Articles tagged with Beetles
Researchers discovered that bags of potting soil on Guam's island are a breeding ground for invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles. The beetles spread through holes in plastic bags, which customers unknowingly bring home for their gardens.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii are using acoustics to understand and track the movement of the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. By analyzing the beetle's chirp signatures, they hope to develop a new method for tracking and mitigating its impact on Hawaii's palm trees.
The discovery of Ball's Antarctic Tundra Beetle sheds light on Antarctica's ancient insect fauna. The new species is the second known beetle for the continent with living descendants, and its presence confirms that tundra ecosystems persisted in Antarctica for millions of years.
A foreign beetle species, Ocypus nitens, has been detected in Ontario, Canada, and Vermont, USA, through citizen science efforts. The rove beetle was identified using digital photographs from the BugGuide online portal.
Scientists found that dung beetles can reduce the survival of parasites in cowpats, which cause serious illness in cattle. The study suggested that dung beetle activity helps ventilate cow pats, creating conditions for parasite egg hatching.
Researchers found two snail species in Japan and Russia that use their shells to hit and knock over carabid beetles. This active defense strategy is unique and suggests the importance of predator-prey interactions in animal evolution.
Researchers sequenced the Asian longhorned beetle's genome to understand how it feeds on tree tissues and detoxifies plant chemicals. The study revealed genes that enable the beetle to degrade plant defenses, allowing it to thrive as a pest in Switzerland.
The study identified a suite of genes in the Asian long-horned beetle that aid digestion of woody plant material and detoxify plant chemicals. This research has established a genomic basis for the invasiveness of the species, providing potential tools for management of invasive wood-boring pests.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that large fires create a diverse landscape, making it difficult for bark beetles to launch widespread attacks. This variability protects forests from future outbreaks, as trees take decades to reach their preferred size.
A new study reveals that certain beetles, such as hidden-snout and toe-winged beetles, were pollinating orchids 20 million years ago. This discovery suggests that these beetles may have played a more significant role in orchid reproduction than previously thought.
Researchers have discovered a novel trait evolution mechanism by studying cyclops-eyed beetles, which recruited existing genes to create new physical traits in adulthood. The study reveals that lingering gene expression can serve as a 'stepping stone' for recruiting genes into making new traits.
Researchers have gained insights into the molecular mechanisms behind bioluminescence in fireflies, click beetles and glow worms. Mutations to an enzyme called luciferase produce red light in acidic conditions, while changes favoring green light emission occur under normal conditions.
Kiel researchers found that the stiffness of a male beetle's penis is crucial for successful mating, as the female's spiral-shaped reproductive organ makes penetration difficult. The study suggests that males with softer tips may have an advantage in mating.
Male beetles have evolved to keep their penis tips soft for faster sex, exploiting the female's duct for efficient breeding. Researchers found that a softer tip is better for penetrating the female duct due to its narrow tube, which slows down penetration.
Researchers at Brigham Young University studied the Emerald Ash Borer's eye structure to understand its color vision. They found that the beetle uses modified UV and green opsin genes to see in a way that other organisms cannot, allowing it to find mates and trees.
The newly discovered Evemphyron sinense genus and species is a primitive weevil with peculiar features. It infests legume seedpods in China, unlike other closely related beetles that roll leaves to create nests.
Researchers built a gene expression database of a stag beetle species and identified key genes involved in sex determination and differentiation. The study found that the intersex gene plays a crucial role in determining female-specific traits, while the transformer-2 gene affects more than just sex-specific characteristics.
A new study found that UK diving beetle populations have shifted their ranges over the past three decades due to female choosiness, leading to the evolution of rough body surfaces in males. In some cases, 'rough' and 'smooth' females co-exist within the same species, with different geographical ranges. This shift is likely driven by th...
Female beetles with fighting experience spend more time feeding their offspring, helping them survive. The study found that conflict-experienced mothers laid the same number and size of eggs but had a higher survival rate among their young.
The new sixth volume of Research on Chrysomelidae features five research articles on the latest findings about the 37,000 leaf beetle species. The studies cover a new species of potentially dangerous legume-feeding pest and provide new information on life cycle, ecological interactions, species richness factors, and taxonomy.
A new study from Rice University and Louisiana State University suggests that the early life experiences of individual animals can have wide-reaching impacts on entire species. The research, which examined whether past environments could affect species distribution, found that ignoring these carryover effects can result in incorrect as...
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park is home to a rich biodiversity of water beetles, with 68 species collected from temporary freshwater ponds. These tiny ecosystems are crucial for maintaining wetland health and can serve as indicators of pollution levels.
A University of Exeter study on burying beetles shows that excessive mating can cause males to evolve longer penis-like organs and females to develop larger 'claws' on their genitalia within ten generations. This co-evolutionary process highlights the importance of sexual conflict in shaping biodiversity.
A study on the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus found that genetic links between traits favoring one sex may explain same-sex sexual behavior (SSB), with increased SSB linked to improved reproductive performance in siblings of the opposite sex.
Researchers at Lund University discovered that dung beetles take photographs of the sky while dancing on a ball of dung, using this snapshot to navigate. This unique behavior allows them to orient themselves correctly in the savannah.
Researchers at Indiana University have identified the genetic pathways that control physical traits in horned beetles based on nutritional conditions during development. The study reveals a complex relay system transmitting information about external circumstances to the cell nucleus, allowing organisms to produce different traits in r...
In a groundbreaking discovery, Czech researchers found the first case of ovoviviparity in long-horned beetles from Borneo, resulting in three new genera and four species descriptions. The study reveals high morphological diversity in this lineage, challenging current knowledge on beetle reproduction.
Researchers discovered an evolutionary link between dinosaurs and dung beetles, with the first molecular evidence indicating their origins in the Lower Cretaceous period. The study suggests that the incorporation of flowering plants in dinosaurs' diet led to a new niche for evolution.
A new species of flightless beetle, Trigonopterus chewbacca, has been discovered in New Britain with its unique scales resembling Han Solo's loyal companion. The beetle genus thrives best in Melanesia, the Oceania subregion where Papua New Guinea is located.
Researchers have discovered that dung beetles evolved from a single common ancestor, with the onthophagines and oniticellines tribes making up half of the world's dung beetle fauna. These beetles play a crucial role in ecosystems by recycling nutrients and reducing parasites.
Masked chafer larvae cause root damage to turfgrass, leading to brown and dying blades. Biological approaches like entomopathogens offer promising solutions for reducing grub numbers.
A special issue of ZooKeys reports 303 new beetle records for New Brunswick, Canada, expanding the fauna by 13% over three years. The findings include 32 species new to science and contribute to a total of 3,062 known species in the region.
A new study by Dartmouth College and other institutions provides a method to predict forest risks from the southern pine beetle using a simple, inexpensive monitoring program. The researchers found that the risks in any year and region can be predicted synchronously across hundreds of miles.
Researchers found two new species of dung beetles in montane forests and cattle grazing sites across the Mexican mountains. The discovery highlights the importance of preserving disturbed ecosystems for species conservation.
Researchers use stable hydrogen isotope signatures to determine the origin and time of arrival for invasive Japanese beetles. The technique helps answer questions about control efforts and informs management decisions.
Research reveals that male beetles demonstrating same-sex sexual behaviour establish a pecking order and display lower aggression levels compared to those who don't participate. Males receiving submissive roles show reduced courtship attempts and mating success.
Researchers discovered that the beetles' unique method of movement involves raising their middle legs to prevent wing interference and then rapidly flapping their wings in a figure-of-eight pattern. The insects' balancing act between surface tension and lift generates telltale ripples on the water's surface.
A team of scientists tracked radio-tagged coconut rhinoceros beetles on Guam to locate hidden breeding sites. The study found that the beetles often congregated around damaged palm trees, suggesting thousands of new breeding sites may exist in the islands' jungles.
Researchers develop new material to collect condensed water droplets using bio-inspired approach combining multiple natural systems. The material harnesses the power of desert beetles' bumps, cactus spines and slippery surfaces to facilitate condensation, promising applications in thermal power plants.
Researchers have discovered a behavioral trait that can be used against Mexican bean beetles, offering new control strategies without insecticides. Reflective mulch has been shown to significantly reduce beetle numbers and plant damage in outdoor plots.
Researchers discovered that San Bushmen used beetle larvae and plant materials to create arrow poisons, showcasing their intimate knowledge of their environment. This ancient hunting practice provides valuable insights into human evolution and the importance of environmental awareness.
A comprehensive study of the San peoples' hunting tradition in Namibia reveals the ingenious practice of using beetle and plant poisons to boost arrow lethality. The research provides new insights into the biological purpose of the poison, its application process, and its impact on prey.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a beetle-inspired method to control frost growth on surfaces using chemical micropatterns. By attracting water to specific areas and repelling it from others, they created dry zones around frozen dew drops, preventing frost from spreading.
Researchers discovered that discontinuous gas-exchange cycles in ground beetles minimize tracheal system infestation by pathogens. This finding sheds light on the insects' evolutionary success and potential defense mechanisms.
Female burying beetles prefer smaller male partners due to reduced competition and potential for squabbles. Despite being less successful as parents, small males still breed more often in faithful pairs than larger males.
Forensic entomologists may uncover new information by studying tiny mites that feed on vertebrate carrion, including human remains. The discovery of these hitchhiking mites could add more time points to the timeline used for estimating postmortem intervals.
The latest volume of Research on Chrysomelidae celebrates its 30-year legacy, featuring works from a multinational research team and dedicated to Prof. Pierre Jolivet's contributions. New areas for investigation are highlighted, including Madagascar and the impact of deforestation.
A recent study found that widespread tree mortality from mountain pine beetles can reduce water availability due to increased evaporation, rather than increasing streamflow. This challenges previous assumptions and offers new insights for managing healthier forests that are more resistant to drought.
A tiny beetle fossil, over 99 million years old, has been discovered in Myanmar's Burmese amber, providing tangible evidence for the evolution of the Histeridae family. The fossil, named Cretonthophilus tuberculatus, offers a unique window into the past, revealing details about its anatomy and behavior.
A recent study has identified 116 species of round-waisted predatory beetles in Haleakala volcano, including 74 new to science. The discovery highlights the extreme diversity and abundance of beetle fauna on the volcano, with many species occupying specific microhabitats.
A new species of whirligig beetle has been discovered in Alabama's Conecuh National Forest, identified by PhD student Grey Gustafson and entomologist Dr. Robert Sites. The newly described species, Dineutus shorti, is the first to be found in the US since 1991.
Researchers studied the eye development of Sunburst Diving Beetle larvae, revealing rapid eye growth and transformation between stages. The findings suggest a pre-determined eye growth mechanism, but also allow for adjustments at the level of the lens, which reforms over eight hours.
A long-term study on a rooftop in Copenhagen reveals that climate change is altering the local insect community, with specialized species being more sensitive to temperature increases. The research found that some species are moving northwards in Europe, while others are being squeezed out of their range.
A new study led by University of Colorado Boulder researchers found no correlation between spruce beetle infestation and severe fire damage in the region. The study suggests that factors like topography and weather conditions play a larger role in determining fire severity.
Researchers found that coconut rhinoceros beetles were breeding in the crowns of coconut trees on Guam, with all life stages present. This unusual behavior is attributed to the loss of birds and rats due to brown treesnake predation, which normally feeds on larvae in this habitat.
A recent study on diving beetles found that globally, these animals have evolved towards a small number of regularly-spaced body sizes, indicating functional similarity among species. This suggests that evolution drives self-organizing processes into clusters of functionally similar groups.
Scientists have measured the world's smallest free-living insect, a featherwing beetle species, with a precise length of 0.325 mm. This discovery provides new insights into its distribution and diet, revealing a wider range than previously thought.
Researchers discovered that burying beetles express specific genes controlling parenting behaviors when single-parented, but not when appearing to co-parent. This finding provides insights into the fundamental genetics of parenthood in insects and may inform studies on social dynamics in other animals.
Researchers led by Caroline Chaboo explore the 'arms race' dynamics in leaf beetles, where tortoise beetles develop unique defenses against predators. The study aims to understand how this arms race drives evolution and generates biodiversity, shedding light on human morphology and behavior.
A rarely collected parasitic woodwasp species has been found in the Ozark Mountains, expanding its known range hundreds of miles west. This discovery was made possible by photos posted on Flickr and BugGuide, which helped identify new specimens from the US National Entomology Collection.