Articles tagged with Entomology
A tiny beetle, the mesquite girdler, is speeding up desertification by regulating plant growth. The beetle's actions are depleting nutrients for other plant species, altering the Chihuahuan desert's ecosystem.
Researchers discovered that Librodor japonicus beetles employ distinct strategies to attract mates based on their body size. Smaller males use 'sneaky matings' behind larger males, while medium-sized beetles search for unoccupied feeding sites. This unique approach ensures all individuals have a chance at finding a mate without conflict.
The Häagen-Dazs brand has gifted a new garden design to Penn State's Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, featuring interconnected gardens and educational spaces. The design aims to provide year-round food sources for honey bees and raise public awareness about their plight.
The Entomological Society of America has selected nine new Fellows and one new Honorary Member, recognizing their outstanding contributions to research, teaching, extension, or administration in the field of entomology. The honorees will be recognized during the ESA Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.
A graduate student has discovered 25 new spiders and one previously unknown species in Brazos County, expanding the knowledge of local natural resources. The study highlights the importance of diverse spider populations in maintaining ecosystem balance.
The honey bee genome sequencing project has generated exciting results, providing new insights into diverse topics in honey bee biology, including neurobiology and caste determination. The project's findings have also shed light on disease-resistant pathways and metabolic adaptations to an all-floral diet.
A study of accidentally imported ants in the US reveals that finding suitable nesting sites is key to successful invasion. Researchers identified 232 species from 394 samples and found that opportunity alone is no guarantee of success.
Researchers at Ohio State University isolated three key genes controlling when female mosquitoes switch from feeding on blood to an all-sugar diet. These genes help the mosquitoes survive cold weather and potentially aid in understanding the West Nile Virus transmission.
Researchers at UK developed a new approach to controlling mosquitoes, which can prevent various forms of encephalitis including West Nile and malaria. The study was conducted in collaboration with colleagues from Johns Hopkins University.
Entomologists Quentin Wheeler and Kelly Miller named three slime-mold beetle species after former US leaders Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld. The decision was made to pay homage to the U.S. leaders' commitment to freedom and democracy.
The US is likely to see an increase in West Nile virus cases in California this year, thanks to a combination of mosquito population, agricultural methods, and bird migration patterns. The state's diverse geography and climate will also contribute to the spread of the disease.
Kansas State University researchers are using geographic tools to track the spread of a highly invasive soybean aphid, which could have significant implications for national security. By analyzing data and mapping patterns, they aim to predict future outbreaks and develop an early warning system.
Researchers found that male flesh flies radically move their heads while chasing females, but don't necessarily use the high-definition parts of their compound eyes. This unique visual guidance system could help engineers develop better detection systems for aircraft and artillery.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified the first gene in lice that kills bacteria threatening the insect. The study also found genes involved in digesting human blood and fighting off infections. Understanding lice genetics could lead to novel pest control strategies, potentially benefiting public health.
Researchers identified 25 genes involved in termite caste development, including muscle function and cellulase production. Treatment with juvenile hormone can convert worker termites into soldiers, potentially leading to colony decimation.
A recent UC Riverside study found that mosquito coils in Indonesia and Asian markets contain the banned substance S-2, which can cause exposure to bischloromethyl ether, a potent lung carcinogen. The researchers plan to measure levels of BCME in indoor environments where the coils are used.
A new Web-based calculator will warn public health officials when and where mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus thrive or die, based on climate data. The system will help track mosquito populations' development and aging, which is crucial for predicting outbreaks.
Bees that follow dance language with distance and direction information collect more food than those following disoriented dances. This effect is strongest during the winter season and helps ensure colony survival.
A UC Riverside study of 2,055 brown recluse spiders in a Kansas home found no bites on occupants. The study suggests that many skin lesions misdiagnosed as 'brown recluse spider bites' are actually caused by other factors like infections or bug bites.
Scientists at the University of Illinois discovered that insects can change plant chemistry to attract mates, using a substitute for sex pheromones. Male gall wasps recognize uneven chemical ratios and use volatile cues to locate females emerging from plants.
Researchers analyzed Anopheles gambiae genome for transposable elements to develop new ways to prevent malaria transmission. The study's findings have the potential to inform the design of new strategies against this devastating disease.
Alexander Raikhel, a UC Riverside researcher, has received a $4.3 million NIH grant to study the regulation of genes in mosquitoes. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to developing means to interrupt disease transmission cycles and prevent mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile virus and Dengue Fever.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered a previously undetected gene that regulates insect sex-pheromone production, leading to rapid evolution of chemical systems and new species emergence. The delta-14 gene allows females to change their pheromone components, attracting only one male out of 200 with the same response.
Researchers found that nepetalactone in catnip is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET. The compound can be used as an alternative to commercial insect repellents with lower concentrations required, making it a promising discovery for pest control.
Researchers found that warmer temperatures will allow the Asian tiger mosquito to breed faster and potentially spread farther north, possibly surviving year-round in areas where winter freezes now kill it off. The study also suggests that global warming may alter the distribution of other mosquito species, with potentially severe conse...
Researchers at Cornell University have identified and cloned a key gene in the reproductive system of male cockroaches, which could lead to the development of safe and effective birth control. The goal is to create a pesticide that specifically targets pests without harming other insects or humans.
Scientists say Western corn rootworms are changing behavior, laying eggs in soybean fields instead of corn, due to crop rotation failure. The beetles' adaptation poses a significant threat to corn crops in the Midwest, potentially costing $100 million per year to control.
Forensic entomologist Gail Anderson's work helps secure conviction for two Canadian bear poachers. Insect egg samples from the victims' bodies were analyzed to determine the time of death, tying the suspects to the crime scene.
A new species of ground beetle, Platynus indecentis, has been officially named and described by entomologists at Cornell University. The beetle was found in the Ithaca area and has a natural range extending from Maine to Ohio and Ontario to Maryland.
Researchers challenge conventional wisdom that scraping off bee stings is more effective than pinching them out. Immediate removal of the sting, rather than its method of removal, reduces the amount of venom injected. Delaying removal increases welt size and envenomization.