Articles tagged with Beetles
A University of Exeter review highlights the dangers of relying on climate-based projections for crop pest distributions. Crop pests like the Colorado potato beetle have evolved rapidly to evade predictions, making it challenging to predict their future spread.
The collaboration uses G-LiHT to measure signs and symptoms of forest health, detecting changes in leaf pigments and spotting infested trees with thermal infrared cameras. This technology helps track emerald ash borer and southern pine beetle populations, informing post-infestation control measures.
A new species of scarab beetle, Termitotrox venus, was discovered in Cambodia and named after the Roman goddess of beauty and love. The beetle's unique characteristics include its large size compared to its relative and its ability to coexist with termites.
The coffee berry borer beetle relies on its gut microbiota to break down and detoxify caffeine, a toxic compound that harms most insects. Researchers discovered 14 bacterial species in the beetles' digestive tracts that degrade caffeine, with one species possessing a gene that enables this process.
New research reconstructs beetle family tree, showing diversification over nearly 300 million years. The success of beetles attributed to low extinction rates and interactions with plants, fungi, and microorganisms.
A team of scientists has released two species of silver flies from the Pacific Northwest to attack the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect killing millions of hemlock trees on the East Coast. Early results suggest the flies have successfully reproduced and preyed on the pest in Tennessee and New York.
Researchers found that western corn rootworm beetles develop resistance to crop rotation through gene expression changes in their guts, involving immune regulation and antimicrobial functions. The study sheds light on the complex interplay of forces behind rotation resistance and could help develop more sustainable agricultural practices.
A new species of blind weevil has been discovered in the subsoil of Gran Canaria, with unique adaptations for life underground. The beetle, Oromia thoracica, has a flattened body and thorax that covers its head, allowing it to thrive in narrow cracks.
A study published in PNAS estimates global species richness, finding that roughly 10% of the world's beetles have been named and described, shedding light on previous estimates. The research suggests a mean of 1.5 million beetle species and 6.8 million terrestrial arthropod species.
Researchers identified two genetic lineages of the walnut twig beetle, one native to the Southwest and another invasive throughout the US. Hybridization between lineages was found in areas where the invasive lineage has expanded, threatening eastern black walnut trees.
Beetle species segregate mating activity by time of day and seasonal changes, allowing females to choose mate from specific species. This discovery provides a framework for understanding how insects produce separate signals with the same pheromone.
Research reveals that male genitalia with spines increase fertilization success but injure female reproductive tracts. This can diminish the reproductive success of competing species and impact their demographic and evolutionary dynamics.
A new species of diving beetle, Capelatus prykei, has been identified in the Noordhoek Wetlands near Cape Town. The beetle is highly distinctive and has no direct relatives, with its closest connections found around the Mediterranean and New Guinea. Its unique genetic makeup suggests it is critically endangered due to isolation.
Using synchotron X-rays, scientists visualize the dynamics of explosions within a bombardier beetle's body, discovering a self-repairing valve that saves energy. This breakthrough could provide new design principles for technologies related to blast mitigation and propulsion.
Researchers have solved the mystery of how bombardier beetles produce their explosive defense mechanism, revealing a complex process controlled by a flexible membrane and valve. The beetle's ability to superheat and expel the liquid creates a powerful spray that is highly effective against predators.
A study by Denson McLain found that larger male soldier beetles exhibit a size-related preference for large females, resulting in stronger assortative mating. This preference increases their likelihood of encountering and mating with more fecund females.
Researchers found that male flour beetles can detect chemical cues on females indicating sperm competition and adjust their courtship efforts accordingly. When females exhibit the scent of one to three rival males, males increase their reproductive investment.
A field study by Lund University has shown that neonicotinoid pesticides harm wild bees, affecting their growth and reproduction. Researchers found no negative impact on honeybees, but warned of the need for new evaluation methods to predict risks in real landscapes.
A McGill research team identified over 460 Arctic beetle species, showing clear differences in feeding habits and ecological roles along latitude gradients. This suggests that beetles may quickly reflect changes in climate on soil, plants, and animals.
The article provides a thorough review of the Asian longhorned beetle's biology, life stages, distribution, ecology, and methods of detecting and controlling it. The new online resource will be particularly helpful for forest managers and policymakers, offering a summary of the scientific backing for cooperative eradication programs.
A researcher at the University of Kansas will investigate how organisms transition from aquatic to terrestrial existence, analyzing South American water scavenger beetles. The study aims to understand the mechanics of evolution and how species respond to environmental instability tied to climate change.
A University of Missouri researcher found that human perception of environmental damage improves over time, despite little improvement in the environmental conditions. Residents' perceptions of the severity of the beetle kill problem decreased during the study period.
A new species of tree-killing bark beetle has been described in a paper published online in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America. The mesoamerican pine beetle was found to work in concert with the southern pine beetle, causing catastrophic damage to pines in Central America.
A Dartmouth College and US Forest Service study reveals that mild winters are not fuelling mountain pine beetle outbreaks in the coldest areas of the western United States. Instead, warming winters have allowed beetles to survive in historically unfavorable regions, leading to more severe outbreaks.
A new CU-Boulder study has found that mountain pine beetle epidemics do not significantly increase the risk of wildfires in Western US forests. Climate change and drought are considered the primary drivers of larger forest fires.
Researchers found that beetles have among the lowest family-level extinction rates due to their ability to adapt to changing environments. The study suggests that beetle diversity may be due to an historically low extinction rate rather than a high rate of new species emerging.
Researchers have used cyborg insect technology to study the behavior of giant flower beetles in flight, revealing a key muscle used for steering. The findings demonstrate improved control over the beetles' free-flying movements, with potential applications in search-and-rescue operations.
A study on burying beetles found that males with higher mating rates are more sensitive to competition and display flexible behavior in response to changing social contexts. This flexibility allows them to adapt to environmental fluctuations and increase their reproductive success.
A novel gill net called Tekken has been found to catch coconut rhinoceros beetles with high effectiveness. Researchers are now using this technology to control beetle populations and monitor breeding sites.
Researchers use RNA interference to target essential genes in the beetle, resulting in a 100% mortality rate after five days of feeding. This technology offers precise protection without chemicals and foreign proteins production, making it a promising strategy for pest control.
Researchers discovered that blind predatory water beetles express opsin genes, which are usually found in species with eyes. This finding supports non-adaptive evolutionary theory and suggests that these beetles may have evolved through neutral mutations.
Larvae use chemical cues to identify adults likely to provide food, increasing their chances of survival. They selectively beg from unfamiliar beetles over familiar ones, potentially benefiting young beetles by increasing resource intake.
Researchers have documented Brazilian scarab beetles living in termite nests for the first time. The beetles' larvae likely feed on the nest structure rather than roots, allowing them to survive undetected.
An international team of scientists discovered a diverse range of seed beetles in Xinjiang, China, including four previously unknown species. The study found a total of 19 species, shedding light on the region's insect biodiversity.
A total of 98 new species of the Trigonopterus genus were discovered in Indonesian islands, shedding light on the region's vast insect fauna. The discovery highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable species from habitat changes.
A team of Chinese and Italian scientists have discovered a new species of blister beetle, Hycleus marcipoli, part of the understudied phaleratus group. The name 'Marco Polo' pays tribute to the collaboration during Ph.D. studies between China and Italy.
Researchers have discovered how a desert beetle collects dew on its back, which could lead to improved water yield in man-made dew condensers. The beetle's unique nanostructure allows for near-perfect infrared emissivity, enabling efficient cooling and dew formation.
Researchers found that insecticides increase slug populations and reduce crop yields by poisoning insects that eat slugs. The neonicotinoids can have unintended costs, even within crop production.
Scientists found 12 caves with trechine beetles, 7 new species, and 103 samples collected, highlighting the Du'an Karst as a biological hotspot for cavernicolous Trechinae in China.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that Thousand Cankers Disease (TCD) is a native disease that has gone rogue, threatening the health of black walnut trees. The fungus, Geosmithia morbida, and its long-time host beetle have co-evolved, creating a complex that can spread rapidly across landscapes.
The tiger beetle is the fastest creature on Earth, but its speed-related vision issues compromise its ability to catch prey. Researchers have discovered that the beetle opens and closes its mandibles in response to visual cues, such as the perceived size of its target.
Researchers have developed a new kind of ink that mimics the color-shifting ability of a longhorn beetle, offering a durable alternative to current methods. The ink can be fine-tuned to change color in response to environmental factors, making it difficult to copy.
Scientists have discovered a 52-million-year-old beetle fossil in India that showcases the earliest known example of myrmecophily, or ant-loving behavior. The beetle's unique adaptations enable it to bypass ant nest defenses and integrate into colony life.
A recent study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that mountain pine beetles contribute little to the ecological severity of fires in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The researchers tested six wildfires that affected over 75,000 acres and found no significant link between beetle outbreaks and fire severity.
Research by Brandon Barton suggests that slower natural wind speeds could reduce the number of soybean aphids on plants, allowing lady beetles to hunt more effectively. This could lead to a decrease in pesticide required for crop protection.
Researchers have designed decoys that mimic female emerald ash borers, enticing male beetles to land on them and get electrocuted. The team's bioreplicated decoys were more attractive to males than simpler 3D-printed decoys due to their fine-scale texture and color.
Researchers at the University of Montana discovered each species' weapon is structurally adapted to its own functional demands of fighting. Horns are found to be stronger and stiffer when exposed to species-typical fighting styles, suggesting performance in battle played a crucial role in their diversification.
Scientists have discovered two new species of carabid beetles in the Ethiopian Highlands, Calathus juan and Calathus carballalae. These beetle species were found at high elevations and were named after their collaboration partners. The study was published in Annals of the Entomological Society of America.
A University of Oregon team, with NSF support, is building a computational model to probe the influence of forest governance and climate on deadly insect infestations. The research aims to improve existing knowledge on mountain pine beetle infestation by identifying large-scale patterns of forest change under various scenarios.
Researchers discovered that beetle scales scatter light efficiently to achieve ultra-whiteness, using a complex network of chitin filaments. This finding could lead to brighter, whiter materials for paper, plastics, and paints while reducing material usage.
A synopsis of the carabid beetle tribe Lachnophorini reveals 24 new species, shedding light on their diversity and evolution. The study aims to provide taxonomic relationships for carabid beetles using morphological and molecular attributes.
A new species of rove beetle, Duocalcar geminum, has been found in French amber and is the oldest definitive member of the tribe Omaliini known to date. The discovery pushes back the minimum age of Omaliini to approximately 100 million years.
A 107-year-old beetle specimen was rediscovered and described as a new genus and species. The beetle, Rhipidocyrtus muiri, was collected in Borneo in 1907 and had been separated from its body for over a century.
Researchers Ana Sofía Reboleira and Vicente M. Ortuño discover a new species of cave beetle, Duvalius abyssimus, in the Krubera cave. The beetle is moderately adapted to life underground, retaining eyes despite its subterranean habitat.
Researchers suggest that meiosis and genetic recombination play a crucial role in Y chromosome loss. The team found substantial variation in sex chromosome systems among beetle species, with some exhibiting stable and others unstable Y chromosomes.
Researchers used fossil beetles to determine winter temperatures in 50-million-year-old uplands of British Columbia and Washington, revealing mild, frost-free winters. This discovery may help scientists understand how natural communities are impacted by climate change.
Flea beetles sequester glucosinolates without triggering the plant's defense mechanism. They utilize the compounds for their own communication and defense against predators.
Research reveals EABs were feeding on ash trees in southeast Michigan by the early 1990s, well before their discovery in 2002. The study used tree ring analysis to track the spread of the invasive species across over 5,800 square miles.
Researchers at the University of Exeter found that burying beetle size depends on a combination of early life experiences and adult competition. Beetles with good nutrition as larvae had an advantage over those with poor nutrition, especially in high-competition contests.
Researchers found that costly mating behaviors in females reduce overall reproductive productivity due to their primary role as caregivers. Artificial selection experiments revealed no change in male parental care behavior despite increased mating rates, highlighting the importance of female-led parental care.