Articles tagged with Beetles
A new mid-Cretaceous boganiid beetle with specialized pollen feeding adaptations has been discovered, suggesting an ancient origin for beetle pollination of cycads. The fossil provides early definitive evidence for cycad-insect interactions, illuminating the history of complex entomophily in cycads.
A new species of round fungus beetle was discovered in Malaysian Borneo with remarkably long genitalia. The species was named after actress and biologist Isabella Rossellini due to its unique reproductive characteristics, showcasing an evolutionary 'sexual arms race' between males and females.
Researchers discovered that bacteria associated with beetles can produce an antifungal substance similar to one found in marine tunicates. The commonality is likely due to lateral gene transfer between unrelated microorganisms. This finding highlights the potential of defensive symbionts for innovation and human use.
The KAIST research group created photonic capsules that can be injected into any target volume, exhibiting omnidirectional laser emissions. The capsules contain cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) with helical nanostructures, which reflect circularly-polarized light and enable wavelength-tunable lasing.
A new study confirms that increasing winter temperatures allow beetles to expand their range, but also reveals that overcrowding can limit population growth. Resource competition is a stronger factor than cold temperatures in beetle mortality.
Scientists have discovered a 99-million-year-old featherwing beetle preserved in amber, named 'Jason'. The beetle has been found to have unique features not seen in modern featherwings, but also shares many similarities with its living relatives.
A team of researchers studied the narrow-footed Hygrotus diving beetle native only to central Wyoming, discovering its unique habitat in small streams with high salt concentrations. The study found that maintaining hydrologic integrity of prairie streams is vital for the conservation of this rare species.
Research from Dartmouth College shows that cooler weather can increase the lethality of southern pine beetles' attacks on trees. The study demonstrates how climate change creates a destructive one-two punch for forests, with warmer temperatures leading to synchronized emergence of adult beetles and increased population density.
Researchers found that bumblebees have difficulty discriminating between flower shapes when they are iridescent. This is because the changing colors create a visual signal that confuses potential predators and makes it hard for them to identify edible prey.
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.
In a study on red flour beetles, researchers found that males were more likely to mate with other males when there was less pressure to find a female mate. In contrast, in populations with high female bias, male beetles lost their ability to discriminate between male and female mates.
A newly discovered water beetle was given the name Grouvellinus leonardodicaprioi in honor of Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental work. The beetle was found by citizen scientists during a Taxon Expedition in Malaysian Borneo, with the expedition marking the 20th anniversary of DiCaprio's foundation.
Researchers found that pure conifer stands, particularly pine-dominated areas, were more susceptible to southern pine beetle infestations. The study's findings have important implications for forest management, suggesting that preventative treatments like thinning can be effective in newly-occupied northern ranges.
Researchers investigated the role of alcohol in ambrosia beetles' fungal farming, finding that increased enzyme activity allows optimal fungus growth in alcohol-rich wood. The beetles' sophisticated social care system ensures optimal symbiosis between beetle and fungus.
Researchers have found that a synthetic pheromone can lure beetles to concentrate on tamarisk bushes, doubling the die-back of the plants. This method is more precise and lower-cost than traditional methods like herbicides and mechanical removal.
A study of beetles shows that those with physical impairments spend more time feeding their young, sacrificing resources to care for their offspring. The researchers suggest that the insects may respond by expecting not to breed again and expending more resources to guarantee their young's survival.
Researchers have uncovered previously unknown reservoirs of trans-verbenol in juvenile mountain pine beetles, which could aid in predicting outbreaks. The study found that female beetles accumulate and store the pheromone during their larval and pupal stages.
Researchers have discovered biochemical mechanisms that help female beetles produce the aggregation pheromone trans-verbenol in response to juvenile hormone III. This finding may improve forecasting of bark beetle outbreaks by understanding how these insects communicate and colonize pine trees.
A team of scientists at the University of Cambridge has created a super-thin, non-toxic, lightweight, edible ultra-white coating that mimics the structure of beetle scales. The material scatters light extremely efficiently, producing bright white colours without the need for pigments.
Prof Alba-Tercedor collaborated with BUF to create high-resolution microtomography images of tropical longhorn beetle species and darkling beetle Zophobas morio, used in the film's photorealistic models. The results demonstrate microtomography's value for reconstructing tiny animals' microscopic structural details.
The Australian fire beetle uses its heat sensors to detect hot spots and avoid them when approaching a freshly burnt branch. The IR organs are relatively insensitive, and the beetles seem to rely on their sense of smell to detect forest fires.
The Colorado potato beetle's genome provides insights into its ability to rapidly develop resistance to insecticides and spread to new climates. Researchers have discovered genes that enable the beetle to thrive on different plant hosts and tolerate toxins, but not new genes explaining rapid pesticide evolution.
Climate change is affecting the size of organisms, including British Columbia beetles. Larger beetle species have shrunk by up to 20% in the last 45 years due to warmer temperatures.
A field course organized by Taxon Expeditions led to the discovery of six new beetle species in Maliau Basin, Malaysian Borneo. The citizen scientists employed the Winkler extraction method to collect and identify the insects, with three new species published in the Biodiversity Data Journal.
A study by Yale-NUS College Postdoctoral Fellow Eunice Tan found that beetle color patterns are similar to host plants, suggesting camouflage rather than warning signals. The research challenged the prevailing theory among coleopterists and highlights the complexity of natural selection in leaf beetles.
A leaf-eating beetle has evolved a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that allows it to break down pectin, a plant cell wall component. The bacterium, which has a tiny genome, has the power to degrade pectin, enabling the beetle's digestive system to access nutrients.
A bacterium in a species of leaf beetles provides the beetle with enzymes required to break down certain plant cell wall components. The symbiotic bacteria reside in special organs near the gut and have the smallest genome ever sequenced outside a host cell.
A set of fundamental tactics can be used to combat the challenges brought on by pests in rapidly changing forests. Eight general tactics for improved pest management include growth of practical theory, improved biosecurity, and management plans that anticipate continuing change.
Researchers successfully created a fully functional extra eye in the center of a beetle's head using a simple genetic tool. The study provides new insights into how developmental processes reorganize to create novel complex traits, and could help address fundamental questions in development, evolution, and medicine.
Digger wasps have species-specific hydrocarbon profiles that vary according to their prey and brood-care strategy. Beetle-hunting digger wasps have more diversified profiles due to reduced need for prey preservation. The unique films are also used for defense against parasites.
A new algorithm-based technique predicts potential plant disease hotspots by analyzing pest-host interactions and geographical distribution of vulnerable plants. This can help governments anticipate outbreaks and prevent biological invasions.
A recent study by Lancaster University found that logging in tropical forests can have negative impacts on biodiversity, even when done sustainably. The research looked at the impact of logging on forest dung beetles and found that low levels of logging led to a decline in species diversity and rates of soil removal.
Researchers have identified two species of diving beetles in European streams, challenging long-held assumptions about a single common species. The new species, Meladema lepidoptera, is found only in Corsica and Sardinia, with genetic data suggesting it diverged from the other species around 1.5 million years ago.
A recent study has found that tropical high-altitude beetles are at risk of extinction due to climate change. The research, conducted in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, revealed that two plant-eating beetle groups - weevils and leaf beetles - are highly specialised to high altitudes and may disappear in a warmer world.
A new study reveals that the Malagasy striped whirligig beetle is an ultra-rare survivor with a genetic pedigree dating back at least 206 million years to the late Triassic period. The beetle's isolated location in Madagascar may have allowed it to persist, and it now thrives in marginal environments.
Researchers have developed a self-righting robot inspired by the legless jumping mechanism of click beetles. The beetle's unique hinge-like structure allows it to flip back onto its feet after being knocked over, and the researchers aim to integrate this mechanism into their robot prototypes.
Researchers developed verified guidelines for monitoring 5 saproxylic beetle species in Europe, utilizing citizen scientists' data collection. The project also found that children's participation in environmental education programs positively impacts their attitude towards nature.
A new study predicts that global warming will extend the range of the southern pine beetle, a tree-killing insect, through much of the northern US and southern Canada. The beetle's spread is threatened by rising winter temperatures, which could lead to loss of biodiversity, iconic forests, and damage to tourism and forestry industries.
A collection of thirteen research papers addresses conservation strategies for elusive invertebrates in the European Union. Monitoring saproxylic beetles is feasible, and Citizen Science increases public awareness about Natura 2000 and saproxylic species in forests.
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.
Researchers used synchrotron microtomography to analyze fossilized feces, providing clues on ancient food webs and ecosystems. The study reveals delicate remains of beetles and fish in coprolites from the Upper Triassic bone beds in Poland.
A new proposal defines subspecies based on a potentially incipient new species, heritable trait, and geographic isolation. The concept of subspecies has been contentious, but the newly proposed definition aims to simplify its recognition.
The discovery of two new beetle genera and four new species from the Australopacific Region highlights the diversity of saprinine hister beetles. The newly described insects feature interesting morphologies and ecologies, with some species dependent on ants or termites for survival.
An interdisciplinary team developed a novel method to scan the internal development of live insects using carbon dioxide-induced suspended animation. The technique allows for detailed, three-dimensional views of insect innards without harming them.
Researchers found that even a tiny dose of pesticide can impair leaf beetles' ability to reproduce, with females developing malformations and offspring laying fewer eggs. The study's results may also be transferred to other insects, highlighting the need for long-term consideration in herbicide authorization.
Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena reconstructed a 300 million-year-old beetle from Australia, shedding new light on the earliest developments in beetles. The 'Bad Boy' exhibits an unorthodox mix of ancestral and modern characteristics, challenging traditional beetle classification.
Research reveals bark beetles create roosting and foraging opportunities for protected bat species like Barbastella barbastellus. The findings have important implications for forest conservation, highlighting the need to reassess standard management practices.
A new study by University of Montana scientists found that slow-growing ponderosa pines have a greater chance of survival during mountain pine beetle outbreaks, contradicting previous findings. The research suggests that fast growth may be costly and is often detrimental to tree survival in such scenarios.
Researchers found that the golden appearance is due to high reflectiveness of the exoskeleton and manipulation of polarisation. The nano-structured exoskeleton contains intricate structures that produce circularly-polarised light, explaining the bright reflection and golden colour.
Scientists have developed a new, inexpensive technique to create color-shifting nanoparticles inspired by beetle shells. The method produces tiny particles that can be easily controlled, enabling adjustable colors within materials or fabrics. This breakthrough could lead to the production of easier-to-read sensors and anti-tampering tags.
A new study uses synchrotron tomography to create high-quality 3D models of well-preserved food residues in 230 million-year-old fossil faeces. The technique reveals detailed information about the diet and lifestyle of ancient animals, providing insights into the ecosystem.
Research on La Brea Tar Pits fossils suggests LA's climate has remained relatively stable for 50,000 years. The study analyzed ground and darkling beetle fossils using radiocarbon dating, revealing three semi-continuous age ranges that indicate a warmer and drier climate similar to today.
Researchers discovered a bacterium that produces antibiotics to protect beetle eggs from fungal infections. The bacteria also can harm plants when transferred, highlighting the complex relationships between microbes and their hosts.
Fossils of ancient termite-loving rove beetles, named Cretotrichopsenius burmiticus, reveal that ancient termite societies were quickly invaded by beetles about 99 million years ago. The discovery pushes back the fossil record of termitophiles by 80 million years.
Researchers found that Sapporo mai-mai snails live longer in trees due to fewer predators and better food sources. Tree-dwelling snails also eat epiphytic lichens and mosses, unlike ground-dwelling counterparts.
A team of scientists has discovered intact mushroom and mycophagous rove beetles in 99-million-year-old Burmese amber, shedding light on the early evolution of fungi. The findings suggest a long-term evolutionary stasis of body form for at least 99 million years.
This study reveals that rove beetles have evolved into army ant parasites multiple times, mimicking the ants' behavior and pheromone chemistry to gain acceptance. The discovery challenges Gould's hypothesis of convergent evolution, suggesting a predictable path for the interaction between these organisms.
Scientists discovered a highly specialized beetle from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, revealing morphological traits for capturing springtails. This finding pushes back the age of such predation by at least 54 million years, providing new insights into Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems.
A Nagoya University-led international research team has identified genes controlling the development of enlarged mandibles in stag beetles, a key factor in insect diversity. The study found that genes such as dac, aristaless, and homothorax play important roles in mandible development.
A recent study by Indiana University researchers found that the master gene doublesex plays a complex role in controlling the expression of physical differences between males and females. The study reveals new details about how this gene influences traits such as genitalia, brain development, and ornamentation.