Articles tagged with Insects
The USDA is investing $7.6 million in research to help manage pests and beneficial species that affect agricultural crops. The funding will support projects that promote beneficial organisms associated with pests and better understand the fundamental mechanisms of interactions between plants, pests, or beneficial species.
A study by the Technical University of Munich found that optimally distributed management within a region can lead to higher yields without insect species loss. This requires planning at the landscape level and considering multiple forms of management.
The spruce budworm's massive defoliation can lead to devastating consequences for the forest industry, causing an estimated $3 billion to $4 billion in losses over the next 30 years in New Brunswick alone. Defoliation increases the risk of natural fires igniting eight to 10 years after a budworm outbreak.
Adult female praying mantises in the newly identified genus Hondurantemna chespiritoi have evolved to mimic a leaf by changing color to green and developing larger forewings. This unique camouflage strategy is distinct from that of males, which retain their brown coloration and stick-like body configuration.
Researchers have found a crystallized form of DDT that is more effective against insects than the existing one, potentially leading to the development of a safer pesticide. The new DDT crystal form can be administered in smaller amounts while reducing environmental impact.
Researchers have found that red light has no significant effect on the activity of slow-flying, light-shy bats. In contrast, white and green light substantially reduce their activity levels, making red light a potential solution to mitigate habitat loss.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that migratory Nathusius and Soprano bats are attracted to artificial green light, which could disrupt their flight paths. The researchers exposed bats to brief periods of green light at a wavelength of 520nm, recording increased calling activity near the light source.
A recent study deployed green clay caterpillars across six continents to reveal that insects are responsible for the majority of predation observed. The findings suggest that predation pressure is stronger in the tropics due to the need for insects to innovate defense mechanisms against predators.
A study published in Journal of Cleaner Production found that cricket farming can be a more environmentally sustainable way to produce animal source foods. The research compared cricket production to broiler chicken production and identified areas for further improvement, such as exploring alternative feed sources.
Replacing beef with insect-based foods could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and free up vast areas of land, according to a new study. The researchers found that eating more insects or imitation meat could halve global consumption of animal products, freeing up 1680 million hectares of land.
A team of researchers has discovered that parasitic fig wasps use odour sensors to find their host larvae within the fruit. The study, published in Journal of Experimental Biology, found that the wasp's ovipositor can detect carbon dioxide and other gases emitted by developing larvae.
Citrus greening, caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, starves trees of nutrients and damages roots. Researchers are developing novel therapies to kill insects or block bacteria transmission. A $6 million grant supports the project, which aims to establish a research pipeline and deploy treatments in greenhouses and groves.
Researchers found that traps baited with pheromone attract only a small fraction of overwintering stink bugs, which don't respond until daylight hours increase. Prevention is key to stopping brown marmorated stink bug invasions, and the use of traps during this time may not be effective.
Researchers modelled midge swarm cohesion and found that the faster individual midges fly, the stronger gravitational-like force they experience. This speed-dependent force increases with distance from the centre of the swarm.
Scientists at UC Riverside's Akbari lab have successfully created a strain of red-eyed mutant wasps using CRISPR gene-slicing technology. The goal is to better understand the biology of wasps and other insects to control pests that destroy crops or spread diseases like malaria.
Researchers tested house fly survival on erythritol and found flies died no faster than if fed water alone, suggesting starvation, not toxicity, is the cause of death.
Tel Aviv University researchers studied whiteflies' takeoff method, finding they use wingtip air resistance to stabilize before spreading wings. This technique may be applied to miniaturized drones for improved stability during takeoff.
Research by Indiana University geographers reveals a 15% increase in annual water yield resulting from forest damage caused by the hemlock woolly adelgid. The study highlights concerns about water quality as rainfall runs off more quickly, carrying higher concentrations of nutrients.
Researchers have discovered the oldest specimens of insects from the bed bug genus in Oregon, dating back to around 5,100 and 11,000 years ago. The remains were identified as relatives of the common bed bug, but were not the bed bugs found in hotel rooms.
A North Carolina State University study reveals a significant shortfall in refuge cropland planting, potentially increasing Bt crop pest resistance. Researchers identified factors influencing growers' willingness to plant refuge crops, including financial incentives and high-yield non-BT seed.
A new Oxford University collaboration analyzed mosquito wing movements to understand flight dynamics. The study revealed two novel aerodynamic mechanisms, including trailing-edge vortices and rotational drag, that enable high-frequency flight.
Researchers studied a rare cricket family, grigs, to understand the evolution of sound generation in orthopterans. They found that grigs' wings represented an early transitional stage between fossilized ancestors and modern bush-crickets.
Researchers found that reducing the number of species in a grassland ecosystem can cause remaining species to flower earlier, similar to the effects of climate change. The study suggests that future changes in biological timing could be much bigger than expected, with potential cascading effects on ecosystem dynamics.
The robber fly has exceptional vision thanks to a unique arrangement of lenses, enabling it to spot prey over half a metre away in under half a second. Its 'lock-on' strategy allows it to adapt mid-air and catch its prey with precision, making it a potential model for drone design.
A new species of fungus gnat has been discovered in Finland, with the scientific name Sciophila holopaineni honoring Tuomas Holopainen. The insect thrives in shadowy environments and is part of a larger group of insects that can indicate the state of natural biodiversity.
Researchers at Yale University and Vanderbilt University have discovered a common bacterium that can be used to sterilize male insects, potentially controlling disease-bearing mosquitoes and agricultural pests. The discovery of two genes encoded by Wolbachia bacteria can completely sterilize male fruit flies.
Researchers found that moths in the subfamily Arctiinae mimic wasps to evade birds and other predators. However, their nearly perfect resemblance is not due to learning from experience, as previously thought, but rather to deceive actual wasps into thinking they are part of the same species, thereby avoiding attack.
Researchers found that man-made disruptions in natural flow patterns contribute to reductions in both the abundance and diversity of fish and insects. The study provides a scientific basis for establishing ecological flows in North Carolina's major river basins.
Researchers sequenced over 1,000 stick insect genomes to study early phases of speciation, finding that genetic differences across the genome are crucial for distinguishing between species. The study suggests that rapid reversals of speciation can occur when distinct species cross paths again.
Researchers found that DEET and PMD-based sprays were the most effective at repelling Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, while wearable devices showed little to no effect. The study tested five wearable devices and five spray-on repellents, concluding that consumers should seek out the most effective products to avoid mosquito bites.
Researchers found that male flies are attracted to specific flash frequencies from female wings, with a preference for young females' slower wing beats of 178Hz. The study suggests that wing movement contributes to mate selection and may be a common phenomenon in other insects.
Researchers found that hemocyanin, an oxygen-transporting protein, is highly expressed in Asian citrus psyllids infected with the bacterium causing citrus greening. The protein may signal an immune response to infection and could be harnessed to help control disease spread.
A new study found that distantly related carnivorous plants, including pitcher plants, share similar genetic changes associated with their ability to digest insects. The research suggests that the evolutionary routes to carnivory may be limited and that these plants have co-opted ancient proteins to create digestive enzymes.
The release of genetically modified insects for pest control could lead to contamination in organic crops, harming farmers and eroding consumer confidence. International trade could be disrupted if detected contaminants are met with import bans.
Researchers discovered that fruit fly steering muscles are divided into two types, with tonic muscles always in use for fine-tuned adjustments and phasic muscles used for rapid movements. This unique organization enables efficient flight control.
A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that stink bugs can contaminate wine with stress compounds, affecting its quality. The researchers discovered that pressing is a key step in releasing these compounds, and that limiting stink bugs to three per grape cluster could improve wine quality.
University of California Riverside researchers identify amino acid taste receptor Ir76b playing key role in insect identification of umami taste. The discovery sheds light on insect food choice and potential targets for controlling insect populations.
The Venus flytrap captures insects to extract nutrients and energy. Researchers found that the plant produces additional energy by oxidizing amino acids from its prey.
Researchers discovered that a specific bacterial species in moth gut microbes produces an antimicrobial peptide called mundticin KS, which defends its host against pathogens and promotes symbiosis. This finding has implications for agriculture and health, potentially leading to new biocontrol strategies and novel antibiotics.
A Tulane University study reveals that using cockroach bait alone can significantly reduce asthma symptom days in children, with 47 fewer days reported over the course of a year. The intervention also led to lower numbers of unscheduled clinic visits and emergency room trips.
Researchers found that male fruit flies consistently choose the female mate that would produce the most offspring, even when impaired senses were removed. The cognitive process of making rational choices is a unique human trait, but this study provides evidence that fruit flies can also make such decisions.
Scientists have measured mass insect migrations in UK skies, with up to 3.5 trillion insects migrating annually over southern England. The movements are comparable to significant oceanic migrations and provide essential ecological services, including pollination and predation of crop pests.
A decade-long study in southern UK reveals an annual mean of 3.37 trillion insects migrating above the region, comprising 3200 tons of biomass. The majority of migration occurs during daytime, with intensity greatest on warm days.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have discovered a class of peptides that can kill insect larvae, producing up to four times more compounds than previously thought possible. The peptides, known as rhabdopeptide/xenortide peptides (RXPs), are produced by bacteria and play a crucial role in infection.
Researchers discovered that jumping water striders adjust their leg movements to prevent the water surface from breaking, allowing them to achieve maximum jump speeds. By studying the biomechanics of these near-vertical jumps, scientists built a mathematical model to explain the behavior and verified its predictions with actual data.
Common insecticides like neonicotinoids significantly reduce populations of predatory insects in North American and European farming systems, posing a threat to crop yields. The use of integrated pest management strategies is recommended to conserve beneficial insect species.
Scientists from Utah State University and US Environmental Protection Agency report significant shifts in insect species frequencies relative to historical conditions. Over 70% of species have altered habitats, with nearly all historically common species found in fewer streams and rivers than expected.
Scientists have developed new retroreflective materials inspired by insect compound eyes, offering improved color and effectiveness for safety measures. These new materials can be adjusted to change color and brightness, reducing fading over time.
A pioneering study of invertebrates has uncovered 1445 viruses, including several new families, revealing people have only scratched the surface of the world of viruses. The research, led by Professor Edward Holmes, suggests these viruses have been associated with invertebrates for potentially billions of years.
Using swarms of sensor-equipped biobots and remote-control technology, researchers create detailed maps of unfamiliar environments. The mapping process involves releasing the biobots into a defined area, which are then stitched together to form a comprehensive map, useful for locating survivors after a disaster.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Bristol found that LED lights are less attractive to nuisance insects compared to traditional filament lamps. The study, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and Integral LED, used customised traps at 18 field test sites across south-west England.
The black blow fly genome sequencing project provides a major resource for researchers studying unusual or dangerous insects. The study may benefit human health by advancing wound care and estimating postmortem interval, while also improving pest management through better understanding of insecticide sensitivity and resistance.
Scientists have developed machine learning algorithms to recognize insect feeding patterns causing devastating damage worldwide, including citrus greening through probing on host tissues. The technology enables rapid screening and disruption of pathogen transmission, benefiting agriculture, livestock, and human health.
Researchers found that tooth shape influenced diet and feeding biomechanics, with selection favoring maximum damage, not just force or energy. The study used 3D-printed replicas of ancient mammal teeth to test the impact of different diets on early mammals.
A study by University of Nottingham researchers found that giant hissing cockroach species adapt to either 'lover' or 'fighter' strategies for winning females, with Flat-horned cockroaches being non-aggressive and focusing on sneaky mating, while Wide-horned cockroaches are aggressive combatants.
Scientists analyzed insect feeding damage to thousands of leaf fossils from Patagonia, Argentina, and found evidence that ecosystems there recovered twice as fast as in the United States. The findings suggest that Patagonia's distance from the impact crater in Mexico may have contributed to the rapid recovery of insect diversity.
Research finds that insects can contribute well-rounded meals with essential minerals like calcium, copper and zinc. Crickets have higher levels of iron than other insects, making them a promising source of this crucial nutrient.
Brazilian researchers have identified a new species of dragonfly named Erythrodiplax ana, characterized by its brown spot on each wingtip and bluish waxy body coating. The discovery highlights the importance of urban areas as habitats for biodiversity, with the species found near a spring used to draw off water in an urban area.
Researchers study water strider legs to understand how they can walk on water without displacing it, shedding light on a long-standing scientific mystery. By analyzing the shadows cast by their legs, scientists have confirmed key parameters that allow them to perform this remarkable feat.
Researchers will investigate how adaptations in one insect species allow others to follow, generating new biodiversity. The study focuses on the apple maggot fly and its parasitoid wasps, exploring how shifting life histories impact species interactions and ecosystem diversity.