A study found grasshoppers and silkworms have antioxidant capacity similar to fresh orange juice, while crickets offer 75% the same antioxidant power. Insects are a sustainable alternative to meat and animal products, with minimal land, water, and carbon footprint.
Researchers have discovered genetic evidence of chronic pain in Drosophila fruit flies, which may lead to new treatments targeting the underlying cause. The study found that an injury can lead to long-lasting hypersensitivity to normally non-painful stimuli, similar to human patients' experiences with neuropathic pain.
A radio-tracking study by University of Guelph biologists found that wind and temperature are more important influences than precipitation on daytime insect migration. The study revealed that insects can fly faster as it warms up, but flight is impeded when it gets too hot.
A new report highlights edible insects as a viable option for meeting growing global demand for food in a sustainable way. The benefits of increasing insect consumption have been explored, but technological and processing approaches are needed to overcome commercialization barriers.
Research found that female bedbugs can cleverly manage their immune systems in anticipation of mating-related infection, allowing them to resist traumatic insemination and improve reproductive success. This ability may also be shared by other insects and could help control bedbug populations.
Entomologists call for immediate science-based actions to mitigate insect decline worldwide. Insect diversity and ecosystem services require targeted legislation and public awareness.
Researchers have discovered that dung beetles use a wind compass and sun compass to navigate, switching between the two depending on the condition. The insects' brains adapt dynamically to the environment, allowing them to make informed decisions.
A University of Sussex mathematician has developed a chemical-free way to target parasitic nematode worms that destroy wheat crops. The breakthrough method uses biostimulants derived from naturally occurring soil bacteria to precisely kill the nematodes without harming other insects.
A research group has identified the gene responsible for the formation of nanopores in fruit flies, allowing them to detect chemicals in the air. The gore-tex gene plays a crucial role in envelope curvature and odor receptivity, essential functions for insects.
Scientists have discovered how key proteins produced in bacteria and insects can either promote or inhibit the formation of ice. The study reveals that these proteins can be designed to nucleate ice at specific temperatures, enabling more accurate weather forecasts and potentially solving water scarcity issues. This breakthrough has si...
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found that even tiny amounts of neonicotinoid pesticides can severely impact flying insects' motion detection abilities. The study's results suggest that very low doses of these widely-used neurotoxins can profoundly affect a flying insect's ability to detect movement, making it crucial for...
German scientists discovered two new species of rare giant stick insects in Madagascar's dry forests, with males exhibiting dazzling blue or multicolored armor. Genetic tests confirm the existence of two new species, challenging previous theories on stick insect evolution and raising questions about their reproductive strategies.
Virginia Tech researchers Margaret Couvillon and Roger Schürch have decoded the universal language of honey bees, allowing scientists to interpret the insects' sophisticated communications. By deciphering waggle dances, they hope to better understand pollinators' preferred forages and food sources.
In tropical rainforests, plants produce unique defense chemicals to evade insect-eating predators, promoting biodiversity. A study found that nine Inga tree species developed distinct defense strategies, leading to a diverse forest ecosystem.
International study finds sushi consumers willing to try crickets and beetles, gateway food theory holds true. Edible insect consumption linked to increased openness to new foods.
Researchers found nematodes produce distinctive chemical cues that deter Colorado potato beetles and make potato leaves less palatable. This could provide a natural alternative to chemical pesticides.
Scientists at The University of Toledo found that insects manipulate grape vines' reproductive programs to create a leaf gall, providing a protected space for the parasite. This discovery opens possibilities for protecting wine and raisin production from agricultural pests.
Researchers discovered that spittlebug nymphs use their foam bubbles to breathe, but only protrude their abdomens when startled. The insects can also consume oxygen within the larger bubble chamber during their final life stage.
Spotted lanternflies modify their diet and coloration to become distasteful and signal this to predators. The insects accumulate specific chemicals from tree juices, making them toxic to birds, which learn to avoid them based on their bright colors.
Researchers from Aarhus University discovered that insects leave tiny DNA traces on flowers they visit, revealing at least 135 different species of butterflies and insects. This eDNA method holds vast potential for tracking endangered pollinators and managing unwanted pest species.
A University of Oklahoma study found that insects not only crave salt but also search for it in their habitats. The researchers discovered that insects from 'bland to salty' grasslands were attracted to plots with simulated cow urine, indicating a preference for sodium.
Researchers found that insect-borne microbes often outperformed soil bacteria in stopping antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA. A new antibiotic, cyphomycin, was discovered from a Brazilian fungus-farming ant and showed effective antimicrobial action without toxic side effects.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland examines consumers' intentions to consume foods of insect origin among vegans, non-vegan vegetarians, and omnivores. Vegans held the most rigid negative attitude toward consuming foods of insect origin, while non-vegan vegetarians showed the most positive attitude towards eating insects.
University of Utah engineers create low-power sensors that can detect organic compounds emitted by corn plants when attacked by insects or weeds. These sensors will alert farmers to potential threats, potentially increasing crop yields and reducing damage to biomass production.
Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Pacific Biosciences successfully assembled the genetic code of a single Anopheles coluzzii mosquito, opening doors to understanding genetic diversity in insects. The breakthrough reduces DNA needed for genome sequencing by an order of magnitude, enabling studies on previously inaccessibl...
Researchers found that body-painting provides protection against bloodsucking insects, with white stripes repelling them more effectively. The discovery is based on experiments using plastic models and may have ancient origins, as similar markings were found on Neanderthal cave walls.
A study reveals that winged insects likely evolved from a ground-dwelling common ancestor with long antennae and segmented abdominal appendages. The findings suggest that wings did not evolve in aquatic environments, but rather for aerial descent, as the ancestral Pterygota species returned to life on the ground.
Researchers studied wild crickets for ten years and found that those who invested more in reproduction showed signs of aging, including reduced chirping and increased fighting losses. The study suggests that aging may be driven by energy allocation towards reproduction rather than decline, challenging the idea that aging is inevitable.
A novel 'palette effect' mechanism allows locusts to switch between green and black coloring in response to different environments. The discovery reveals a red pigment complex acts as a switch to coordinate the insects' color changes, providing an adaptive response to population density.
Scientists at UC San Diego developed a new method to control pest populations using precision-guided genetics, resulting in sterile male progeny with 100% efficiency. The 'precision-guided sterile insect technique' (pgSIT) can be applied to various insects, including disease-spreading mosquitoes.
Beetles have evolved a hard exoskeleton due to symbiotic bacteria producing tyrosine, essential for cuticle formation. This cooperation has contributed to the evolutionary success of beetles and their spread into new ecological niches.
Fossilized newborns and egg shells found together in 130-million-year-old Lebanese amber provide the first direct evidence of how tiny insects hatched in deep time. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of the hatching mechanism used by modern green lacewings.
New analysis reveals stick insects first dropped eggs while hiding in foliage, and geographically isolated populations are more likely to be related than those with similar features. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of these enigmatic creatures.
Researchers describe the full annual life cycle of a dragonfly in the Western hemisphere for the first time, using citizen science and chemical analysis. The common green darner migrates north in spring, south in fall, and has a wingspan of just 7.5 cm but covers an average of over 600 km.
Engineers at the University of Washington have developed a sensing system that can ride on top of a bumblebee, allowing for long-term data collection without power constraints. The system uses a tiny rechargeable battery and a receiver to triangulate the bee's position, enabling precise location tracking.
A recent study finds that introductory biology textbooks devote less than 1% of their text to discussing insects, despite them making up over 60% of animal species. This lack of coverage provides a poor foundation for understanding ecosystems and biodiversity.
A recent study of amber-preserved blood-sucking insects and ticks reveals that malaria-causing microorganisms date back at least 100 million years, with evidence of pathogens carried by ancient vectors found in fossilized amber from around the world.
A recent study has analyzed nearly 2,400 protein-coding genes to understand the family relationships and evolutionary history of Hemiptera insects. The findings reveal that piercing and sucking mouthparts likely evolved over 350 million years ago, providing insight into the group's diverse feeding strategies.
Researchers analyzed evolutionary relationships among hemipteroid insects, revealing diversification around the Carboniferous period. The placement of Psocodea in the tree remains unresolved.
A study by the University of Sheffield reveals that high levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution damage plant defenses, leading to poor growth in herbivorous insects. The research suggests that urban green spaces play a modest role in removing pollutants from the air.
A new study reveals that insects can transport pollen from one continent to another, enabling the mixing of plant species across vast distances. By analyzing the DNA sequences in this pollen, researchers were able to identify 157 species of plants from Africa and Europe.
Research detects 69 pharmaceutical compounds in stream insects, which can pass to predators in water and on land, exposing them to therapeutically-relevant doses. The study highlights the chronic drug pollution concentrated in aquatic insects and its potential ecological consequences.
Research finds that bigger stingless bee species can fly better in high-temperature conditions than smaller counterparts. This contradicts the well-established temperature-size rule, which predicts that ectotherms should be larger in cold climates and smaller in hot ones.
Researchers discovered that animals swish their tails to generate a curtain of breeze that wafts insects away. The study found that the animals were swinging their tails three times faster and using 27 times more energy than expected, but still only intercepted one insect every 90 seconds.
Scientists from Shinshu University have analyzed the genetic DNA of Stenopsyche caddisflies, a common Japanese insect delicacy. The study reveals that these insects originated in southern Asia and dispersed globally over millions of years.
A recent study found that marketing insect-based food as pleasurable and enjoyable is more effective in changing attitudes towards these foods. The research team asked participants to view advertisements highlighting either the environmental or health benefits of insect-based food, or those promoting its taste and luxury.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a technique to visualize the behavior of pesticides inside insect bodies, enabling them to follow their uptake, breakdown, and distribution. This method has potential applications for developing safer pesticides and reducing harm to beneficial pollinating insects.
New fossils of Mesozoic pollinating lacewings provide insight into the niche diversity, chemical communication, and defense mechanisms of ancient pollinators. The findings suggest that coevolution between pollinators and host plants under partitioned pollination niches promoted their species diversification.
A study has identified a single gene called insulin-like peptide 2 (ILP2) as the key determinant of queen and worker roles in ants. The gene is activated by better nutrition and stimulates ovaries to trigger reproduction, explaining the emergence of social behavior in insects.
A new study predicts that rising insect populations will lead to significant crop losses due to increased metabolic rates and population growth with temperature. Global yield losses for major crops are expected to increase by 10-25% per degree of surface warming, threatening the already fragile global food supply.
A new study projects a 50-100% increase in pest-induced crop losses in European wheat and 30-40% increases in North American maize, even with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Insect population growth is expected to be fueled by warmer temperatures, leading to significant pressure on grain producers.
Rising global temperatures will lead to increased pest pressure and crop losses, especially in temperate regions, with wheat, rice, and maize facing substantial declines. Crop losses are projected to rise by 10-25% per degree of warming, with the most severe impacts expected in countries like France and China.
Researchers have identified a key Sox gene that regulates segmentation during spider development, similar to its role in insects. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary secrets behind arthropod body formation.
A new study describes the structure of an ion channel responsible for detecting odors in insects, revealing how millions of receptor varieties evolved to accommodate diverse habitats. The discovery offers insights into insect olfaction and evolution, potentially leading to innovations for disease prevention and human benefit.
New study finds that 40% of plant material is removed by insects and fungi each year, supporting diverse communities of organisms. Contrary to expectations, plants don't face trade-offs in defending themselves against different consumers, with some species protected against everything and others devoured.
A new pilot clinical trial found that consuming crickets can help support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and reduce inflammation in the body. The study showed an increase in beneficial gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium animalis and a decrease in inflammatory proteins.
A genomic study reveals that insects' ability to detect airborne odors evolved long before wings and was an adaptation for terrestrial life. All insect species examined possess specialized odorant receptors, which were present at the beginning of insect evolution.
Researchers discovered that free-living insects can copy and inject plant hormones into leaves to increase nutrient content. This strategy is similar to endophytic insect species and could aid in developing effective pest management strategies.
The world's insectivorous birds consume a significant amount of energy annually, estimated to be comparable to that of the city of New York. Forest birds play a crucial role in suppressing pest insects, with their annual food intake being around three-quarters of the global prey biomass gathered by insectivorous birds.
Insectivorous birds consume between 400 and 500 million metric tonnes of insects per year, mainly beetles, flies, and other arthropods. This helps keep plant-eating insect populations under control, supporting forest ecosystems.