Research on insects and their role in nature. Covers disease-carrying bugs, insect evolution, wildfire effects, and sensory circuitry.
Research reveals that prolonged periods of terrestrial invertebrates in rivers lead to monopolization by larger fish, altering food webs and ecosystem functions. In contrast, pulsed periods enable smaller fish to access benthic invertebrates, resulting in reduced leaf breakdown rates.
A study of prehistoric teeth sheds new light on the diets of ancient lizards and snakes, revealing they already had a full spectrum of diet types, including flesh-eating and plant-based. The research found that these species had achieved modern levels of dietary specialization by 100 million years ago.
Researchers identified insect genes that directly guide gall development in aphids, transforming ordinary plant parts into intricate shelters. The discovery of "bicycle genes" reveals a novel mechanism by which insects reprogram plant growth.
A new study reveals a causal link between the decline of insectivorous birds and poor water quality, driven by human disturbance and pollution. The analysis shows that emergent insects, which serve as an important food source for birds, are highly sensitive to water pollution.
A team of researchers led by Simon Fraser University paleontologist Bruce Archibald has discovered a major new insect group closely related to damselflies and dragonflies. The distinctive shape of the insect's non-protruding, rounded eyes is the defining feature of Cephalozygoptera, which lived among dinosaurs in the Cretaceous age.
Researchers found that an enzyme from tomato fruitworm caterpillars causes stomatal closure in plants, inhibiting defensive emissions like airborne plant volatiles. This study may yield insights into plant stress tolerance and potential strategies for improving crop resilience to climate change.
Plants have evolved a defense system to warn themselves of predator attacks and ward off damage. Elicitors, such as molecular patterns and saliva proteins, trigger an 'SOS signal', initiating defense responses.
Researchers found that dragonflies frequently perform upside-down backflips to regain their balance. They also observed a similar response in unconscious dragonsflies, suggesting a component of passive stability.
Researchers have identified 20 proteins found in cricket food products that could cause serious allergic reactions in individuals with shellfish allergies. The study aims to provide a framework for detecting and labelling insect-derived allergens in food products, ensuring safe consumption by those with allergies.
Researchers from UConn and LSU found that insect declines in Puerto Rico may not be directly caused by global warming, but rather by increased hurricane frequency and intensity. Long-term data helped disentangle the effects of climate change and storm impacts on ecosystems.
In a study of local rivers, researchers discovered that litter provides the largest and most stable habitat for invertebrates, supporting diverse communities. The findings have important implications for river management, including clean-up events and introducing alternative habitats.
A team of researchers identified a new species of praying mantis thanks to fossilized wing imprints. The discovery sheds light on wing evolution among mantises and advances scientific understanding of their evolution. The study uses Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) to analyze the intricate network of veins in the fossils.
Drain flies have evolved a specialized hair coating that allows them to shrug off water droplets of almost any size. This nanoscale roughness gives the wing surface superhydrophobicity, minimizing contact between water and wing.
A newly discovered 50-million-year-old fossil of an assassin bug has remarkably preserved internal male genitalia, providing valuable insights into the species' family tree. The find suggests that banded assassin bugs are about 25 million years older than previously thought.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology develop an optical flow-based learning process that enables small flying drones to estimate distances through the visual appearance of objects in view. This allows for better navigation skills, including smoother landings and improved obstacle detection.
A new study reveals that rare Arctic insect populations are declining, while more common species are thriving due to climatic changes. Climate-driven shifts in growing seasons and permafrost thawing may be key factors contributing to these trends.
Research by University of Pennsylvania biologists Daniel Janzen and Winnie Hallwachs found that climate change has taken a toll on insects in the tropics. Insect biomass and species richness have been decomposing since the mid-1970s, with dramatic drops in moth numbers and species diversity.
Researchers discovered an intrinsic contralateral connection in insect nervous systems that enables synchronized muscle activation after limb loss. This finding may aid design principles for flexible and adaptive walking in insect-like robots.
Scientists are using AI to identify insects at supernatural speed, opening up new possibilities for discovering unknown species and tracking their life across space and time. Insects have diverse life histories and roles in ecosystems, making manual observation and counting a time-consuming process.
Research shows that cycad trees' sex can be inferred from their branching behavior, providing a tool for conservationists to assess population traits. This knowledge is crucial for recovering the island's cycad population, as it was killed by non-native insect pests.
A collaborative effort involving genetically engineered cotton and mass releases of sterile pink bollworm moths has successfully eliminated the invasive pest from cotton-producing areas of the US and Mexico. This strategy saved U.S. cotton growers $192 million from 2014 to 2019.
Researchers at Shinshu University discovered that silkworms use thermal information to determine when to lay dormant eggs. The neuropeptide corazonin plays a key role in regulating this process, and its release is controlled by GABA neurotransmission.
A study of over 1,400 protein-coding genes resolved the mystery of fleas' placement in the insect tree of life. Fleas are classified as scorpionflies, evolving to feed on vertebrates between 290 and 165 million years ago.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences and University of Bristol solve the 'flea mystery' by classifying fleas as a group of highly modified scorpionflies. The study suggests that fleas evolved from small, nectar-feeding scorpionflies that later developed specialized blood-sucking mouthparts.
A study found that herbivorous insects from lower elevations can alter alpine plant communities when introduced to higher elevations, leading to changes in biomass structure and composition. This disruption can favor the growth of small-stature plant species.
Researchers found that flies in apple orchards can acquire fire blight bacteria from sugary droplets on diseased trees and transmit it to uninfected shoots. This discovery provides new insights into the disease cycle and highlights the importance of integrating historical literature into modern research.
A new study found that city-dwelling tree swallows bred more successfully due to warmer temperatures, but their blood contained higher levels of mercury from contaminated insects. Urbanization's impact on wildlife health is a growing concern as the climate continues to warm and land use changes threaten biodiversity.
A new study from Lund University found that high temperatures can limit insects' ability to reproduce and tolerate changes in temperature. Insects, being cold-blooded, rely on external sources for body temperature regulation, making them vulnerable to overheating.
Researchers found that competing groups of insectivores consume the same type of food, such as chironomids, which could lead to an unprecedented ecocatastrophe. The study sheds new light on the decline in insect populations and highlights the potential cascading effects on ecosystems.
Researchers studied Nocticola sp. cockroaches to better understand their evolutionary history, shedding light on a 'lost' family of insects that may be the missing link in the evolution of insects from prehistoric times to the present day.
Researchers study insect brain computation to develop faster, more efficient machine learning algorithms. The fruit fly's ability to generalize experiences in complex environments informs the creation of an AI model capable of rapid adaptation.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that bats use a combination of echolocation calls and head movements to predict the future position of their prey. This discovery enhances our understanding of auditory-guided behaviors in animals and humans, including sight-impaired individuals who rely on sound to navigate.
Researchers discovered that ogre-faced spiders can detect both low- and high-frequency sounds using hairs and joint receptors on their legs. The spiders use these sensory systems to hunt flying insects by performing a choreographed backwards strike, which may be aided by directional hearing.
Researchers confirmed ogre-faced spiders use metatarsal sensitivity to detect sound cues from up to 6 feet away, triggering a split-second backflip to strike airborne insects. The spiders' finely tuned sensory systems and unique hunting strategy enable them to capture prey in mid-air.
New research highlights barriers to adopting insect-based food, including Western consumer acceptance and safety concerns. The larvae offer a high-quality protein source with zinc, iron, and calcium content comparable to meat.
Researchers at Rice University and UNAM have discovered four new wasp species, including Allorhogas gallifolia, which may interact with other species on galls in complex ways. The discovery adds to the lab's 'ghoulish insect menagerie' and expands understanding of ecosystem interactions.
A new study found that fipronil compounds were more toxic to stream communities than previously thought, with 16% of sampled US streams exceeding safe concentrations. The Southeast region showed the highest prevalence of fipronil, while Pacific Northwest streams detected only around 9%.
Carnivorous plants have evolved to digest insect prey by repurposing defense proteins, a mechanism that is regulated through genetic mechanisms. The study aims to understand the evolution and regulation of this process.
The genus Iris, comprising over 300 species, has a poor fossil record, but researchers created a phylogeny to study evolutionary divergence. They found the last common ancestor of irises probably had purple flowers with a crest and spot on falls, pollinated by insects for nectar.
University of Washington researchers develop a 98mg sensor system that can be released from drones or insects and land safely without breaking, collecting data for almost three years. The system uses a magnetic pin to hold the sensor, which is then released using a wireless command, allowing for remote monitoring in hard-to-reach areas.
Birds breeding earlier due to climate change face increased risk of mortality, as chicks hatch into unpredictable weather conditions. This study examines the impact on Tree Swallows, finding that advancing breeding dates result in reduced availability of food resources, exacerbating the effects of climate change.
Research on insects addresses sustainability science goals such as promoting peace and improving health by providing innovative solutions to pressing problems. Insects are identified as unsung heroes in tackling multifaceted sustainability challenges.
A study by Penn State researchers found that suburban areas support the highest number of cricket and katydid species due to intermediate levels of urbanization. The use of aural point count surveys offers a simple and efficient method for monitoring and mapping insect populations, providing vital insights for conservation efforts.
A new study predicts a 36% global increase in invasive insect species by 2050, with Europe and Asia experiencing the strongest invasions. This research provides a baseline for assessing future biological invasions, enabling proactive measures to contain their spread.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have found that surplus sugar from honeydew secretions by whiteflies is used to detoxify plant toxins. The discovery of a novel glucosylation pathway reveals how whiteflies prevent activation of mustard oil bomb in cruciferous plants.
A research team at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz identified a new variant of Photorhabdus luminescens that interacts with plant roots, releasing substances to combat plant-damaging fungi. This discovery offers new prospects for sustainable crop protection and biological pest control in agriculture.
A team of researchers discovered that synchronous fireflies don't flash according to an innate rhythm but instead adjust their behavior based on what their neighbors are doing. The study uses a new technological approach to map out the locations of the bugs flashing in their vicinity, revealing a more complex synchronization mechanism.
A team of entomologists from St. Petersburg State University has discovered a new species of tropical Heteroptera, Tatupa grafei, characterized by its golden color and distinctive long antennae. The discovery sheds light on the biodiversity of the island of Borneo and highlights the importance of preserving these unique organisms.
Researchers isolated molecules from a blue light-emitting fungus gnat found in the Appalachians, which could lead to novel biotech applications and elucidate human diseases. The study revealed an almost unknown bioluminescent system composed of luciferin and luciferase.
Warmer temperatures cause Arctic plants to compete for pollinators, with the most attractive species monopolizing services. Researchers found that Avens and Moss Campion experience altered flowering periods due to temperature changes, impacting competition and pollination success.
A Chinese-German research team identified two olfactory receptors that detect isothiocyanates from cruciferous plants, guiding female diamondback moths to lay eggs on these plants. The discovery offers approaches to control the pest using attractants or chemical agents to interrupt perception of isothiocyanates.
Research shows that air pollution from ozone levels damages the scent of flowers, deterring moths. However, when given a chance, moths quickly learn that even polluted floral odors may lead to nutritious nectar rewards. This learning ability is crucial for moths to adapt to changing environments.
The widespread use of neonicotinoid insecticides poses a risk to the environment and biodiversity due to their ability to spread through the food chain. By transmitting toxins through honeydew and other organic matter, these insecticides can harm pollinators, predators, and other organisms beyond their intended targets.
A new study found that the yellow mealworm shows promise as a good, sustainable food source due to its high protein content and versatility. The research also identified potential uses for the insect's waste as organic fertilizer.
A study of 61,751 pregnant women found that frequent indoor insecticide use increased neonatal hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy by 1.21 times, while frequent spray or lotion-type repellent use decreased it by 0.70 times. Asian mothers are twice as likely to exhibit jaundice than Caucasians and blacks.
Scientists discovered that the ratio of chiral alpha-pinene molecules varies with altitude, time of day, and season in the Amazon rainforest. Insects, particularly termites, are found to be a significant source of plus-alpha-pinene, previously unknown in forest emissions.
Researchers have discovered three new species of African vesper bats by comparing their genes, teeth, skulls, echolocation calls, and penis bones. The discovery has resolved taxonomic relationships between the large number of species in the family and describes two new genera.
Researchers at Georgia Tech study slingshot spider's ability to store energy in its web, achieving acceleration of 1,300 m/s2 and forces of over 130 Gs. The spider uses a latch mechanism to release the web and launch itself towards prey.
Scientists have created a novel way of creating a flame-retardant, insect-repellent fabric using nontoxic substances. The new fabric was found to perform at least 20% better than the untreated material in heat release capacity and total heat release tests.
Researchers found evidence of humans using grass bedding and ash layers to create comfortable areas for sleeping and working over 200,000 years ago. The study suggests that people used fire, ash, and medicinal plants to maintain clean and pest-free camps.