Articles tagged with Insects
A team of scientists found that male katydids can synchronize their chirps in the presence of a masking trill, with the ability to detect low-frequency components. The researchers used tiny hook electrodes to study the neural activity of katydids and discovered that an auditory neuron was involved in detecting these frequency components.
John Trumble, a renowned entomologist at UC Riverside, has been awarded the 2013 Oscar Lorenz Award for his outstanding contributions to research and extension education in the California vegetable industry. He has developed effective integrated pest management programs and strategies to reduce the use of toxic insecticides.
University of Minnesota researchers have developed a new approach for identifying potential environmental effects of releasing genetically engineered (GE) insects. The framework evaluates the entire range of potential effects, including those during transitory and steady state phases, providing improved guidance for ecological risk ass...
A new study from the University of Colorado Denver estimates that wind turbines killed over 600,000 bats in 2012, a significant blow to pollination and insect control. The study found that areas near the Appalachian Mountains had the highest bat fatality rates, with some species experiencing fatalities of up to 40%.
Researchers analyzed 143 billion pixels in 654,000 Landsat images to compile maps of forest loss and gain between 2000 and 2012. During this period, 888,000 square miles of forest were lost, while 309,000 square miles regrew.
A new experiment in Pennsylvania reveals insight into how insects fly and how to design tiny flying robots. The analysis improves understanding of insect flight and informs the design of small flying robots for various purposes.
Scientists have uncovered a 165-million-year-old fossil of copulating froghoppers, providing insight into the earliest record of insect mating. The discovery suggests that froghopper genital symmetry and mating position remained static for over 165 million years.
Research at Tel Aviv University suggests that homosexual behavior in insects and spiders is often a case of mistaken identity. In most cases, males mistake other males for females due to lack of time and energy to inspect their mates' gender. This behavior lacks potential benefits like procreation and can be costly.
A detailed annotated checklist of 275 scale insect species in Iran reveals a diverse range of pests affecting crops. The study's findings highlight the economic importance of these insects and the need for further research to improve pest control management.
A Canadian research team, led by a UC Riverside expert, has won the Hult Prize to develop insect-based meals for impoverished regions. Insects are excellent low-cost sources of protein and essential nutrients.
A new Dartmouth-Finnish study found that high-latitude moth populations are less susceptible to temperature changes, suggesting they may be partly buffered from the effects of rapid climate warming. The findings are important because moths are a key food source for birds and other predators.
Scientists tap into bug biology to design new materials, such as artificial ligaments and chemical-free pest control methods. The study of caddisfly silk reveals its unique properties, including water resistance and collagen-like behavior. Additionally, researchers use X-ray technology to better understand human muscle mechanics and po...
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have identified curved cog-like strips of opposing 'teeth' in the hind-leg joints of a plant-hopping insect, demonstrating precise synchronicity in leg movement. This natural gear mechanism bears remarkable engineering resemblance to those found on bicycles and car gear-boxes.
A new protein in Australian tarantula venom has been found to be highly toxic to the cotton bollworm, a major pest affecting crop yields. The orally active insecticidal peptide-1 (OAIP-1) shows potency similar to synthetic insecticides, offering potential for bioinsecticide applications.
A team of researchers from the University of Manchester used next generation sequencing techniques to analyze sub-fossilized insects in copal and found no evidence of ancient DNA. The study suggests that DNA survival in resin inclusions is unlikely, raising doubts about claims of DNA extraction from fossil insects in amber.
Moths hear at 80 kHz to detect bats, but this ability also leads to unnecessary sound impressions and energy waste. Researchers found that moths' eardrums are more sensitive than small insects', allowing them to survive in environments with high-frequency bat calls.
Brandeis researchers have discovered a previously unknown molecular temperature sensor in fruit flies, which belongs to a protein family responsible for sensing tastes and smells. The discovery provides insights into how insects respond to temperature and may help scientists develop more effective repellents or traps.
Researchers develop fast and accurate method to monitor biodiversity changes using crushed insect 'soup', comparable to traditional labor-intensive approaches. This breakthrough enables rapid detection of environmental shifts and endangered species, informing policy and conservation decisions.
Jocelyn Millar, a professor of entomology at UC Riverside, has been elected a fellow of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) for his outstanding contributions to entomology. He is recognized internationally as an expert in chemical ecology and has developed practical applications for detecting and managing insect populations.
Researchers studied temperature-driven changes in tea tortrix population dynamics, finding that desynchronization leads to more synchronous outbreaks. A mathematical model predicts population cycles under constant and seasonally driven temperature regimes, shedding light on how temperature influences insect populations.
The study highlights how digital macro photography and photo sharing websites are democratizing the study of biodiversity, allowing for more efficient identification and conservation efforts. The platform provides valuable metadata, such as date and location, which contribute to insect biology, taxonomy, and species conservation.
A recent study published by the USDA Forest Service found that the northeastern United States is a high-risk area for invasive forest pest invasions. The study used spatial data to demonstrate a highly aggregated geographical distribution of forest pest invasions in the region, with over 70% of species detected before 1940.
A new species of snow scorpionfly was discovered in Alaska, providing insights into the evolutionary origin of fleas. The insect belongs to a group that dates back over 145 million years, with fossil evidence supporting its Jurassic-era origins.
Scientists found they could use light to coax postharvest vegetables to produce more cancer-fighting antioxidants at certain times of day. This study suggests that storing fruits and vegetables in dark conditions may reduce their ability to keep daily rhythms.
Researchers discovered that grocery store produce continues to perceive light and alter its biology in response to circadian rhythms. This affects nutrient levels and phytochemicals, which have anti-cancer properties.
A global assessment of genetically modified crops reveals why some pests have adapted to Bt proteins in a few years, while others resisted for over 15 years. The study found conditions favoring sustained efficacy include rare resistance genes and abundant refuges.
A recent literature review published in Journal of Integrated Pest Management found that complaints about wild turkeys causing crop damage are often exaggerated. The study revealed that while wild turkeys can cause minor damage to certain crops and specialty operations, their impact is typically overstated.
Researchers have studied cicadas to understand their sound production, which is unique in the insect world. The cicada's chirp is nonlinear and involves a ribbed membrane that vibrates when its body deforms.
Researchers have identified a new gene in the jasmonate pathway that controls plant defenses without affecting growth. This finding could lead to improved crop resistance in agriculture by manipulating the jasmonate signaling pathway.
A WSU study found plantings of sweet alyssum attract spiders and predatory insects that prey on woolly apple aphids, reducing their populations. The discovery is a boon for both organic and conventional tree fruit growers.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully demonstrated the first controlled flight of a robotic insect, weighing less than a tenth of a gram, which achieves vertical takeoff, hovering, and steering. The achievement marks the culmination of over a decade's work in micromanufacturing and control systems.
In a surprising finding, researchers found that pikas prefer vegetation grazed on by caterpillars, which acts as natural fertilizer. This unusual partnership could have long-term implications for competition and food resources in northern mountain environments.
A global review reveals a cocktail of pressures contributing to declining pollinator populations, impacting crop yields and wild plant reproduction. Effective habitat networks, pesticide risk assessments, and innovative disease therapies are proposed solutions.
Scientists at UC Irvine and the University of Kentucky have created synthetic materials that mimic the geometry of kidney bean leaves, trapping bedbugs in seconds. The technology has the potential to provide a non-toxic solution for bedbug infestations, which can cause significant discomfort and distress.
Research found scale insects were 13 times more abundant on willow oaks in hot areas compared to cooler ones, with higher survival rates in hot greenhouses. The study suggests urban warming may lead to changes in pest abundance as natural forests also warm up.
Researchers have developed a new method for assessing biodiversity using DNA-soup from crushed-up insects and next-generation sequencing technology. This bulk-collected insect goo reveals diverse and poorly characterized insect communities, even in small areas.
Researchers discovered distinct gene expression patterns in Antarctic midge and Arctic springtail species, revealing unique strategies for coping with dehydration. The findings highlight the power of genomics in advancing polar science and uncovering previously undetected differences between these extreme ecosystems.
Evolutionary biologists combine traditional methods with genetic techniques to identify new species, revealing cryptic species that show little visible difference. The study uses scale insects as a model organism, analyzing over 400 samples to discover four new species.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have unearthed a diverse group of fossilized green lacewing insects, revealing at least 10 new species. The findings provide valuable insights into ancient life and the formation of modern natural communities.
Research finds that mosquitoes' odor receptors become less sensitive to DEET after brief exposure, allowing them to seek out attractants despite the presence of the repellent. The effect lasts up to three hours and is thought to be a form of habituation similar to human olfactory adaptation.
Researchers have identified two alarm pheromones and 17 compounds in the outer protective layer of bed bug skin, which may play an important role in aggregation behavior. These findings suggest that alarm pheromones could be used to increase the likelihood of bed bugs coming into contact with control agents.
A small robot was driven by a male silkmoth to track down its sex pheromone, demonstrating the potential for insect-inspired odor tracking. The researchers hope to apply this technology to autonomous robots that can detect environmental spills and leaks.
Researchers found that the amino acid composition of red oak and sugar maple leaves is strikingly similar, contradicting conventional wisdom. Protein quality in oak leaves was higher than in maple leaves, partly explaining why maple trees are less nutritious.
Researchers found a unique social structure in a small town where males and females coexist in the same roosts. This arrangement allows females to conserve energy and ensures faster growth of their young. In contrast, lowland areas have female-only childrearing colonies.
A Kansas State University doctoral student has received a USDA grant to research the relationship between the tomato spotted wilt virus and its vector, the western flower thrip. The goal is to develop a genetic tool to silence the thrip's protective genes, potentially stopping the disease's transmission.
The US Department of Agriculture is working on a biocontrol method for the brown marmorated stink bug, which has caused significant damage in homes and gardens. Researchers have identified an aggregation pheromone that attracts males, females, and nymphs to feeding sites.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide discovered that dragonflies can lock onto one visual target while ignoring others, a phenomenon similar to selective attention in humans. This finding has significant implications for neuroscience and engineering applications.
Scientists found a unique lipid compound that amplifies sound and efficiently transmits it to the ear drums of insects, similar to toothed whales. The discovery opens up possibilities for new systems in ultrasound technologies.
Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) delivers narrated, animated videos to a global audience, addressing pressing issues like food waste, insect damage, and infectious diseases. The initiative has received feedback from its audience, allowing it to improve its message and expand its content.
Researchers discovered pygmy mole crickets use oar-like paddles to jump from water, exploiting water's stickiness to their advantage. The crickets' resilient protein-filled paddles fan out as they penetrate the water, allowing them to 'grab' a ball of water and propel themselves to safety.
Four Kansas State University researchers, John Blair, Ruth Welti, Kun Yan Zhu and Ron Trewyn, have been named fellows by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for their distinguished contributions to science. The university celebrates this prestigious recognition as a testament to its commitment to scientific excellence.
The US Department of Agriculture is developing public health insecticides and devising improved application technologies to kill insects. Alternative fabrics are being designed for fire-resistant uniforms to improve protection against insects.
A new study reveals that insects prefer exotic plants over natives, maintaining balance in ecosystems. Native plants are less susceptible to these insects and can thrive alongside exotics.
Scientists have discovered several toxins in sea anemones that could be used as new generation of insecticides. These toxins disable ion channels, potentially leading to the development of pain and cardiac disorder treatments.
Researchers discovered a new bacterium, human Sodalis, in the infected wound of a man who impaled his hand on a tree branch. The bacterium is related to Sodalis, a genus that lives symbiotically inside insects' guts, and may be used to block disease transmission by insects and prevent crop damage.
Researchers are using an insect growth regulator called pyriproxyfen to prevent the maturation of house fly larvae. This technology has shown promise in controlling the spread of bacteria through these insects.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a natural fungus, Beauveria bassiana, that can effectively control bed bugs. The study found that the fungus infects and kills bed bugs within five days, even when they are in close proximity to uninfected individuals.
Researchers discovered a new bacterium in an Indiana man's infected wound, revealing how insects domesticate bacteria. The strain, HS, has a relatively large genetic blueprint and is closely related to Sodalis-like bacteria that live in many insect species.
Scientists identify a novel structure that converts sound waves to mechanical energy, enabling insects to hear at remarkable frequencies. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in acoustic sensor design and development.
Scientists discovered a species of South American bush cricket has hearing that rivals human hearing, using an entirely different machinery. The insect's auditory system performs all three stages of mammalian hearing and converts air-borne sounds into liquid-borne vibrations.