Research on insects and their role in nature. Covers disease-carrying bugs, insect evolution, wildfire effects, and sensory circuitry.
Researchers from Utah State University and the University of Sheffield explore evolutionary predictability using data on cryptic body coloration in stick insects. They found that natural selection drives change, but environmental fluctuations and complex ecological processes limit prediction.
Researchers at Newcastle University have discovered a new form of 3D vision in praying mantises that works differently from previously known forms. This unique vision system allows mantises to detect movement and distance without detailed image matching, making it robust and efficient for processing.
Researchers have identified a pheromone from the Asian citrus psyllid that transmits citrus greening disease. The discovery enables the synthesis of the substance and use in traps to lure and kill the insect, reducing HLB incidence.
A new species of arachnid resembling a spider with a tail has been discovered in 100-million-year-old amber from Myanmar. The finding provides insight into arachnid evolution and suggests that tailed descendants may still be alive today.
A Brazilian startup has developed an AI-powered pest control system that uses IoT technology to help farmers apply agrochemicals at the right time and in the right amount. The system, which integrates integrated pest management techniques with machine learning algorithms, is expected to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Researchers at UC are studying the genetic development of spider eyes to find opportunities for research into human visual challenges. They found that spiders evolved from simple compound eyes to complex eyes over a short period of 50 million years, and that they use similar genetic pathways to build their eyes as insects do.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery at the cellular level, studying the unique adaptations of bacteria living inside cicada insects. These tiny organisms lost nearly all their genes to survive within their insect hosts and now rely on multiple types of bacteria working together to provide essential amino acids and vitamins.
Researchers have developed an automated bird recognition system using spectrographic analysis of bird calls and songs, improving accuracy by reducing background noise and applying pattern recognition techniques.
Researchers at Rothamsted Research have developed a simple mathematical model to predict the behavior of midge swarms, which can help protect crops from airborne pests. The model uses basic physics principles to simulate the complex flight dynamics of midges and predicts their dispersal patterns.
Entomologist Gia Aradottir from Rothamsted Research explores insect communication through chemical signals and sound-based interactions. Her experiments with aphids and parasitic wasps demonstrate the complex ways insects convey information to each other.
Glycans are complex structures composed of sugar molecules that play vital roles in cell communication, immunity, and inflammation. Researchers have created a library of enzymes to study glycans' functions, revealing their importance in health and disease. This discovery may lead to new diagnostics and therapeutics for various conditions.
The density and length of teeth on male bush-crickets' wings play a crucial role in altering the tone of their mating calls, with shorter files producing more musical calls and rigid files with higher tooth density producing lower tonal purity.
Researchers at Caltech have characterized the adaptations of Mono Lake flies, enabling them to crawl underwater without getting wet. The flies create a protective bubble around their bodies using an extreme water-repelling phenomenon called superhydrophobicity.
A Colorado State University team will research how a deadly citrus disease propagates and can be stopped, supported by a $1.2 million gift from Cutrale. The team aims to understand the spread of the disease and identify effective control methods.
Garry Sunter, a UTSA researcher, has received a $1 million award to develop an insect-based technology that delivers genetic therapies to improve the health of mature, vulnerable plants. The goal is to enable plants to thrive in challenging conditions such as drought and disease.
A Norwegian PhD candidate has discovered 30 new species of non-biting midges, using DNA barcoding to confirm the identities of the insects. The research provides significant contributions to the knowledge of this insect group and highlights the importance of DNA barcoding in understanding biodiversity.
Researchers discover that well-fed mosquitoes use a softer take-off technique to evade detection, utilizing their long legs and high wingbeat frequency. This strategy allows them to minimize tactile detection without compromising on take-off speed.
Researchers found mosquitoes make stealthy takeoffs with barely a push-off, instead relying on strong wing beats for lift. They can carry blood meals without issue, using sweeping wing movements to generate extra lift.
A long-term study reveals a significant decrease in the numbers of the 2-spot ladybird on lime trees due to the invasion of harlequin ladybirds. The invasive species accounts for up to 70% of all recorded ladybirds and may drive population changes through predation.
Researchers successfully built a gene drive to reduce female fertility in malaria-spreading mosquitoes, but mutations soon arose that blocked the spread of new genes. This study documents the emergence of resistance and will help improve future gene drives.
Researchers used genetic sequencing to confirm that Ball's Pyramid stick insects are the same species as Lord Howe Island's, making them officially resurrected. The discovery provides hope for reintroducing the insect into its native home on Lord Howe Island.
Researchers have analyzed DNA of living and dead Lord Howe Island stick insects, confirming their species identity and increasing likelihood of successful reintroduction. The study highlights the importance of museum collections in taxonomic validation.
Researchers from Finland's Universities of Turku and Helsinki have identified dozens of prey species consumed by adult dragonflies using DNA analysis of faecal samples. The study provides unprecedented specificity on the position of dragonflies in natural food webs.
Researchers at Lund University have discovered an optimal speed for certain insects when they fly, consuming the least amount of energy. Flying slowly or fast requires the most effort, with a moderate speed of 2-3 meters per second being the most energy-efficient.
New research suggests that residual human odour on soiled clothes acts as an elicitor of host-seeking behaviour in bed bugs. This could lead to the dispersal of bed bugs through dirty laundry, particularly when left exposed in sleeping areas.
Researchers discovered mushroom bodies in mantis shrimp brains, a structure previously only found in insects. The findings suggest that these complex structures may have evolved early in the evolution of all arthropods.
According to a new study by CDC researchers, three-quarters of US counties are suitable for Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which transmit Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses. The mosquito species thrive in regions with mild winters and high humidity, with the eastern and southern US being most at risk.
Researchers estimate 2 billion species, with bacteria dominating the 'Pie of Life'. This new estimate incorporates DNA sequence data and parasite-host associations to arrive at a higher number than previous estimates.
Kasey Fowler-Finn's research explores how temperature variation affects treehoppers' ability to recognize potential mates and reproduce. The study aims to understand the potential impact on ecosystems if some species drop out due to temperature changes.
A tropical insect, Synthesiomyia nudiseta, has been detected in corpses in North West Italy, according to a study by Dr Stefano Vanin. The research suggests that climate change and globalization have enabled the fly's migration from China.
Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute have received a four-year DARPA award to develop insect-vectored viruses for disease-resistant maize. The project, titled Viruses and Insects as Plant Enhancement Resources (VIPER), aims to engineer genes into maize that can help combat disease, drought, and other yield-reducing stresses.
Scientists discover dodder parasite transmits insect feeding-induced signals among different hosts, triggering defense reactions in neighboring plants. The parasitic plant's vascular system connects with its hosts, enabling the transfer of warning signals.
Researchers at UCR discovered that infected insects emit an odor called prenol that repels nematodes looking for a new host. This finding supports the use of nematodes as a tool for controlling crop pests.
Researchers studied the aerodynamics of bats performing manoeuvres during flight, revealing their high level of control over wings. The study used flow visualisation techniques to analyse bat wing movement through the air, gaining insights into how these animals catch prey on the wing.
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.
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 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.
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.