Articles tagged with Insects
Researchers from over 70 countries develop a comprehensive road map to address the pressing issue of declining insect populations, driven by human-induced stress factors such as habitat loss and climate change. The plan outlines immediate, mid-term, and long-term actions to prioritize conservation efforts and restore ecosystems.
DEAnsect, a soft robotic insect, is equipped with dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) that enable it to move forward through vibrations. The insect is lightweight and quick, allowing it to navigate different terrain types, including undulating surfaces.
A new study reveals that plant-eating insects significantly impact forest ecosystems, causing nutrient leaching and increased carbon dioxide emissions. The researchers found that these insects can disrupt ecosystems more than previously thought, especially in cold areas where temperatures may rise.
Researchers used 3-D simulations to study how bats detect insect swarms, finding that small insects like mosquitoes become perceivable in large groups. The study's findings could provide insights into the evolution of bat echolocation and have potential applications for defense systems.
A University of Maryland-led study found that climate cycles and insect pests drive caribou migration timing. Caribou herds across North America synchronize their migrations at roughly the same time due to ocean-driven climate cycles, but arrival times depend on previous summer's weather conditions.
Researchers discovered small insects like mosquitoes become visible to bats in large swarms due to Quasi Constant Frequency signals. This finding sheds light on the evolution of bat echolocation and its potential applications for detecting drone swarms.
A new species of insect virus, Binjari virus, has been identified that can be engineered to house genes from disease-causing flaviviruses. This non-infectious virus represents a flexible tool for testing diagnostics and vaccines for various infectious diseases, including yellow fever, dengue, and West Nile encephalitis.
A new study found that female grape berry moths detect a subset of volatile organic compounds emitted by grapes, as well as nearby plants like gray dogwood and apple trees. The researchers suggest that the moths use these common volatiles to find their target habitat before using other cues to locate specific berries.
Researchers used a thrip's wing and microcantilever to study the drag force on an actual insect's wing under constant airflow. The study found that the natural bristled design could increase sensitivity in tiny flying or swimming robots.
Sweet potatoes use a unique terpene compound called DMNT to trigger a defense response in neighboring plants. This single-odor warning system protects the plant from herbivores and reduces the need for pesticides.
A University of Guelph study found that fruit flies' aggression depends on their previous interactions, not just who they're interacting with. The study showed that males in certain social groups became more aggressive after one-on-one encounters.
A University of Guelph study reveals that fruit flies' aggression is shaped by past interactions, not just who they interact with. The findings suggest that aggression is a complex trait influenced by social experiences, and its effects can last for up to three days.
Researchers found a 'kidney-shaped' brain region that processes and integrates visual information with other sensory inputs. This discovery sheds new light on how mantis shrimp make sense of their breathtaking visual input.
A WSU study published in Cell Reports demonstrates that mammalian insulin activates an antiviral immunity pathway in mosquitoes, increasing their ability to suppress flavivirus infections. This discovery has the potential to inhibit the spread of West Nile virus and other diseases such as dengue and Zika.
New study highlights significant advances in phloem-insect/pathogen interaction understanding, but notes research gaps and barriers to study. Researchers propose integrating phloem-feeding insect/pathogen interactions into plant science for improving host resistance.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that mosquitoes use sound to communicate during mating, which could lead to quieter drones. The study also found that targeting the specific frequency of the sound can disrupt breeding and population growth.
A large-scale biodiversity study found that insect decline is more extensive than previously thought, with many species affected in both grasslands and forests. The researchers identified the biggest losses in grasslands surrounded by intensively farmed land, where the most heavily impacted species were those unable to travel far.
A joint research team has successfully designed a swarm of tiny drones to explore unknown environments autonomously. The drones use a novel bug algorithm that enables them to navigate back to a base station while avoiding obstacles and detecting victims, showcasing the potential for swarms in search-and-rescue scenarios.
Researchers studied blue bottle fly landing behaviors using high-speed videography, uncovering a wide range of rotational maneuvers. The results suggest the flies may use neural processes and sensory cues for inverted landings, informing efforts to engineer small robotic fliers.
The study reveals that flies execute four perfectly timed maneuvers to land upside down, including a rapid body rotational maneuver and leg-assisted body swing. The findings aim to inspire advanced robotic technology and understand the biomechanical and sensory processes involved.
Researchers found that coarser radar data provide comparable and sometimes superior results to high-resolution laser scanning data in monitoring forest biodiversity. Better, standardized ground-based biodiversity data are needed nationwide for more effective monitoring.
A team developed a way to understand how nonnative insects might behave in their new environments, using evolutionary history. The model can quickly evaluate the risk of insect invasions and help foresters predict which species will be problematic.
A study involving over 100 researchers demonstrates that biodiversity enhances pollination and biological pest control, leading to increased crop yields. Higher agricultural biodiversity also reduces the reliance on pesticides, promoting sustainable agriculture.
Researchers identified two genes that enable the European corn borer moth to adjust its biological annual clocks in response to changing winters, improving its survival chances. This discovery could help biologists predict and anticipate the impact of climate change on different insect species.
A new phylogenomic tree reveals the early evolution of stick insects was likely triggered by birds and mammals. The study suggests that their remarkable camouflage abilities evolved as an adaptation to avoid predators, with most old lineages emerging after the dinosaurs became extinct 66 million years ago.
A new habitat-modeling study reveals large swaths of US and Europe are likely to be vulnerable to the invasive spotted lanternfly if it continues to spread. Suitable habitat for the tree and fruit pest was found in most New England and mid-Atlantic states, as well as parts of central US and Pacific Northwest globally.
A team of researchers is working on understanding the agility of hummingbirds to develop robotic systems that can mimic their complex escape maneuvers. By studying the aerodynamics, perception, motion planning, and control of hummingbird flight, the team hopes to create robots that can achieve high agility in fluid environments.
Compound lenses developed by researchers are inspired by mosquito eyes, providing a wide field of view with rapid imaging capabilities. The new design has antifogging properties, similar to those found in mosquito eyes, making it suitable for applications in drones, robots and medical devices.
A national survey found more public support for genetically modified gene drive systems targeting non-native insects, rather than native species. The study suggests that controlled systems, which alter an insect's ability to carry a pathogen without eliminating it, receive greater support.
Scientists discovered that viruses alter host plant immunity to deter non-vector insect herbivores, facilitating disease transmission. Geminivirus infection redistributes plant metabolites, inhibiting herbivore growth and production.
Scientists have found that Wolbachia's ability to block virus transmission may be maintained by natural selection, alleviating concerns about its long-term effectiveness. The study identified a gene within A. aegypti mosquitoes involved in Wolbachia's blocking trait.
Researchers created a bio-inspired compound eye that can detect objects' 3D locations based on light intensity, similar to insects. The system allows for rapid detection and could be used in robots, self-driving cars, and UAVs.
Martin Nyffeler's study calculates the significant ecological role of insectivorous birds in consuming herbivorous insects and other arthropods. The research reveals that forest birds are major consumers of arthropod biomass, with an estimated 400-500 million tons of prey consumed annually.
Researchers at University of Turku investigate parasitoid wasp diversity in Kibale National Park, Uganda, finding that species abundance varies with weather and vegetation conditions. The study contributes to global understanding of parasitoid insect diversity and highlights the urgent need to protect tropical biodiversity.
Despite temperature fluctuations, treehoppers' mating habits remain intact. Researchers at Saint Louis University found that male treehoppers' songs and female preferences adapt together in response to changing temperatures.
Researchers discovered that Asphondylia maggots use microscopic hairs to latch onto surfaces, forming a temporary leg to launch themselves into the air. This unique mechanism allows them to catapult themselves up to 121mm in just a few seconds, saving energy compared to crawling.
Researchers discovered that resistant poplar trees have higher levels of defense hormones and lower cytokinins. Hormone changes in response to insect feeding are also inherited, providing a model for pest management.
Researchers found that neonicotinoids in contaminated honeydew can kill a majority of hoverflies and parasitic wasps within 3 days. Beneficial insects fed on nectar or pollen from treated trees were not affected.
Researchers found that bats can distinguish insect from leaf by approaching at optimal angles, exploiting echo reflection on leaves. The study has implications for predator-prey interactions and echolocation.
A recent study found that non-native insect pests and fungal pathogens pose a significant threat to global tree and forest ecosystems. The research, led by CABI, highlights the need for improved phytosanitary measures in trading tree seeds to reduce the risk of introducing harmful organisms.
A new University of Vermont study reveals that certain essential oils, including garlic, spearmint, and thyme, can effectively repel the swede midge pest from broccoli crops. The study provides a novel framework for exploiting plant odors to manage invasive pests, offering a sustainable solution for organic farmers.
Researchers at Penn State found that plants can induce 'leaky gut syndrome' in insects by disrupting their protective gut barriers. This can lead to septicemia or an immune response that weakens the insect, providing a new strategy for plant defenses.
Researchers in Japan are utilizing creepy-crawlies to study human disease, develop diagnostic kits and create sustainable fertilizers. Genome Pharmaceuticals Institute uses silkworms to identify compounds for treating infections and boosting immune systems.
A moth caterpillar uses acids and scraping behaviors to disable latex defense systems in poinsettia plants, allowing it to feed safely. This unique strategy is thought to have evolved as a result of co-opting an existing anti-predator deterrent.
Research reveals scorpionfly species are not separate, but have evolved different forms to adapt to altitude and climate. The study uses Bayesian simulations and phylogenetic analyses to estimate divergence time of Japanese scorpionfly lineages.
A new report highlights edible insects as a viable option for meeting growing global demand for food in a sustainable way. The benefits of increasing insect consumption have been explored, but technological and processing approaches are needed to overcome commercialization barriers.
Research found that female bedbugs can cleverly manage their immune systems in anticipation of mating-related infection, allowing them to resist traumatic insemination and improve reproductive success. This ability may also be shared by other insects and could help control bedbug populations.
Researchers at KAUST have developed water-wet materials with gas-entrapping pores that allow for simultaneous separation of hot, salty and cool, pure water. The new membrane technology uses common plastics like PMMA and has the potential to unlock greener, cheaper desalination processes.
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified neurons in praying mantises that enable complex 3D perception, enabling more efficient algorithms for machine vision. The discovery provides new insights into the neural basis of depth perception in insects, shedding light on how these tiny brains process spatial information.
Agricultural pesticides reduced aquatic insect biodiversity but increased mosquito density, particularly for the pesticide-resistant Wyeomyia abebala. Pesticide use led to the loss of predators, allowing these mosquitoes to colonize habitats without competitors.
Researchers create mathematical framework to estimate cost-benefit trade-off of seeking shade in a warming world. The framework predicts that 17 insect species will experience 'behavioral rescue' and improve their fitness, while 19 are likely to be negatively impacted by rising temperatures.
Aphids and insect-infecting viruses like PLRV and MpDNV transmit crop damage worth billions annually. Researchers found a cooperative relationship between the two, increasing the likelihood of viral spread.
Researchers at the University of Guelph discovered that meat-eating pitcher plants in Algonquin Park wetlands consume not just bugs but also young salamanders. The plants' digestive enzymes break down prey, which may help them obtain essential nutrients like nitrogen from poor bog soil.
Research reveals that pop-up parks (PUPs) can significantly boost insect and spider diversity, providing habitat refuges for threatened species. PUPs also offer social benefits, including opportunities for physical and psychological restoration, and increased time spent outdoors.
Deer keds, a type of parasite fly that occasionally bites humans, have been found in more locations than previously thought, according to Penn State researchers. The team mapped their distribution across North America, documenting new state and county records, and warned that they may transmit disease-causing bacteria.
Researchers propose lab-grown insect meat as a solution to environmental concerns, combining benefits of insect farming, GM livestock and plant-based meat substitutes. The technology requires fewer resources and less energy-intensive control, with potential for mass food production and scalable cost-effectiveness.
Bats use echolocation by emitting ultrasonic signals and analyzing echoes to detect objects, but their navigational system relies on a surprisingly small amount of spatial information. This allows them to navigate effectively despite receiving an 'extremely fuzzy picture' of their environment.
Researchers create comprehensive database of land use change and its impact on plant and insect life in the British Isles. The study aims to provide long-term context for current trends in biodiversity and inform conservation practices.
Researchers at Kanazawa University found that inactivating the mosquito salivary protein AAPP significantly reduces mosquito feeding behavior, prolonging probing times and fluid excretion. This reduces egg production but does not affect malarial parasite development.
Researchers developed flying robots inspired by hummingbirds, trained with machine learning algorithms to mimic natural bird behavior. The robots can fly silently, maneuver through cluttered spaces, and even teach themselves new skills without human intervention.