Neglected baby beetles evolve greater self-reliance
Researchers found that larvae without parental support evolved larger jaws to compensate for lack of help. This adaptation enables them to fend for themselves in case they receive no care.
Larvae
Articles tagged with Larvae
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Scientists search for coral's new home
Researchers are creating artificial structures to mimic natural surfaces for coral larvae to settle on. By understanding the interactions between larvae and materials, they aim to increase reef regeneration rates and combat coral bleaching. The project combines engineering and biological expertise to tackle this critical issue.
Beetle adapts chemical mimicry to parasitize different bee species
A beetle that tricks bees into carrying it into their nests has adapted its deceptions to local hosts, according to research. The larvae of the beetle lure male digger bees with chemical signals mimicking female sex pheromones, allowing them to feed on bee eggs and provisions.
Parasitic blister beetles tailor strategies to deceive hosts
Researchers found that geographically isolated populations of parasitic blister beetles use distinct adaptations to target different host bee species. The larvae emit chemical cues tailored to the pheromones of local hosts, attracting male bees and exploiting their nests.
A study of ants provides information on the evolution of social insects
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.
How the clownfish earned its stripes: Color pattern evolution in coral reef fishes
Researchers discovered that clownfish ancestors had three white stripes, which later evolved into different stripe patterns in individuals from various species. The study found that some species acquire more stripes as juveniles than they do as adults, and that a decrease in iridophores inhibits stripe formation.
New phase proposed in the relationship between figs and wasps
A new phase has been proposed in the relationship between figs and wasps, revealing a sixth developmental cycle where insects other than wasps can insert their eggs into figs. This finding highlights the complex mutualism between figs and wasps, which have evolved over 65 million years.
Amber unveils evolution of ancient antlions
Researchers found fossil Myrmeleontiformia fauna from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, shedding light on the ecological niche and lifestyle of extinct species. Statistical analysis showed a correlation between morphological traits and hunting strategies, including camouflaging and fossoriality.
Epigenetic patterns determine if honeybee larvae become queens or workers
Scientists have unraveled how changes in nutrition determine the development of honeybees into queens or workers. Epigenetic patterns, including histones, play a crucial role in controlling gene expression and developmental outcomes.
When confronted, a single neuron helps a fruit fly change course
A team of researchers from the University of Oregon has made a groundbreaking discovery about the neural circuitry that controls movement in fruit flies. By mapping the communications between a pair of brain neurons and motor neurons, they found that a single neuron can trigger both forward and backward motion.
Parasitic love vine tangles with gall wasps, sucking the life out of their young
A new interaction between plant and insect parasites is found when the two exist on a shared host. The parasite-leeches nutrients and moisture away from the wasp larvae developing in the tree, while also attacking unusual growths caused by the wasps. This discovery has implications for agriculture and medicine.
Play-Doh helps plant research
Researchers at the University of Delaware discovered that plants emit scent cues when under attack by insects, recruiting birds to provide a food source while defending crops. The study used Play-Doh larvae and dispensers to replicate plant volatiles, finding that birds were attracted to these cues more strongly than to a control measure.
Baby sea snails ride waves into shallower waters, study suggests
A Rutgers University-led study documents how baby sea snail larvae detect and respond to ocean turbulence and waves, improving their chances of survival. Climate change may impact the habitats of these larvae, potentially affecting their populations.
Ability to taste RNA speeds the growth and increases survival of fruit fly larvae
A recent study has discovered that fruit fly larvae possess novel taste receptors capable of detecting ribonucleosides, the building blocks of RNA. This ability significantly enhances their growth rate and survival, allowing them to increase their body weight by 200-fold in just a few days.
Mosquito populations give a new insight into the role of Caucasus in evolution
Researchers found unique chromosome rearrangements in mosquito larvae from the Caucasus region, indicating a complex genetic structure. The study suggests that the region's fauna has unified geographically but divided evolutionarily, with significant genetic distance between populations.
Research on pine sawflies sheds light on the evolution of cooperation
A study on pine sawfly larvae found that repeated participation in the common defence increases mortality and weakens ability to defend against predators and parasites. Larvae also paid a price for diet quality, growing slower and benefiting from not defending.
Researchers are first to sequence rare bacteria that causes rampant tooth decay
Fruit fly larvae can taste ribonucleosides, a key finding that provides insight into the development of tooth decay. The discovery reveals that Gr28 receptors in taste neurons play a crucial role in detecting these compounds, which are essential for larval growth and survival.
Ant study sheds light on the evolution of workers and queens
A new study sheds light on the evolution of workers and queens in ants by identifying a key gene involved in regulating reproduction. Researchers found that a gene coding for an insulin-like peptide, ILP2, promotes and suppresses reproduction in ants.
Worker bees select royal (sub)family members, not their own supersisters, to be new queens
A study published in PLOS Biology found that worker honey bees select royal subfamilies, not their own supersisters, to raise as emergency queens. This suggests that 'the good of the hive' overpowers individual genetic selfishness.
Study finds a pesticide-free way to combat mosquitos and West Nile
Researchers have discovered a pesticide-free way to limit mosquito populations by introducing hungry minnows into breeding areas. The study found that this method can reduce adult mosquito numbers capable of carrying the disease, providing a low-maintenance and cost-effective alternative.
Honeybees prioritize well-fed larvae for emergency queen-rearing
New research reveals that honeybees preferentially select larvae with optimal nutritional status for emergency queen rearing. The study found that worker bees can distinguish between hungry and well-fed larvae, resulting in a higher success rate for queen production when non-deprived larvae are selected.
Nanoplastics accumulate in marine organisms and may pose harm to aquatic food chains
Marine organisms easily ingest nanoplastics, which accumulate in their bodies over time, threatening food safety. Nanoplastics can transfer up the food chain, affecting human health, as shown in a recent study using acorn barnacles.
Raiding the rape field
Researchers found that incorporating flowering areas and agri-environmental schemes in agricultural landscapes increases predator species and individuals, leading to effective natural pest control. The distance between the flowering plot and the oilseed rape field is crucial for this effect.
100-million-year-old liverwort mimicry in insects
Researchers uncovered a new lacewing species with anatomical modifications mimicking coeval liverworts, demonstrating the first record of liverwort mimicry by fossil insects. The larvae's foliate lateral plates and unique morphological features aid their survival and likely enable stealthy hunting or ambush predation.
Baby fish led astray by high CO2 in oceans
Researchers found that baby fish are deterred by natural sounds in their habitats due to ocean acidification, and instead attracted to 'white noise' from irrelevant habitats. This could lead to smaller population sizes and impacts on commercial fisheries.
Herring larvae could benefit from an acidifying ocean
A long-term field study in a Swedish fjord found that herring larvae can survive and thrive in acidified seawater due to increased phytoplankton growth. However, this finding does not necessarily apply to other fish species, which may be negatively affected by ocean acidification.
Ocean acidification: Herring could benefit from an altered food chain
A new study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution suggests that herring larvae may survive better in a future acidified ocean due to an altered food supply. This unexpected result could have implications for the long-term survival of fish populations.
Bees: How royal jelly prevents royal offspring from falling out of their cells
Researchers discovered that the proteins in royal jelly, particularly MRJP1 and apisimin, create a fibre-like structure that makes it viscous enough to keep queen larvae in their cells. This property ensures the survival of bee colonies by preventing larvae from falling out and developing into queens.
How royal jelly helps honeybee larvae defy gravity and become queens
Research reveals that royal jelly's acidity changes its consistency, enabling it to cling to the ceiling of queen cells and support the growth of future queens. This property is essential for the survival of honeybees, as larvae destined to become queens need a stable environment to develop.
Crepidula onyx resilient towards microplastic diet
Researchers found Crepidula onyx snails unaffected by microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations, suggesting potential threat to other marine organisms. The study highlights the species' resilience and implies a need for further investigation into its coping mechanisms.
Double trouble: Invasive insect species overlooked as a result of a shared name
Researchers have uncovered two distinct moth species using leaf-mining moths that were previously misidentified due to their shared name. The corrected classification reveals that these insects expand their ranges differently, with one having a single annual generation and the other featuring multiple generations.
New parasitoid wasp likely uses unique saw-like spines to break out of its host body
Researchers studying a new species of parasitoid wasp discovered it has a unique saw-like spine structure that allows it to break free from its host. The wasp, Dendrocerus scutellaris, is likely an endoparasitoid, feeding on live insects.
Sowing corals: A new approach paves the way for large-scale coral reef restoration
Researchers have developed a new sowing approach for coral reef restoration, allowing for the handling of large numbers of corals in a short amount of time at significantly lower costs. The approach minimizes costs and time required for outplanting corals by settling larvae on specifically designed substrates.
Making larvae count
Researchers used genetic barcoding to identify and quantify fish larvae in a coral reef ecosystem, revealing species distribution and dispersal patterns. The study solved several mysteries, including the invasion of a puffer fish into the Mediterranean, and provided new insights into the ecology of the reefs.
Finding a lethal parasite's vulnerabilities
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has discovered a molecule that can suppress the lethal form of infection in a mouse model of Strongyloides stercoralis. By using this molecule, they were able to prevent the formation of larvae that trigger a persistent cycle of infection in the host.
Wound healing or regeneration -- the environment decides?
Researchers have found that comb jellyfish can adjust their regeneration mechanisms based on environmental nutrients. In nutrient-rich environments, the larvae can fully regenerate, while in areas with fewer nutrients, they survive but cannot fully heal.
Resilience of Great Barrier Reef offers opportunities for regeneration
Researchers identified 100 undisturbed reefs with potential to provide coral larvae to damaged areas, promoting regional recovery. Effective local protection is crucial to support this ecosystem's resilience.
Ocean acidification affects mussels at early life stages
Mussel larvae are sensitive to ocean acidification due to their high calcification rate and limited ion regulation capacity. Researchers found that larvae can increase pH and carbonate concentration below the shell to promote calcification, but this is reduced by increasing acidification
Electron microscopy uncovers unexpected connections in fruit fly brain
Researchers have discovered new neural connections in a critical brain region of the fruit fly, challenging existing maps and highlighting the need for detailed brain mapping. High-resolution electron microscopy has revealed these unexpected synapses, which may be crucial for learning and memory.
Habitat restoration can maximize the benefits of marine protected areas
Research finds that restored, protected reefs have significantly higher oyster densities and larval output compared to harvested reefs. Additionally, restored harvested reefs show increased larval recruitment, implying a valuable spillover effect from reserves to surrounding areas.
Knowledge of larval fish just a drop in the ocean
A year-long survey of Red Sea fish larvae found varying stock levels through the seasons, with higher abundance at near-shore sites during colder months. The study also identified differences in community structure, with deeper-adapted species prevalent at offshore sites.
A new potential alternative to mosquito control discovered
Researchers have found that essential oils extracted from citrus fruit peels are highly effective in killing mosquito larvae, suggesting a potential eco-friendly alternative for mosquito control programs. The study, believed to be the first of its kind, uses three citrus species and has shown promising results.
Warm Northwest waters draw spawning fish north
Scientists found anchovies and sardines spawning earlier and longer in Northwest waters due to unusually warm ocean conditions. This change may have unforeseen consequences on the food web, including competing with other species for food.
Protected waters foster resurgence of West Coast rockfish
A new study finds that protected waters have fostered a resurgence of West Coast rockfish, with larvae increasing in number within conservation areas. The research suggests that these areas can seed surrounding waters with offspring, supporting the long-term recovery of the species.
Gut microbiota of larvae has an impact on mosquito's ability to transmit human pathogens
Researchers found that bacterial exposure during larval development affects adult mosquito traits, including speed of development, size, immune activity, and susceptibility to dengue virus. This discovery highlights the importance of larval ecology in transmitting mosquito-borne pathogens.
An overlooked and rare new gall-inducing micromoth from Brazil
A new species of primitive monotrysian micromoth, Cecidonius pampeanus, has been discovered in Brazil, inducing noticeable galls on the Uruguayan pepper tree. The larvae's low survival rate and lack of gene flow amongst populations threaten their extinction.
Cross-kingdom regulation of honeybee caste development by dietary plant miRNAs
Plant miRNAs in beebread/pollen delay honeybee caste differentiation and keep ovaries inactive, inducing sterile worker bees. This study reveals a new mechanism for RNA regulation in insect development.
Honeybees become workers or queens depending on the plant microRNAs in their diet
Researchers found that honeybees fed plant microRNA supplements developed more slowly and had smaller bodies than those not receiving the supplements. The study reveals a previously unknown function of plant microRNAs in fine-tuning larval development.
Beetle's best friend: Trained dogs most efficient in monitoring hermit beetle larvae
Scientists have found that trained dogs are more successful in detecting hermit beetle larvae than traditional methods. Using trained dogs can locate new populations, confirm the presence of target species, and map colonized trees accurately and efficiently.
Plant 'smells' insect foe, initiates defense
A team of researchers found that goldenrod plants can detect a specific chemical compound emitted by gall-inducing flies, triggering a defense response. The plants respond strongly to E,S-conophthorin, a blend of chemicals that attracts females and fertilizes eggs.
Zebrafish larvae could be used as 'avatars' to optimize personalized treatment of cancer
Researchers develop model using zebrafish larvae to predict personalized treatment of cancer, offering faster and safer option than current methods. The study confirms that zebrafish and mice react similarly to treatments, enabling timely answers in under two weeks.
Mapping the brain, neuron by neuron
Researchers create complete map of fruit fly larva brain's learning center, a crucial step towards understanding animal brains. The project could guide scientists in charting connections among neurons in mammals' brains.
Researchers want to know how early life affects the adult brain
Researchers studied zebrafish to understand how early life affects brain development and behavior in adults, finding that visual environment influences spontaneous brain activity. Dark rearing also reduced the larvae's ability to catch prey, suggesting environmental input impacts brain wiring and behavior.
New study challenges prevailing theory about how deep-sea vents are colonized
A new study reveals that neighboring deep-sea vents host drastically different animal communities, contradicting the common assumption that similar habitats share animal species. The research highlights the significance of local geology and vent fluid chemistry in shaping these communities.
Citizen science brings monarch butterfly parasitoids to light
A collaborative effort between citizen volunteers and researchers has led to the identification of seven fly species that parasitize monarch butterfly caterpillars. The study found that 9.8% of monitored monarchs were parasitized, with Lespesia archippivora being the most abundant species.
Common artificial sweetener likely a safe, effective birth control and pesticide
A study by Drexel University researchers found that erythritol, an artificial sweetener, can halt egg production and kill larvae in flies, making it a potential insect control method. The compound was tested on fruit flies and showed significant reduction in egg-laying and larval survival.
Crazy for ant eggs
Scientists at Kyoto University discovered that yellow crazy ant workers produce two types of egg: reproductive and nutritional. The latter variety is fed to larvae and also used as a supplement for queens and other castes.
Regular coral larvae supply from neighboring reefs helps degraded reefs recover
A new study reveals that a consistent supply of coral larvae from neighboring healthy reefs is crucial for the recovery of degraded reefs. This allows corals to colonize in groups and thrive in areas with low seaweed abundances and cryptic spaces.
Travel distances of juvenile fish key to better conservation
Scientists have measured dispersal distances of two coral reef fish species, revealing that juvenile clownfish stay relatively close to home (10-15 km), while butterflyfish disperse further (43-64 km). The study informs optimal sizing and spacing of marine reserves, with implications for conservation and fisheries management.
Beware of parasites in raw/undercooked fish, warn doctors
A growing number of cases in Western countries have been linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked fish, specifically sushi. Anisakiasis is caused by eating infected fish and can lead to symptoms such as upper gut pain, vomiting, fever, bowel obstruction, and bleeding.