Articles tagged with Beetles
Research found tree plantations host significantly fewer beetle species, contributing to lower biodiversity compared to old-growth forests. Plantations' limited ability to support diverse food chains makes them less effective for forest conservation.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a better way to target and eliminate beetles using eco-friendly methods. The study found that beetles regulate their kidney function in a unique way, which can be exploited to disrupt their fluid balance without harming other insects.
Researchers uncover a new fossil beetle species from mid-Cretaceous amber, shedding light on the earliest pollinators of flowering plants. The discovery shows that short-winged flower beetles visited angiosperms in the Cretaceous, leading to a direct link between early flowering plants and their insect visitors.
A Cretaceous beetle fossil, named Pelretes vivificus, has been found to have fed on pollen from early flowering plants, providing conclusive evidence of the intimate association between ancient pollinators and angiosperms. The discovery sheds light on the origin of this mutualistic relationship.
Researchers designed and tested 3D printed beetle models to study mate choice in insects. The results show that the models are effective in simulating real behavior, with males preferring chemical signals and color cues over 2D counterparts.
A recent study found that beetle outbreaks have impacted around 40% of Colorado's forests, but the effects vary greatly due to differences in forest structures and species composition. Most affected areas still have mature trees capable of regenerating seeds.
As US winters warm, tropical plants and animals are expanding their ranges northward, altering ecosystems and posing risks to human health. The study found that insects, fish, reptiles, and mammals are among the species adapting to warmer temperatures, while others may be less welcome, such as invasive Burmese pythons.
A study published in BioRisk reveals that citizen scientists have significantly improved knowledge of the non-native Asian bamboo longhorn beetle in Europe. The researchers, led by University of Hamburg, collected data from citizen science platforms and confirmed 13 new introductions of the species in Europe, a 42% increase in records.
Researchers at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun have developed a new type of membrane using the desert beetle's armor structure, which is both hydrophobic and hydrophilic. The membranes can efficiently separate water from salt and other impurities, with potential applications in desalination and purification.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that the circadian rhythms of Japanese red flour beetles vary geographically, with weaker rhythmic amplitudes at higher latitudes. The researchers collected beetles from 37 rice mills across Japan and found no variation in rhythm period with latitude or longitude.
Researchers have identified 73 different receptors in the antennae of the Eurasian spruce bark beetle, enabling characterization of its pheromone response. This discovery could lead to more effective and environmentally friendly pesticides and bark beetle traps.
A new study finds that severe spruce beetle outbreaks followed by wildfires can lead to permanent damage in high-elevation forests. Aspen trees, however, have a higher chance of regrowing from their root systems and may dominate these forests.
In a recent study, scientists from Okayama University found that male G. cornutus beetles adopt different survival strategies depending on the size of their mandibles. Males with larger mandibles were more prone to exhibit tonic immobility when stimulated, while smaller mandibles were associated with escape behavior.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers reveals that clicking beetles use a unique hinge-like tool in their thorax to generate extreme accelerations, reaching 300 times the Earth's gravitational acceleration. The snap-through unbending motion enables the beetle to launch itself into the air and move quickly between locations.
High-speed X-ray imaging reveals click beetles can perform extreme movements by releasing stored energy quickly, supporting the idea of a distributed spring mechanism. Understanding this dynamics could inform development of insect-inspired robots.
Researchers studied the forces behind click beetles' signature clicking maneuver, discovering that they utilize snap-buckling and elastic recoil to release energy. The study provides insights into extreme motion, energy storage, and release in small animals like trap-jaw ants and mantis shrimps.
A study by University of Vermont researchers reveals that Colorado potato beetles develop resistance to pesticides through epigenetic changes, which can be passed on to descendants across at least two generations. These changes allow the beetles to rapidly adapt to new pesticides without requiring genetic mutations.
A team of NYUAD researchers has conducted a comprehensive review of bioluminescence in beetles, including fireflies, identifying structural factors that govern light emission colors. This study may lead to the development of new bioanalytical tools for early disease diagnosis and cancer treatment.
The study reveals that fertile female helper beetles reproduce alongside their mother, the colony foundress, while non-fertile females focus on caring for the brood and fungus. A specialized fungus in the genus Raffaelea is the primary food source for larvae.
Researchers have discovered a highly developed social system in the sugarcane shot-hole borer beetle, where females can reproduce and help with caring for fungal cultures. The beetles' cooperative brood care is rare in nature and may provide insights into the evolution of sociality.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen found that beetle larvae start using their brains before they are fully formed, defying conventional wisdom on insect intelligence. The study revealed that key parts of the brain's central complex are active in the larva, allowing it to orient itself in its environment.
The diabolical ironclad beetle's super-toughness lies in its armorlike elytra and connective suture, which distribute force evenly throughout the body. Engineers are developing new materials inspired by this strategy to make machinery safer and longer-lasting.
The diabolical ironclad beetle's survival depends on its ability to convincingly play dead and an exoskeleton with a tough, crush-resistant structure. Researchers found that the beetle's elytra consists of layers of chitin and protein matrix, which contribute to its enhanced toughness.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led research confirms that competition between species slows their expansion into new territories over multiple generations. The study uses tiny flour beetles as a model organism to show how interspecies competition puts certain species at greater risk of extinction.
Researchers found significant increases in floral abundance and wild bee diversity in spruce beetle-affected forests, compared to similar, undisturbed forests. This is good news for wild bee communities, which have been declining in recent years.
A research team led by the University of Bonn has reconstructed four newly found beetle species using computer tomography, providing insights into their morphology and evolutionary history. The study suggests that beetles suffered a decrease in diversity during the Cretaceous period as plants transitioned from gymnosperms to angiosperms.
Research suggests leaving up to 75% of naturally disturbed forest areas unlogged preserves 90% of original species richness. This guideline can help promote biodiversity in affected habitats.
The coconut rhinoceros beetle has shifted its host from coconut trees to Guam's endangered native cycad tree, Cycas microneica, due to the availability of large doses of starch in the cycad stems. This opportunistic host shift is threatening the local extinction of the region's only native gymnosperm.
A new study demonstrates how species cooperation influences vulnerability to climate change. Some species can maximize their fitness by working together in suboptimal environments, but this also makes them more susceptible to habitat destruction.
Researchers discovered that cooperative species can maximize their fitness at suboptimal temperatures by working together, but this cooperation comes with a cost: increased vulnerability to habitat destruction. The study used the Asian burying beetle as a model organism and found that cooperative groups had an optimal breeding temperat...
Researchers found that aquatic beetle Regimbartia attenuata can actively escape from the vent of frog Pelophylax nigromaculatus via its digestive system. The beetle promotes frog excretion to facilitate its escape, and this behavior was observed in four other frog species.
A new species of darkling beetle larvae discovered in East Asia can degrade polystyrene, a material notoriously difficult to decompose. The larvae's unique gut flora contains a simple group of bacterial species that oxidize and change the surface property of polystyrene.
A new study by University of Alberta biologists found that female mountain pine beetles use different strategies to find success, regardless of distance traveled. Those flying longer distances tend to lose weight but produce more pheromone, increasing their chances of attracting fellow beetles.
The team developed a low-power, low-weight wireless camera system that can capture first-person views from live insects or small robots. The camera uses a mechanical arm to pivot 60 degrees, allowing for wide-angle views without consuming excessive power.
A University of Kansas undergraduate majoring in ecology & evolutionary biology, Rachel Smith, has published a description of 18 new species of aquatic water beetles from the genus Chasmogenus. The research involved fieldwork and lab work to identify key differences in DNA evidence and internal anatomy.
A new study found that enforced monogamy creates populations less resilient to environmental stress, while polyandrous mating patterns improve genetic quality. This could help with conservation management and breeding in captivity for endangered species.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology reveal how bombardier beetles biosynthesize chemicals to create fuel for their explosions. The study shows the beetles' biochemistry is intricate, with toxic chemicals derived from coal tar and benzene-like compounds metabolized from hydroquinone.
A new photonic film inspired by fluffs on the longicorn beetle can reflect up to 95% of incoming solar radiation and emit infrared energy, achieving up to 5.1° C of passive cooling in direct sunlight. The film's efficiency is a breakthrough for efficient passive radiative cooling applications.
Reed beetles form symbiotic relationships with bacteria that provide essential amino acids, vitamins, and enzymes to support larval development. Adult beetles also rely on these microbes for pectin breakdown, which enables them to access nutrient-rich plant sources.
The red palm weevil has been confirmed on Socotra Island, Yemen, putting the livelihoods of residents at risk due to its devastating impact on date crops. The pest is considered one of the most problematic pests of date palms in the world, with potential economic losses estimated to range from $5.18 to $25.92 million.
The University of Guam has received a $240,000 grant to introduce an insect disease caused by OrNV to control the coconut rhinoceros beetle population on Guam. Two strains of OrNV have been found to be effective in controlling the biotype CRB-G, causing significant damage on the island.
An international team of scientists has identified candidate resistance genes that could protect ash trees from the EAB, a deadly pest expected to kill billions of trees. Researchers sequenced the genomes of 22 species of ash tree and found 53 candidate resistance genes involved in making chemicals harmful to insects.
A parasitic wasp species has been discovered that can control a major pest affecting oilseed rape crops. The wasp, Microctonus brassicae, lays eggs within the beetle's body, rendering it sterile and causing its death.
The larvae of beetle genus Toramus attach their exuviae to the distal abdomen and retain them throughout development. This unique behavior may serve as a form of autotomy, allowing predators to remove exuviae without harming the larva. However, further studies are needed to confirm its defensive function.
A study suggests a species of beetle could help control an invasive weed at the root of many people's suffering from seasonal allergies. Biological control may reduce the number of people affected by ragweed pollen and associated health costs in Europe.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that a leaf beetle can significantly reduce pollen from common ragweed, benefiting over 2 million allergy sufferers in Europe. The research also estimates the economic benefits of biological control in Europe, suggesting countries in the Balkan Peninsula will benefit most.
Scientists have found a second specimen of the rare South American ground beetle Nototylus balli, revealing probable antennal grooming organs. These structures are slender, flexible, and shape suggests they apply substances to antennae, likely for symbiotic relationships with ants or termites.
Researchers discovered four new beetle species in 99 million-year-old amber fossils from Myanmar, which helped flowering plants spread and benefited the beetles. The beetles' adaptability allowed them to form a mutually beneficial symbiosis with the emerging angiosperms.
A study by University of Sussex researchers found that common anti-parasite treatments for cattle have devastating impacts on dung beetles, key prey items for various bird and bat species. The treatments, which are widely used and available without veterinary oversight, can attract adult beetles and impair their larvae's development.
Researchers found that younger females adapt their reproductive strategy based on the size of the carcass available, while older females consistently put high effort into reproduction. This age-dependent plasticity in parental care allows younger beetles to conserve resources for future reproductive opportunities.
Larvae of horseradish flea beetles use glucosinolates to fend off predators, but pupae lack this chemical protection. The beetle's mustard oil bomb is crucial for defense, particularly in larvae that store glucosinolates.
A team of scientists studied the jumping mechanism in flea beetles and discovered a highly efficient 'catapult' that can propel the beetle hundreds of times its body length. The research revealed two processes that amplify power output and reduce energy waste, enabling the beetles to perform over 30 consecutive jumps.
New research found that high-elevation forests in Colorado's southern Rocky Mountains have a good chance of recovery after overlapping bark beetle outbreaks. However, foraging elk and deer are slowing the process by browsing smaller trees and stunting their growth.
A recent study has found that intense droughts and wildfires during the last El Niño climate phenomenon, combined with human disturbance, led to a significant decline in dung beetle numbers. The beetles, which play a crucial role in spreading nutrients and seeds, fell by more than half and took at least two years to recover.
Researchers found that jewel beetles' bright colors can act as a form of camouflage, outperforming dull-colored counterparts in detection avoidance. The ability to remain hidden became even more pronounced when the iridescent wing cases were placed against a glossy leaf background.
A new study reveals iridescence can act as highly-effective camouflage, increasing prey survival and explaining its evolution in many animal species. Researchers found that iridescent beetle models survived best against bird attacks, suggesting a clever strategy to confuse predators.
Researchers examined sibling rivalry and cooperation in burying beetles, finding that full parental care leads to competition while no parental care fosters cooperation. The study suggests a link between parental care and the evolution of these behaviors.
A team of scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University discovered that a specific insulin-like peptide called ILP2 regulates the size of mandibles in broad-horned flour beetles. The study found that larvae fed sufficiently, showed elevated expression of ILP2, leading to larger mandibles.
A new study reveals that dung beetles' thoracic horns are built by the same gene network as wings, pushing traditional ideas about novelty. The researchers knocked down genes in the wing gene network and found that it also controlled horn formation.
Researchers reconstructed the beetle family tree, estimating timing and rates of diversification. Beetle genes facilitating herbivory were acquired through horizontal transfer from fungi and bacteria, enabling adaptability to flowering plants.