Research on insects and their role in nature. Covers disease-carrying bugs, insect evolution, wildfire effects, and sensory circuitry.
Researchers have identified nearly 3,000 genes that enable phylloxera to colonize and feed on grape vines by creating nutrient-enhanced tumors. This discovery could lead to the development of pest-resistant rootstocks, reducing the financial burden on grape growers.
Researchers found distinct responses to ultraviolet and other colors of light between day- and night-biting mosquito species. The study's findings have important implications for using light to control harmful insects.
A team of researchers at West Virginia University has uncovered the manipulative qualities of a fungal parasite that infects cicadas, allowing it to transmit disease effectively. The fungus, Massospora, tricks male cicadas into mimicking female behavior, luring in unsuspecting males and eventually infecting them.
A study published in Science found that a large mutation called a 'supermutation' affects the coloration of North American stick insects, transforming continuous variation into discrete color morphs. This discovery provides insights into how genetic variation is packaged into biological diversity, such as morphs and species.
A team of researchers from UMaine and UMass Amherst has developed a novel membrane technology inspired by the pitcher plant, aiming to capture COVID-19 airborne droplets efficiently. The project uses a composite material with a liquid layer on the surface of a membrane to trap pathogenic particles.
Research reveals exotic species diversity increases on Azores islands through human activities, disrupting native ecosystems and nutrient recycling processes. The study found a slight decrease in endemic island species, such as the Azorean money spider.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a previously unidentified nanostructure on insect surfaces that can be used to engineer stronger, more resilient water repellent coatings. These high-solid fraction textures may imbue additional water repelling benefits and could be applied to personal protective equipment (PPE) to better resis...
Researchers discovered that flies turn their bodies before flipping their heads during take-off from an upside-down position. The insect achieves this rapid reorientation within six wing beats at speeds of up to 30 revolutions per second.
Researchers have developed a new design method for highly compact deployable structures inspired by the folding of earwig wings. The method has potential applications across various fields, including engineering, architecture, and daily-use products.
A new insect detection system using tiny chicken backpacks with wearable sensors has been developed to detect blood-feeding livestock mites. The technology, nicknamed 'Fitbits for chickens,' can help farmers identify infestations and improve poultry welfare.
Researchers discovered that goldenrod plants respond to gall fly sex pheromones by priming their chemical defenses, reducing gall formation, but varying effects depending on male fly age. Younger males result in fewer galls, while older males yield more galls.
A University of Göttingen research team found that black soldier fly larvae meal and spirulina can be included in poultry feed without negatively impacting quality. Microalgae are also a potential alternative to soybean meal, but remain more expensive due to production costs.
Paper wasps use social eavesdropping to learn about the fighting ability of potential rivals, allowing them to rapidly assess and avoid opponents. This complex behavior is surprising given their relatively small brains, highlighting the importance of social environment in shaping sophisticated behaviors.
Scientists from CNRS, Université de Lorraine, and Inrae have developed a cable-driven robot that can follow and interact with free-flying insects. The robot successfully studied the free flight of moths up to a speed of 3 meters/second, enabling researchers to better understand insect orientation strategies.
A recent study reveals that micro-bumps on butterfly wings, combined with a nanoscale wax layer, shatter and spread raindrops to minimize damage. This natural defense mechanism reduces the impact force on delicate surfaces, protecting against physical harm and hypothermia risk.
A new study finds that temperate insects are as threatened by climate change as tropical species due to their inactive periods. The researchers analyzed insect populations and found temperatures close to optimal or critical limits, risking population decline and ecosystem disruption.
Scientists identified strong links between ecosystem groups leading to biomagnification of PFAS compounds in the river's aquatic food chain. The study found that PFAS accumulation occurs at each step of the food chain, including in humans who consume contaminated fish.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science discovered how plants recognize specific chemical signals in insect oral secretions to trigger their defense responses. The study reveals a complex molecular alarm system that helps plants develop 'immunity' against predators, providing new insights into plant defense mechanisms.
A PNNL-led study found that environmental changes are transforming forests worldwide, leading to a dramatic decrease in tree age and stature. Rising temperatures, carbon dioxide, and increased disturbances like wildfire and drought are contributing to this trend.
Researchers studied how hoverflies process visual information to control their flight movements, finding that descending neurons adapt like sensory neurons but also persistently fire like motor neurons. This unique integration of responses offers insights into the brain-behavior link in flies and potentially all vertebrates.
A new study reveals that global environmental changes are leading to a decrease in the age and stature of forests worldwide. Rising temperatures and carbon dioxide have been altering forest dynamics, causing increased stress and mortality among trees.
Researchers found that spiracle fluttering in insects enhances oxygen diffusion, reducing water loss during respiration. This unique breathing mechanism allows for efficient oxygen uptake, benefiting the insect's survival.
Researchers discovered a Jurassic stick insect that employed mimicry by resembling ferns to protect itself from predators. The discovery reveals the earliest known specializations for mimicry and defense in stick insects, dating back 165 million years. This finding sheds light on the evolution of these remarkable insects.
Scientists used virtual reality to simulate a naturalistic environment for insects, revealing their ability to use perspective and motion parallax to locate food sources. The study also showed that airflow cues play a crucial role in orienting flies, especially in the absence of visual cues.
Flying insects integrate visual, olfactory, and aerodynamic cues to locate objects in 3D space. Research using virtual reality revealed that Dipteran species use depth cues, wind tunnel-like airflow fields, and odor information to navigate.
Researchers discovered sword-tailed crickets stop mid-air when hearing loud bat calls, ensuring they fall away from predators. These crickets use high-amplitude threshold to distinguish between bat and harmless katydid calls in noisy rainforests.
A KAUST study investigates the insect's physical features and movement to evade sea dangers, revealing a highly water-repellant waxy coating and specialized body hairs. The team also discovers the insects' extraordinary acceleration, using it as inspiration for new liquid repellent technologies and materials design.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have discovered a molecular 'alarm' system in plants that protects them from predators. The study identified two novel receptor-like kinases, GmHAK1 and GmHAK2, which trigger defense responses in soybean leaves when exposed to oral secretions from the cotton leaf worm.
Researchers found that bats prefer moving katydid models over still or vibrating ones, posing a risk to both signalers and searchers during courtship. This study highlights the importance of predator avoidance in tropical ecosystems.
Researchers have identified specific proteins in bones that can help estimate the post-mortem submerged interval, which is challenging due to various environmental factors. The study found that certain proteins decrease or modify over time, providing potential biomarkers for estimating the length of time a body has been underwater.
A team of researchers has identified 122 peptides from the Asian citrus psyllid that may help combat citrus greening disease. The peptides are derived from the insect's own neuropeptides and have shown promise as potential insecticides for use in citrus groves.
Researchers developed a CRISPR/Cas9 protocol that allows genetic modification of whiteflies, which can lead to novel control strategies. The technique enables the deletion of genes in whiteflies, allowing scientists to investigate genetic control strategies for this devastating pest.
Researchers found that a common soil fungus can promote plant growth and boost defense responses in corn plants, suppressing pest growth. This discovery could be an valuable ally for organic corn growers facing challenges with insect control.
The European garden spider's population density in Switzerland has dropped alarmingly, with a decline of 140 times compared to the previous average value. This suggests an insect meltdown is affecting ecosystems, leading to impoverished conditions and potential collapse.
A meta-analysis of 166 long-term surveys across 1,676 sites worldwide reveals highly spatially variable global insect population trends, showing an average 9% per decade decline in terrestrial insects. In contrast, freshwater insect abundance increases by 11% per decade, possibly due to successful clean water efforts.
Researchers found that gypsy moth larvae feeding on fungal-infected poplar leaves grew faster and pupated earlier than those fed only on leaf tissue. Fungal spores contain important nutrients like amino acids, nitrogen, and vitamins, which enhance the caterpillars' performance.
Researchers analyze 13,000-year-old fossils to understand the origin of light-scattering nanostructures in insects, which create colorful iridescent colors. The study finds that these structures may have evolved as a means of camouflage, with similar color patterns maintained over hundreds of thousands of generations.
A team of researchers has identified the wallflower as a suitable model plant for discovering new cardenolides, which could lead to safer versions of heart disease and cancer treatments. The study provides a foundation for understanding the biosynthesis of cardenolides and their potential applications.
UC San Diego researchers have created soft, flexible robots using a new method that doesn't require special equipment or long manufacturing times. The 'flexoskeletons' are made from 3D printing and can be assembled quickly and easily, making them potentially suitable for large-scale deployment.
Researchers discovered fossils of a group called euthycarcinoids in Scotland, which share similarities with living myriapods. These findings provide an early aquatic ancestor to land-dwelling arthropods, bridging the gap between molecular divergence dates and terrestrial fossil records
Researchers found high concentrations of selenium in stream insects and spiders that eat them, indicating pollutants move from water to land as they form the food chain. The study showed that even streams without mining contamination can still have selenium-rich spiders, highlighting the persistence of toxic substances.
Research shows that bats rely on listening to their fellow bats' echolocation calls when hunting over insect-poor farmland. In contrast, they hunt individually in forest areas with more abundant prey. The study highlights the importance of population density for successful joint hunting and potential extinction threats
Researchers discovered an insect-specific metal-sensing receptor in the gut lining that plays a crucial role in regulating nutrient uptake and development. Inhibiting this receptor, called Hodor, was fatal in mosquitoes, making it a promising target for controlling mosquito populations and preventing disease transmission.
Scientists have been collecting soybean aphids in the Midwest for 18 years using an aerial insect trap network, revealing valuable insights into spatial and temporal migration patterns. The traps also capture other insects, including those expanding their range due to climate change or habitat suitability.
The disease-causing virus BYDV manipulates its host plant and aphid vector to create warmer regions for feeding, increasing the vector's heat tolerance. This allows certain aphids to thrive in warmer conditions, posing implications for crop health as the global climate warms.
A graduate student at the University of Illinois has discovered a new treehopper species named after Lady Gaga, showcasing the diversity of this bug group. The newly identified species, Kaikaia gaga, features unusual characteristics, including horned thoraxes and leg hairs, which differentiate it from other treehoppers.
A study by Ellen A. R. Welti and colleagues found that nutrient dilution in plants contributes to the decline of insect herbivores like grasshoppers. Climate cycles, such as El Niño Southern Oscillation, accounted for 40-54% of grasshopper population variation.
Anna Stöckl, a renowned biologist, has been appointed to the Young Academy for her exceptional research on insect visual recognition and processing. Her work focuses on understanding how hummingbird hawk-moths navigate through colorful patterns.
A new genus found in 99-million-year-old Burmese amber reveals the evolutionary origin of scorpionflies' distinctive long mouthparts. The discovery sheds light on the early evolution of pollinators and challenges previous assumptions about the development of fleas.
A new study reveals that crustaceans like shrimps and lobsters have a similar brain structure to insects, called mushroom bodies, which are essential for learning and memory. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that these structures are unique to insects.
A study by the University of Turku found that four damselfly species can catch and eat hundreds of thousands of insects during a summer, with chironomids being their favorite food. This has significant implications for understanding natural food web functions and the impact of predation on insect populations.
A team of researchers developed a fully packaged ultrathin arrayed camera inspired by the Xenos peckii eye, achieving high contrast clear images and super-resolution capabilities. The camera's unique configuration suppresses optical noise, resulting in improved image quality.
A Montana State University research team, led by Lindsey Albertson and Geoffrey Poole, is exploring the impact of caddisfly larvae on stream ecosystems. The study aims to understand how caddisflies influence nutrient processing and microbial communities in streams.
A study found that threshold-based insect management strategies, including conventional and organic pesticides, resulted in greater economic returns for small-scale tomato producers. Organic thresholds did not affect yields but had higher costs due to increased pesticide applications.
A Brazilian research group uses VideometerLab, a multispectral imaging instrument, to analyze pupae and detect dead or empty insects. The device provides precise data on sample quality, improving the efficiency of biological control.
A new species of hairy cicada, Maculaferrum blaisi, has been identified from a 100-million-year-old fossil in Labrador. The find sheds light on the region's insect biodiversity during the Cretaceous period, providing insights into the evolution of flowering plants and pollinating insects.
A recent CDC study shows that DEET and other EPA-approved repellents are highly effective against the invasive Asian longhorned tick. The study confirms that these personal protective measures can help prevent bites from both native and invasive tick species.
The Swedish Malaise Trap Project has documented 20 million insects collected over 15 years, providing a unique timestamp of the country's insect fauna. The project has identified over 1,300 new species and 87 previously unknown to science.
Researchers discovered functional diversity in TRPA1 receptors among mosquito species, affecting thermal sensitivity and citronella repellent efficacy. This study highlights the importance of considering species-specific traits for effective mosquito control.
A rapid DNA extraction and diagnostic method has been developed, allowing for same-day management decisions in insect-transmitted plant diseases. This technique reduced the identification time from two weeks to less than one hour.