Articles tagged with Insects
Scientists have discovered a new genus and species of mosquito in Myanmar amber dating back 100 million years, indicating that anopheline mosquitoes were present during this time period. This finding sheds light on the history of malaria and may offer clues on how its modern-day life cycle evolved.
Researchers discovered that spittlebug nymphs use their foam bubbles to breathe, but only protrude their abdomens when startled. The insects can also consume oxygen within the larger bubble chamber during their final life stage.
Spotted lanternflies modify their diet and coloration to become distasteful and signal this to predators. The insects accumulate specific chemicals from tree juices, making them toxic to birds, which learn to avoid them based on their bright colors.
A University of Oklahoma study found that insects not only crave salt but also search for it in their habitats. The researchers discovered that insects from 'bland to salty' grasslands were attracted to plots with simulated cow urine, indicating a preference for sodium.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland examines consumers' intentions to consume foods of insect origin among vegans, non-vegan vegetarians, and omnivores. Vegans held the most rigid negative attitude toward consuming foods of insect origin, while non-vegan vegetarians showed the most positive attitude towards eating insects.
University of Utah engineers create low-power sensors that can detect organic compounds emitted by corn plants when attacked by insects or weeds. These sensors will alert farmers to potential threats, potentially increasing crop yields and reducing damage to biomass production.
Researchers found that body-painting provides protection against bloodsucking insects, with white stripes repelling them more effectively. The discovery is based on experiments using plastic models and may have ancient origins, as similar markings were found on Neanderthal cave walls.
A study of the European gypsy moth genome found divergent proteins involved in muscle development, which may affect flight. The research also identified altered gene expression in response to viral infections, suggesting new avenues for biological control.
Researchers studied wild crickets for ten years and found that those who invested more in reproduction showed signs of aging, including reduced chirping and increased fighting losses. The study suggests that aging may be driven by energy allocation towards reproduction rather than decline, challenging the idea that aging is inevitable.
A study reveals that winged insects likely evolved from a ground-dwelling common ancestor with long antennae and segmented abdominal appendages. The findings suggest that wings did not evolve in aquatic environments, but rather for aerial descent, as the ancestral Pterygota species returned to life on the ground.
Researchers found that small limbs like insect legs can execute fast movements without central nervous system control, thanks to dynamic passive forces generated by the flexor muscle. These findings contradict previous notions of how small limbs move quickly and highlight the importance of active-muscle and opponent interactions.
Researchers have created bioinspired artificial compound eyes with improved visual properties, enabling better motion detection and light sensitivity. The innovative structure consists of tiny independent repeating visual receptors called ommatidia, grown on top of convex glass domes with antireflective and water-repellent nanostructures.
New research reveals that plants are highly sensitive to touch, with repeated touching retarding growth by up to 30%. The study found that a major genetic defense response is triggered within 30 minutes of being touched, altering 10% of the plant's genome.
A research study published in Ecology Letters found that plants using a mix of chemical compounds for defense are more effective at deterring insect pests than those relying on single compounds. The type of bouquet matters, with blends having multiple defensive chemicals reducing damage by up to 37%.
Researchers Max Mikel-Stites and Anne Staples investigated Ant-Man's microscale respiration, finding that superhero suits contain a combination of air pumps, compressors, and molecular filters to breathe while insect-sized. Their study could lead to new microfluidic technologies with potential consumer benefits.
Researchers analyzed evolutionary relationships among hemipteroid insects, revealing diversification around the Carboniferous period. The placement of Psocodea in the tree remains unresolved.
Researchers found vast network of interconnected termite mounds in northeastern Brazil, covering area similar to Great Britain, with soil excavated over 10 cubic kilometers. The mounds are up to 4,000 years old and were formed by a single termite species that accessed dead leaves safely.
Researchers used radar data to observe wildlife behavior during the eclipse, finding a decrease in daytime activity but no increase in nighttime activity. Insect and bird behavior was stifled by the sunset-like sky produced by the eclipse, with some sites experiencing a sudden burst of activity during totality.
Researchers from the University of Barcelona used chironomid subfossils to reconstruct Holocene temperatures in the Iberian Peninsula, showing a rise in temperatures during the Holocene Climate Optimum and a decline after its onset. The study provides a promising tool for understanding climate evolution and natural changes.
Researchers at New Mexico State University have developed an optimal protocol for shipping and handling mosquitoes for population control methods. Tightly packing mosquitoes at a rate of about 240 per cubic centimeter resulted in the highest survival rates.
Research detects 69 pharmaceutical compounds in stream insects, which can pass to predators in water and on land, exposing them to therapeutically-relevant doses. The study highlights the chronic drug pollution concentrated in aquatic insects and its potential ecological consequences.
A new study found that picaridin-containing insect repellents can be lethal to larval salamanders, causing severe mortality and developmental deformities. The research suggests that environmentally realistic concentrations of picaridin may increase the abundance of adult mosquitoes due to reduced predation pressure.
A recent study by University of Delaware researchers found that residential yards dominated by non-native plants have fewer arthropods, leading to a decline in bird populations. The research suggests that prioritizing native plant species can support biodiversity and sustain wildlife.
A recent study found that plants with strong defense capabilities against insects exhibit slower growth rates and compromised reproductive success. The research suggests a trade-off between defense and growth in plant biology, where investing more energy in defense reduces resources available for growth and reproduction.
Researchers at IUPUI have spotted a new type of blow fly in Indiana, indicating shifting species populations due to climate change. The Lucilia cuprina fly was previously known to populate southern states but has now been found as far north as Michigan.
Climate-driven crash in arthropod populations has significant implications for rainforest ecosystems and biodiversity. The study found that insect biomass declined by up to 60-fold between 1976 and 2013, leading to a major bottom-up trophic cascade.
Researchers discovered that animals swish their tails to generate a curtain of breeze that wafts insects away. The study found that the animals were swinging their tails three times faster and using 27 times more energy than expected, but still only intercepted one insect every 90 seconds.
Researchers at the University of York have discovered a protein in fruit flies that regulates insulin and is also found in mosquitoes carrying diseases like malaria and yellow fever. This finding opens new pathways for drug design and could lead to better understanding of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's.
A newly-discovered moth species, Admetovis icarus, has been identified with a distinctive flame-shaped mark on its forewing. The moth prefers high-elevation habitats and can be spotted in the mountains of western North America during June and August.
Scientists and legal scholars warn that DARPA's Insect Allies program could be misused for biological warfare due to the ease of dispersing genetically edited viruses into fields. The technology has the potential to rapidly alter crop properties, raising concerns about its peaceful use.
Scientists from Shinshu University have analyzed the genetic DNA of Stenopsyche caddisflies, a common Japanese insect delicacy. The study reveals that these insects originated in southern Asia and dispersed globally over millions of years.
Malaria parasites have evolved to replicate in sync with mosquitoes' feeding cycles, causing regular bouts of fever. Scientists discovered that these parasites are more infectious to mosquitoes during the day, and their replication patterns likely evolved to optimize transmission.
A recent study found that marketing insect-based food as pleasurable and enjoyable is more effective in changing attitudes towards these foods. The research team asked participants to view advertisements highlighting either the environmental or health benefits of insect-based food, or those promoting its taste and luxury.
Researchers found that DEET interferes with Caenorhabditis elegans' neural circuitry, jumbling their response to certain odors. This knowledge could help develop more effective DEET alternatives.
Scientists find DEET confuses critters by messing with neurons that help sense surroundings. Researchers also discover genetic and cellular mechanisms underlying response to the chemical.
A team from Imperial College London used gene drive to completely block the reproductive capacity of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae. The technology successfully transmitted genetic modifications that caused female infertility and population collapse.
A species of seed-feeding fly is critically damaging orchid seeds, threatening their reproduction. The fly reduces seed production by over 95% in five species, putting already-endangered orchids at risk.
A team of researchers observed an adult male praying mantis catching and devouring guppies in a pond in Karnataka, India. The insect returned five days in a row, catching a total of nine fish with impressive learning abilities.
New fossils of Mesozoic pollinating lacewings provide insight into the niche diversity, chemical communication, and defense mechanisms of ancient pollinators. The findings suggest that coevolution between pollinators and host plants under partitioned pollination niches promoted their species diversification.
Researchers created a database of over 500 dragonfly specimens and developed an algorithm to differentiate unique wing shapes. They found similarities in distribution across families and species, proposing a developmental model for pattern formation involving inhibitory signals and random zone emergence.
A developmental model was constructed to recreate the intricate patterns of secondary veins in insect wings. The study analyzed images from 232 species and found that the model effectively recreated venation patterns across three orders.
Researchers developed an autonomous flapping-wing robot to study demanding insect flight tasks like takeoff, landing and evasive maneuvers. The robot accurately replicated fruit fly's rapid banked turns using a passive approach to control the maneuver dynamics.
Researchers at UConn have created a tiny neuro-controller that can precisely control the movement of cyborg cockroaches. The system, which includes an inertial measurement unit and real-time feedback, enables operators to steer the insect in desired directions.
A study found that men exceed women in university and federal entomology jobs by a roughly 3-to-1 ratio, despite women earning over 40% of doctoral degrees in entomology. The research highlights the need for gender equity in academia and government.
A new study reveals that climate change is driving an increase in insect herbivory damage on plants, with warmer winters and urbanization having opposing effects. The research used herbarium specimens to track changes in insect damage over more than a century, providing valuable insights into the impact of climate change.
A new study projects a 50-100% increase in pest-induced crop losses in European wheat and 30-40% increases in North American maize, even with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Insect population growth is expected to be fueled by warmer temperatures, leading to significant pressure on grain producers.
A new study predicts that rising insect populations will lead to significant crop losses due to increased metabolic rates and population growth with temperature. Global yield losses for major crops are expected to increase by 10-25% per degree of surface warming, threatening the already fragile global food supply.
Researchers project that insect activity will increase along with temperatures, boosting worldwide losses of rice, corn and wheat by 10-25 percent. For a 2-degree Celsius rise in surface temperatures, median losses in yield due to insect activity would be 31% for corn, 19% for rice and 46% for wheat.
Rising global temperatures will lead to increased pest pressure and crop losses, especially in temperate regions, with wheat, rice, and maize facing substantial declines. Crop losses are projected to rise by 10-25% per degree of warming, with the most severe impacts expected in countries like France and China.
A plant virus manipulates aphid species to its advantage by increasing the nutrients in host plants, making it easier for aphids to feed. This allows late-arriving aphids to outcompete early arriving ones, leading to boosted reproductive success and increased spread of the virus.
Researchers have identified a key Sox gene that regulates segmentation during spider development, similar to its role in insects. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary secrets behind arthropod body formation.
Virginia Tech researchers have discovered a way to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable pest controls using pheromones, which can be used to lure stink bugs away from cash crops. This could save farmers millions of dollars on pest control costs.
Biologists at Rice University have discovered a new trophic interaction between love vines and gall-forming wasps. The study found that the vines attack tumor-like growths called galls made by the wasps, leaving behind mummified adult wasps.
Chagas disease, caused by a parasite, has spread to the US and other countries, carrying a high risk of heart disease. Early detection is critical for treatment, which can be cured with medications having a 60-90% success rate.
Researchers at the University of Delaware discovered that plants emit scent cues when under attack by insects, recruiting birds to provide a food source while defending crops. The study used Play-Doh larvae and dispensers to replicate plant volatiles, finding that birds were attracted to these cues more strongly than to a control measure.
Researchers found that fruit fly wings are not optimized for aerodynamics but rather help detect scents, which is crucial for survival. The wings' unique motion 'scoops' streams of odor right to the insect's antennae, enabling it to find food and mates.
New study finds that 40% of plant material is removed by insects and fungi each year, supporting diverse communities of organisms. Contrary to expectations, plants don't face trade-offs in defending themselves against different consumers, with some species protected against everything and others devoured.
African scientists developed diverse practices to combat tsetse flies, including late-season forest burning and innoculations, which were later adopted by Europeans as part of their 'science'. The book highlights the importance of understanding the connections between human and environmental mobilities in knowledge production.
A genomic study reveals that insects' ability to detect airborne odors evolved long before wings and was an adaptation for terrestrial life. All insect species examined possess specialized odorant receptors, which were present at the beginning of insect evolution.
Scientists found aphids change the quality of plant sap depending on the infested plant part, benefiting from these changes. This 'niche construction' enables aphids to thrive on specific host plants.