Articles tagged with Insects
Researchers recommend reducing water usage for agriculture, using less road salt, and routing urban salt discharges to minimize freshwater damage. High salt levels can be toxic to aquatic organisms and kill fish and other food sources.
A new caddisfly species, Drusus sharrensis, has been discovered in Kosovo's Sharr National Park. The discovery highlights the country's unique biodiversity hotspot and raises concerns about the impact of human activities on aquatic ecosystems.
A recent study found that corn plants may prioritize defense against caterpillars over aphids, potentially making them more susceptible to aphid attacks. This metabolic trade-off could lead to the development of new corn varieties with naturally increased resistance to certain insects.
Researchers discovered that Venus flytraps use action potentials to determine the size and nutrient content of struggling prey. The plants then balance the cost and benefit of hunting by adjusting their production of costly ingredients.
A new genus and species of 'horned necked' praying mantis, Cornucollis masoalensis, has been discovered in a French museum collection. The insect features distinctive speckled patches on its head and pale color with opaque wings, suggesting it dwells on the undersides of leaves.
Scientists have discovered four new fungus gnat species in the Scandinavian north, shedding light on regional insect diversity. The newly described taxa represent a small fraction of the numerous undescribed northern fly species, with more awaiting formal description.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have developed a novel method for noninvasive genetic sampling using spider webs. This approach enables biomonitoring without direct observation or disturbance of target organisms, with potential applications in conservation research, pest management, and biogeography studies.
Researchers at Newcastle University have confirmed that praying mantises use 3D vision to hunt, with a new model to improve visual perception in robots. The team used custom-made glasses with one blue and one green lens to show insects any desired images.
Researchers found that maintaining potassium levels low in an insect's blood is crucial for survival during cold exposure. The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that the Malpighian tubules play a key role in regulating salt balance in insects.
A recent survey of praying mantises in Rwanda revealed a significant increase in species diversity, with 28 new records added to the country and 20 new regional records discovered. The study highlights the importance of further research into insect fauna in Rwanda's national parks.
Researchers have discovered that aphids deplete all the amino acids in sugary sap they consume and then break them down to build essential amino acids from scratch. This process allows the insects to survive on an unbalanced diet, similar to other animals with gut microbes or symbionts that provide additional nutrition.
In Texas, a citizen science program utilizing public surveillance tracked the distribution and infection prevalence of triatomine insects, showing 63% infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. The study suggests that citizen collections are a valid way to document insect distribution, providing a unique sample for disease vector studies.
Researchers identify five chemicals that trigger rice plants to fend off white-backed planthoppers, reducing the need for pesticides. The chemicals, phenoxyalkanoic acid derivatives, have shown potential in controlling insect pests and protecting ecosystems.
A new special volume compiles research on tephritid fruit flies, a major agricultural pest worldwide. The study resolves species boundaries using multiple lines of evidence, improving the application of biologically-based pest control methods for international horticultural trade.
A new study reveals helpful bacteria living inside the Asian citrus psyllid affect its ability to spread the citrus greening disease pathogen. The infection alters the insect's metabolism and triggers an immune response, potentially increasing the pathogen's transmission.
Researchers identify unique expansions of gene families related to chemoreception and feeding in Rhodnius prolixus, the kissing bug that transmits Chagas disease. These findings may lead to novel approaches for controlling or eliminating the disease by targeting specific genes or processes.
Researchers found that cockroaches activate slow twitch muscle fibers only when chewing on tough material, generating a bite force of up to 50 times stronger than their body weight. This unique ability allows them to efficiently exert powerful forces with minimal head volume required.
Researchers discover Black mouse-eared bat consumes fruits, contradicting previously believed strict insectivorous diet. The finding may suggest the species plays a role as a seed disperser and highlights the complexity of Neotropical bats' eating habits.
A study published in ZooKeys found that smaller stonefly species were more capable of recolonizing Isle Royale Island due to their better flight abilities. In contrast, larger stoneflies struggled to cross the lake despite being well-suited for aquatic environments.
Researchers discovered that backswimmers can extract oxygen from the surrounding water using their air bubbles, extending dives by up to 20%. The insects adjust the buoyancy of their bubble by replacing nitrogen with gases like helium and sulphur hexafluoride.
Researchers from Mississippi State University found that pre-treated neonicotinoid seed treatments yield better and suffer less damage than untreated crops from the rice water weevil. In areas of high insect pressure, seed treatments show an economic advantage.
A device that hijacks the mating signals of Asian citrus psyllids may help provide an environmentally friendly system for preventing citrus greening, a devastating disease that has cost the Florida citrus industry billions of dollars. The researchers' vibration trap uses acoustic methods to lure male psyllids into traps, where they are...
Researchers tested 10 commercially available products for mosquito repellency, finding that DEET-based products were the most effective, while some natural alternatives showed promise, including lemon eucalyptus oil and Victoria's Secret perfume.
New research shows that deciduous trees can increase resilience of river ecosystems by providing food for insects, which in turn support fish, birds, and bats. Trees also offer a cooling influence and an annual energy input through falling leaves.
A study by Michigan State University researchers found that changes in a new species of fruit fly have an almost domino effect on several species, including parasitic wasps. The research reveals how these sequential events can generate a large number of species in a short period.
Researchers found that glycosidase-silenced larvae are more susceptible to predators and have reduced survival rates, indicating the importance of detoxification. The study reveals a novel mechanism where removing a sugar molecule from a plant's defensive compound can result in detoxification.
Researchers at CWRU identified key neurons in cockroach brain that control movement, including speed and direction. By stimulating these neurons, scientists can replicate the insect's movements, shedding light on how insects navigate and providing insights into robotic navigation systems.
Scientists at Jena University have discovered how bacteria infect plants by hijacking the regulation of flower development, preventing normal growth and sexual reproduction. The study sheds light on the molecular reasons behind this phenomenon, where infected plants 'become the living dead'.
Insects like stick insects can walk up vertical surfaces using adhesive pads on their feet, but scientists long believed that wet and dry feet required different mechanisms to adhere. New research reveals that the fluid on their feet plays a crucial role in controlling adhesion, with potential applications in modern devices.
Scientists at UC Riverside have sequenced the genomes of five nematodes to understand parasite biology and evolution. The study identified gene families involved in parasitism and found instructions for turning genes on and off, shedding light on biological mysteries.
The South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, threatens US tomato crops with potential crop loss of up to 100%, prompting Virginia Tech-led recommendations for quarantine measures and monitoring programs. World production of tomatoes is approximately 163 million tons annually.
Research on the native ifit tree highlights the trade-off between increasing tree growth and reducing wood density due to insect damage. Conservation efforts may compromise the ecosystem's balance, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.
Entomologist Dr. George Poinar Jr. discovers a previously unknown flea genus and species in fossilized Dominican amber, characterized by unique features such as five-segmented maxillary palps. The discovery also reveals the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria similar to plague-causing pathogens and trypanosomes.
A study by University of Texas at El Paso researchers found that 61% of kissing bugs in west Texas are infected with the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, which causes Chagas disease. The disease can lead to life-threatening symptoms like heart rhythm abnormalities and difficult eating or passing stool.
A caterpillar's feces induces corn plants to lower their defenses against insect predators, allowing the caterpillar to eat more and grow faster. This deception has likely evolved over thousands of years and may lead to the development of organic pesticides.
Researchers discovered that nocturnal moths rely on turbulent fluctuations in the airstream to determine wind direction, whereas songbirds do not. This ability helps them cope with wind when traveling at high altitudes and allows for more accurate navigation.
A new stink bug has been identified as the primary pest problem for soybean crops in Texas, causing economic damage. Entomologists are developing targeted control methods, including using trap crops and resistant varieties, to mitigate the issue.
New research from Wake Forest University reveals little difference in the force delivered by archerfish's water jets to targets at different distances. In a surprising twist, fish prefer closer targets when given the choice, likely due to time constraints for prey capture.
Researchers have identified phytol and coumarin as key compounds responsible for repelling mosquitoes in traditional sweetgrass. The study, presented at the American Chemical Society meeting, demonstrates a scientific basis for the folklore of using sweetgrass to deter biting insects.
Researchers discovered that chitosan, derived from insect and crustacean shells, can effectively destroy up to 90% of pathogens in selected cell cultures. This biopolymer has been found toxic to pathogenic microorganisms, disrupting their membranes without harming healthy cells.
Researchers found that a brown variation of the Timema cristinae insect species prevents strong divergent adaptation and speciation by carrying genes between green populations. The study highlights how natural selection can sometimes impede the formation of new species.
A team of biologists observed and analyzed the jumping behavior of water striders, revealing two phases: a dimple creation phase and a leg movement phase. Mathematical models were created to understand the surface tension forces involved in the jump, predicting optimal jumping performance.
A Japanese wasp has been found to control its zombie spider host to build a reinforced cocoon web for pupa development. The spiders were manipulated to remove their sticky spiral, reinforce radial and frame threads, and add decorative fibrous structures.
An international team of scientists developed a robotic insect that can jump on water using the natural mechanics of water striders. The robot exerts up to 16 times its own body weight on the water's surface, mimicking the insects' ability to perform extreme maneuvers like jumping and flying with ease.
A six-year study found that using narrow vegetation-free strips under trees can reduce damage from hemipteran insects, increasing tree growth and fruit yield. Supplemental irrigation also showed benefits in three of five years, with trees grown with irrigation having larger trunk cross-sectional areas.
A new species of insect has been discovered in South East Queensland, exhibiting sexual dichronism and intersexual phoresy. The newly recognized species, Cystococcus campanidorsalis, was identified by a University of Queensland graduate through physical characteristics and DNA sequence data.
Researchers at Clemson University are studying Bt toxin hybrids to control pest populations in corn. They found that some resistant insects have developed changes in susceptibility to the toxins, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and management strategies.
Researchers observed azure damselflies mating for two years, finding that older females and males were equally successful at finding mates and reproducing. The study provides insights into aging and population dynamics in insects, with potential implications for understanding mosquito and tsetse fly populations.
Insect-based food production could alleviate childhood malnutrition and provide a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock sources. The use of insects as food requires strict regulations and sanitary conditions due to disease and pesticide risks, according to the FDA.
The study, published in International Journal of Plant Sciences, reveals that Guam's trade winds play a vital role in fadang tree pollination. This discovery contradicts existing knowledge that all cycad species rely solely on insects for pollination.
A previously unknown leafhopper species has been found in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, threatening a listed threatened pinebarren smokegrass species. This discovery highlights the impact of climate change and human activities on ecosystems.
Two species of dengue and chikungunya-carrying mosquitoes are spreading rapidly across the globe, with new areas identified as suitable for their survival. The expansion threatens communities worldwide, particularly in Africa where records are sparse.
A new study reveals that hawkmoths' vision is finely attuned to the swaying of flowers in the breeze, enabling them to track wind-tossed flowers under low-light conditions. The researchers found that the moth's tracking responses were slower in dark conditions, but only when the artificial flower moved at high frequencies.
Scientists discovered that acquiring a group of bacterial symbionts enabled firebugs to feed on plant seeds, previously inaccessible to them. This adaptation led to the diversification of firebug species within a new ecological niche.
Researchers apply insect vision principles to develop an 'active vision' system, which locks onto the background and lets the target move against it. This bio-inspired algorithm performs robustly, running up to 20 times faster than state-of-the-art engineering algorithms.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country have identified key volatile compounds in damaged walnuts that attract insect pests, threatening California's walnut harvests. The team has developed a blend of these aromatic compounds to control pests sustainably and reduce pesticide use.
Vanderbilt University has been awarded a Grand Challenges Explorations Grant to develop a wearable insect-repellent device that creates a personal no-fly zone. The device aims to prevent mosquito-borne diseases by emitting a protective shield around the wearer.
Scientists at the University of Bonn discovered two new groups of viruses, Jonchet and Ferak, which are believed to have originated from insect viruses. The researchers found that these viruses are phylogenetically independent and do not multiply above 32 degrees Celsius, making human infection unlikely.
In 2013, godwits postponed arrival by over three weeks due to unseasonable weather, but still raised more young than usual. The birds' ability to cope with extreme weather may be beneficial for climate change mitigation.
A study by UC Riverside researchers used a computer model to simulate observed behavior in moths, finding that random walks can create the most efficient paths for discovering odor plumes. The simulations suggest that airborne robots programmed to contact an odor plume need not involve wind flow detection.