Scientists discovered colorful insect specimens in 99-million-year-old amber fossils, revealing the secrets of true coloration. The study sheds light on the behavior and ecology of ancient animals, providing insights into ecosystems in the deep geological past.
Scientists from CNRS, Université de Lorraine, and Inrae have developed a cable-driven robot that can follow and interact with free-flying insects. The robot successfully studied the free flight of moths up to a speed of 3 meters/second, enabling researchers to better understand insect orientation strategies.
A new study finds that temperate insects are as threatened by climate change as tropical species due to their inactive periods. The researchers analyzed insect populations and found temperatures close to optimal or critical limits, risking population decline and ecosystem disruption.
Certain insects arrest their development at specific stages to cope with extreme conditions, a process known as overwintering. Research reveals that day length and temperature separately regulate this adaptation, utilizing distinct mechanisms including the juvenile hormone pathway and insulin/TOR signaling pathway.
Flying insects integrate visual, olfactory, and aerodynamic cues to locate objects in 3D space. Research using virtual reality revealed that Dipteran species use depth cues, wind tunnel-like airflow fields, and odor information to navigate.
Researchers found that providing high-quality supplementary food boosts urban great tits' breeding success, with insects playing a crucial role in their development. Urban areas support fewer insects than natural habitats, leading to reduced breeding success.
Researchers discovered a Jurassic stick insect that employed mimicry by resembling ferns to protect itself from predators. The discovery reveals the earliest known specializations for mimicry and defense in stick insects, dating back 165 million years. This finding sheds light on the evolution of these remarkable insects.
Scientists used virtual reality to simulate a naturalistic environment for insects, revealing their ability to use perspective and motion parallax to locate food sources. The study also showed that airflow cues play a crucial role in orienting flies, especially in the absence of visual cues.
A KAUST study investigates the insect's physical features and movement to evade sea dangers, revealing a highly water-repellant waxy coating and specialized body hairs. The team also discovers the insects' extraordinary acceleration, using it as inspiration for new liquid repellent technologies and materials design.
Researchers from the Universities of Bonn and Zurich have found a significant decline in food plants for insects in the canton of Zurich over the past 100 years. This has resulted in a decrease in the abundance of species visited by bees, bumblebees, wasps, butterflies, hoverflies, flies, and beetles.
The largest study to date has found that global insect populations are declining on land by an average of 0.92% per year, resulting in a 24% decrease over 30 years. However, freshwater insects have shown an average annual increase of 1.08%, corresponding to a 38% increase over 30 years.
A meta-analysis of 166 long-term surveys across 1,676 sites worldwide reveals highly spatially variable global insect population trends, showing an average 9% per decade decline in terrestrial insects. In contrast, freshwater insect abundance increases by 11% per decade, possibly due to successful clean water efforts.
Researchers analyze 13,000-year-old fossils to understand the origin of light-scattering nanostructures in insects, which create colorful iridescent colors. The study finds that these structures may have evolved as a means of camouflage, with similar color patterns maintained over hundreds of thousands of generations.
Two research collections showcase new tools using genetic analysis and geospatial technology to detect and track invasive species. The collections provide insights into the practical implications of these innovative solutions for improved management of invasive species.
A new study reveals that crustaceans like shrimps and lobsters have a similar brain structure to insects, called mushroom bodies, which are essential for learning and memory. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that these structures are unique to insects.
A study by the University of Turku found that four damselfly species can catch and eat hundreds of thousands of insects during a summer, with chironomids being their favorite food. This has significant implications for understanding natural food web functions and the impact of predation on insect populations.
Researchers used a virtual flight simulator to compare the effects of two pesticides on locusts, finding that the newer sulfoxamine pesticide does not impair motion detection ability at low dosages. The study suggests that the pesticide may be safer than current neonicotinoid options for agriculture use.
The Swedish Malaise Trap Project has documented 20 million insects collected over 15 years, providing a unique timestamp of the country's insect fauna. The project has identified over 1,300 new species and 87 previously unknown to science.
A comprehensive analysis of UK biodiversity over 45 years reveals concerning declines in terrestrial non-insect invertebrates, but strong recoveries in freshwater insects. Overall occupancy of invertebrates increased by 11%, with freshwater insects surpassing 1970 levels after a 47% decline.
Scientists have resolved the structure of an essential protein for insect smell, suggesting that millions of odor receptors evolved to suit different lifestyles and habitats. The protein Orco forms a common channel with many odor receptors, allowing for diverse adaptations.
A study by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research found that flowering plants are better pollinated in urban areas than in rural regions. Bees, particularly bumblebees, played a crucial role in this process. The researchers recommend considering the needs of bees when planning green spaces in both cities and countryside.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered that wasps can recognize individual faces, a rare ability among insects. This finding sheds light on how intelligence evolves and has implications for other species, including humans.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that carcasses of dead deer have a positive effect on biodiversity in the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve. Plants near carcasses grew five times larger, attracting more insects and predators. The researchers call for relaxing regulations to allow dead large grazers to remain, benefiting other natu...
Researchers found that animal carcasses contribute to increased plant growth, attracting herbivorous insects and their predators. This has a positive impact on the local food chain, persisting even five months after death.
Researchers discover 15 new species of parasitoid wasps that manipulate spider behavior to protect their young. The wasps' complex web-spinning abilities are a rare phenomenon in nature.
A new study reveals insects experience similar physiological effects of gravity as humans, with air sacs expanding in response to orientation. Insects have an active response called functional compartmentalization, allowing them to control pressure and maintain blood flow.
Grasshoppers adjust their cardiovascular and respiratory activity in response to gravity, with mechanisms similar to those found in vertebrates. The study reveals that insects have functional valves and can control fluid flow to prevent blood pooling in the brain.
Researchers have identified hundreds of new viral diseases in insects, including those with negative strand RNA genomes that cause Ebola and measles. The discovery expands the database of known viruses, enabling scientists to investigate cases of rare illnesses in humans more effectively.
Researchers tracked common noctule bat trajectories in Berlin to find that they mostly avoid built-up areas with artificial light. Instead, they use dark corridors like forests, parks, and watercourses for commuting and foraging.
A new study reveals that plant-eating insects significantly impact forest ecosystems, causing nutrient leaching and increased carbon dioxide emissions. The researchers found that these insects can disrupt ecosystems more than previously thought, especially in cold areas where temperatures may rise.
Researchers used 3-D simulations to study how bats detect insect swarms, finding that small insects like mosquitoes become perceivable in large groups. The study's findings could provide insights into the evolution of bat echolocation and have potential applications for defense systems.
Researchers at the University of York found that non-native plants are supporting communities of British insects, including pollinators and beetles. The study suggests that a balance between native and non-native plants may provide the best home for most insects.
Researchers discovered small insects like mosquitoes become visible to bats in large swarms due to Quasi Constant Frequency signals. This finding sheds light on the evolution of bat echolocation and its potential applications for detecting drone swarms.
Researchers used a thrip's wing and microcantilever to study the drag force on an actual insect's wing under constant airflow. The study found that the natural bristled design could increase sensitivity in tiny flying or swimming robots.
A University of Guelph study found that fruit flies' aggression depends on their previous interactions, not just who they're interacting with. The study showed that males in certain social groups became more aggressive after one-on-one encounters.
A University of Guelph study reveals that fruit flies' aggression is shaped by past interactions, not just who they interact with. The findings suggest that aggression is a complex trait influenced by social experiences, and its effects can last for up to three days.
Artificial light at night negatively impacts thousands of species, causing global declines in abundance. Experts recommend turning off unnecessary lights, using motion-activated fixtures, and selecting amber-colored lights to curb light pollution and preserve insect populations.
New study highlights significant advances in phloem-insect/pathogen interaction understanding, but notes research gaps and barriers to study. Researchers propose integrating phloem-feeding insect/pathogen interactions into plant science for improving host resistance.
Insects are moving northwards in response to climate change, but often find no suitable habitats for settlement. Habitat availability plays a crucial role in determining expansion rates, with some species thriving in certain conditions while others struggle.
A team developed a way to understand how nonnative insects might behave in their new environments, using evolutionary history. The model can quickly evaluate the risk of insect invasions and help foresters predict which species will be problematic.
A study involving over 100 researchers demonstrates that biodiversity enhances pollination and biological pest control, leading to increased crop yields. Higher agricultural biodiversity also reduces the reliance on pesticides, promoting sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found that European nightjars begin their autumn migration 10 days after the full moon and synchronize their flight to depart at the same time. The study reveals that moonlight affects the birds' activity patterns, enabling them to hunt more efficiently and replenish energy reserves.
A new study reveals that DFDT, a faster and less toxic insecticide than DDT, was created by German scientists during WWII. The compound kills insects more quickly and in smaller amounts, potentially minimizing its environmental impact.
A new phylogenomic tree reveals the early evolution of stick insects was likely triggered by birds and mammals. The study suggests that their remarkable camouflage abilities evolved as an adaptation to avoid predators, with most old lineages emerging after the dinosaurs became extinct 66 million years ago.
Researchers found that flour beetles' immune system adapts to specific bacteria after repeated exposure, leading to improved specificity and survival chances. The study's results could have implications for human innate immunity and may lead to new strategies for combating pests like the red flour beetle.
A new special issue of the Annals of the Entomological Society of America showcases research on insect agriculture for food and feed. More than 1 million insect species are known, offering room for growth in the field. Insect-based industries could reach $50-100 billion by 2050, bolstering global ag sector while protecting environment.
Scientists discovered that viruses alter host plant immunity to deter non-vector insect herbivores, facilitating disease transmission. Geminivirus infection redistributes plant metabolites, inhibiting herbivore growth and production.
Four new species of extinct Paradoxosisyrinae were discovered in Burmese amber, revealing nectar-feeding habits and inefficient proboscis design. Researchers found the insects could not seal their proboscis for effective nectar uptake, limiting their ability to feed on deep-flowered plants.
Researchers created a bio-inspired compound eye that can detect objects' 3D locations based on light intensity, similar to insects. The system allows for rapid detection and could be used in robots, self-driving cars, and UAVs.
Researchers are studying how male-killing microbes affect insect reproduction and evolution. The project aims to understand the genetic mechanisms behind these microbes' ability to suppress male fertility.
Martin Nyffeler's study calculates the significant ecological role of insectivorous birds in consuming herbivorous insects and other arthropods. The research reveals that forest birds are major consumers of arthropod biomass, with an estimated 400-500 million tons of prey consumed annually.
A study by the USDA Forest Service and Purdue University finds that non-native invasive insects and diseases are reducing the amount of carbon stored in trees across the United States. The study estimates that 41% of live forest biomass is threatened, with certain species like emerald ash borer and gypsy moth causing significant damage.
Despite temperature fluctuations, treehoppers' mating habits remain intact. Researchers at Saint Louis University found that male treehoppers' songs and female preferences adapt together in response to changing temperatures.
Researchers found that sticky glandular trichomes on tobacco leaves trap insects, which are then consumed by the spined stilt bug, a predator that protects the plant from pest infestation. This mutualistic relationship increases leaf yield and reduces plant damage without harming the tobacco plants.
Researchers discovered that resistant poplar trees have higher levels of defense hormones and lower cytokinins. Hormone changes in response to insect feeding are also inherited, providing a model for pest management.
Researchers investigated how insects, such as crickets and locusts, respond to different dry feed variants containing cornstarch, protein-rich cowpea leaves and vitamin-enriched carrot powder. The study found immense species-specific differences in metabolism and digestion between the two insect species.
Researchers found that neonicotinoids in contaminated honeydew can kill a majority of hoverflies and parasitic wasps within 3 days. Beneficial insects fed on nectar or pollen from treated trees were not affected.
Researchers found that bats can distinguish insect from leaf by approaching at optimal angles, exploiting echo reflection on leaves. The study has implications for predator-prey interactions and echolocation.
Researchers at Penn State found that plants can induce 'leaky gut syndrome' in insects by disrupting their protective gut barriers. This can lead to septicemia or an immune response that weakens the insect, providing a new strategy for plant defenses.
A computational simulation suggests that insects can use skylight properties to determine their compass direction with an error of less than two degrees. This discovery could inspire designs for new navigation tools for robots, potentially replacing GPS technology.