples the air in building walls to analyze for termites' unique gases. Early detection could prevent significant damage, saving homeowners millions annually.
Researchers at Virginia Tech will study the potential connection between pesticide exposure during the Persian Gulf War and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's Disease. The three-year project aims to investigate neurochemical changes in mice exposed to insecticides, which could provide insights into the disease.
Female Mediterranean fruit flies exhibit two distinct aging patterns when food supply is limited, delaying reproduction until advanced age. Once a complete diet is available, they produce eggs rapidly and age swiftly, suggesting reproduction as a key factor in aging.
Researchers successfully wiped out 20 square kilometers of water hyacinth in the Sepik River, reducing infestations from 27 square kilometers to just seven over five years. The use of biological control agents like weevils was a key factor in this achievement.
Researchers analyzed 19 samples of honey from 14 different floral sources and found that dark buckwheat honey packs 20 times the antioxidant punch as California sage honey. Darker honey has less water and more antioxidants than light-colored honey, making it a potential supplemental source for antioxidants.
Scientists have identified a new family of insecticidal toxins produced by Photorhabdus luminescens, which are active against a wide range of insects and at least as potent as Bt. The discovery holds promise for the future of natural pest control, particularly in the face of increasing resistance to Bt.
Researchers have discovered that dust mites cluster together to survive dry spells, which may lead to new ways of exterminating them. The study found that males cluster to conserve moisture, while females do not, and that pheromones may play a role in finding mates.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified a genetic link to the aggressive stinging behavior in Africanized honey bees. By mapping genes associated with aggression, they hope to develop markers for selective breeding of gentle bees, which could improve pollination and reduce threats to beekeepers.
Researchers confirm that plants have an adaptive immune-like response to insect damage, increasing seed production by 60% and resisting pests. The study used wild radish as a model plant and found that triggering this response enhanced plant fitness, providing a potential alternative to chemical pesticides.
Researchers discovered that tiger beetles' ability to see shuts down when accelerating towards prey due to insufficient photon gathering. This unique behavior results in the insect's stop-and-go chase pattern, allowing it to temporarily regain its vision and catch its prey.
Scientists have discovered a new bacterium, Photorhabdus luminescens, with a toxin effective against a broad range of insect pests. The bacteria can be used as a spray or fed directly to insects, and its genetic material has been licensed for use in crop plants.
A bioreserve system in the DMZ could foster trust and collaboration between North and South Korea, Dr. Ke Chung Kim suggests. Creating such a system would also provide economic opportunities through ecotourism and resource conservation.
Research shows that the tannins produced by oak trees inhibit gypsy moth caterpillar growth and viral infection, with enzymes like PPO playing a key role in this process. This discovery could lead to new methods for controlling gypsy moth populations.
Researchers at Penn State discovered that forest tent caterpillars can evade trees' defense mechanisms by defoliating branches too rapidly for the tree to respond. This social eating pattern may be their protection against a tree's natural defenses, making them chemically invisible to the tree.
Scientists have discovered that two parasitic wasps, Spalangia endius and Spalangia nigoraenea, can efficiently control stable and house flies in Illinois. This finding has significant implications for the state's agricultural industry and public health.
University of Delaware scientists have discovered that firefly larvae use light signals to ward off predators, rather than coloration. The research suggests an aposematic display, warning predators of an unappetizing meal.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that plants with simulated leaf domatia attract beneficial insects, reducing spider mite populations and increasing cotton yield by 30%. This mutually beneficial relationship offers a natural biological control strategy to pesticides.
Forensic entomologist Gail Anderson's work helps secure conviction for two Canadian bear poachers. Insect egg samples from the victims' bodies were analyzed to determine the time of death, tying the suspects to the crime scene.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that protein-deprived diet reduces life expectancy in both male and female Medflies, but females are harder hit. This reversal of the natural lifespan advantage suggests a vulnerable window of time for females during reproduction.
A new species of ground beetle, Platynus indecentis, has been officially named and described by entomologists at Cornell University. The beetle was found in the Ithaca area and has a natural range extending from Maine to Ohio and Ontario to Maryland.
Researchers discovered a genetic basis for the hormonal mechanism regulating drone development in male honey bees, which accelerates their growth and allows them to mature early. The findings provide evolutionary insight into the mechanisms controlling worker bee behavior and could lead to new tools for brain research.
The Asian longhorned beetle is attacking Brooklyn's horsechestnut and Norway maple tree population, which are under immense pressure due to urbanization. The beetle's larvae can weaken trees structurally, posing a significant threat to the city's tree population.
Researchers discover a new parasitic wasp that attacks caterpillars harming citrus trees, offering an alternative to chemical pesticides. The discovery has economic potential for the US orange juice industry.
Researchers challenge conventional wisdom that scraping off bee stings is more effective than pinching them out. Immediate removal of the sting, rather than its method of removal, reduces the amount of venom injected. Delaying removal increases welt size and envenomization.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have extracted a range of natural chemical compounds from the green ash tree that can repel or poison gypsy moth larvae. The chemicals work at very low concentrations and offer an environmentally benign alternative to existing control methods.
Wild honeybee populations have collapsed due to a combination of factors, including harsh winters, wet springs, and blood-sucking mites. As a result, small and medium-sized fruit and vegetable growers will be hardest hit, leading to smaller yields and lower quality produce.
In a study by Cornell University, male fire-colored beetles (Neopyrochroa flabellata) entice females with a chemical offering containing cantharidin. The female ingests the chemical, which is then transferred to her eggs, protecting them from predators. This unique strategy highlights the resourcefulness of male insects in seeking mates.
Researchers are using neutron radiography to study the behavior of corn rootworms, analyze artwork, and investigate environmental issues such as oil spills. The technology also enables non-invasive observation of root growth, water distribution, and soil responses.