Articles tagged with Insects
Researchers discover human body odor plays a crucial role in mosquito attraction, with certain compounds acting as repellents or masking attractant components. The findings could lead to the development of safe, naturally occurring insect repellents more effective than conventional products.
A study found that US Army personnel deployed to eastern Afghanistan between June and September 2002 had a significant risk of malaria infection upon return. The researchers identified 38 patients infected with malaria, resulting in an attack rate of 52.4 cases per 1,000 soldiers.
Researchers found that hummingbirds' lifting ability declines with altitude, leaving less reserve power for quick bursts of flight. The study also revealed a clear correlation between power margin and elevation, with birds dominating territories at lower elevations.
Yale researchers, Jorge Galán, Ruslan Medzhitov, and John Carlson, have been awarded $3 million to investigate Campylobacter jejuni and its impact on the immune system. The funding will support their work in understanding infectious disease mechanisms and developing new treatments.
Researchers successfully produce spider silk fibers in insect cell cultures using genetic engineering, opening the way for commercial development. The fibers possess chemical resistance characteristics similar to those produced by spiders.
Researchers find that invasive trout reduce forest spiders by altering stream food webs, highlighting the impact of species invasions on ecosystem connectivity. The matrix plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of corridors and stepping stones in increasing landscape connectivity.
Scientists use DNA technology to identify specific art materials and develop biological preservation strategies to combat insect and fungal damage. A regional symposium on cultural heritage conservation is also organized, attracting over 100 curators and students.
Researchers found that using plants with moderately effective genetic modifications in a buffer zone around main crops can play a major role in insect control. This approach delays the development of resistant insects by creating negative cross-resistance, effectively eliminating them from invading the main crop.
Researchers identify Photorhabdus asymbiotica, a bioluminescent bacterium that causes pustulent sores and is linked to the plague. The study highlights the potential for emerging diseases to evolve from insect pathogens.
A new technique targeting pesticide-resistant insects has shown effectiveness in trials against the cotton bollworm, silverleaf whitefly, and diamondback moth. The method uses micro-encapsulated formulations to deliver an enzyme inhibitor and a pesticide, providing a double-blow effect.
Research by Boston University's Tigga Kingston and Stephen Rossiter found that large-eared horseshoe bats are diverging into three sizes and using distinct echolocation calls to locate insects. The findings suggest that sensory ecology may play a key role in speciation, with the harmonic differences affecting communication and mating b...
Researchers found that biotech corn carrying a gene for insect protection can pollinate non-Bt corn plants up to 100 feet away, posing a risk of contaminating refuge areas. The discovery suggests measures are needed to reduce pollen spread from Bt corn to corn fields requiring refuge zones.
Kansas State University researchers are using geographic tools to track the spread of a highly invasive soybean aphid, which could have significant implications for national security. By analyzing data and mapping patterns, they aim to predict future outbreaks and develop an early warning system.
The emergence of Brood X cicadas in May will result in some damage to fruit trees and prized yard trees and shrubs. Gardeners, vintners, and farmers are advised to cover vulnerable plants with netting to prevent damage.
Researchers have discovered two mosquito proteins, TEP1 and LRIM1, that kill the malaria parasite. Eliminating these proteins could block the parasite-mosquito cycle, potentially decreasing malaria prevalence.
Researchers found that traditional Iroquois cropping systems, mimicking natural polycultures, outperform monoculture methods in controlling pests and diseases. The 'three sisters' system also promotes soil fertility through crop residue recycling.
Scientists linking rainforest canopy and floor layers examine effects of falling materials on soil processes, decomposition rates, and nutrient availability. The study aims to understand the connection between these factors and global climate change.
Corn earworm moths travel at varying heights influenced by air currents, affecting their migration patterns. By analyzing wind patterns and weather forecasts, researchers aim to forecast the arrival of these pests and develop targeted insecticide strategies to reduce damage.
The University of Florida researchers have created photon sieves for visible light, which can sharpen the focus quality of a beam and reduce the amount of light that gets through a metal plate. This technology has the potential to change the way we think about optics and enable more life-like qualities in systems.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified the first gene in lice that kills bacteria threatening the insect. The study also found genes involved in digesting human blood and fighting off infections. Understanding lice genetics could lead to novel pest control strategies, potentially benefiting public health.
Research finds that brightly coloured autumn leaves in mountain birch trees signal reduced insect damage the following season, suggesting a warning system to deter egg-laying insects.
The IBISCA project aims to understand the vertical stratification of insects throughout the dark understory and emergent canopy of Panama's tropical forest. Using advanced technologies, including a canopy crane, raft, bubble, and treehouse, researchers will collect samples and data on arthropods and other organisms.
Researchers found that fruit odors play a crucial role in the evolution of a new species among hawthorn maggots. A specific blend of apple and hawthorn volatiles triggers a strong preference for host-plant identification, making it difficult for flies to interbreed. This discovery opens up possibilities for organic pest control methods.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a new gene, called H31, that can help wheat plants resist damage from the Hessian fly. By combining this gene with others, they aim to extend resistance time by up to six times, reducing the need for chemicals and preserving the environment.
A study by Carl Thummel and Tatiana Kozlova found that ecdysone signaling is crucial for major morphogenetic movements during embryonic development. The researchers discovered that the amnioserosa, an extraembryonic tissue, is a critical source of ecdysone, which controls cell movements and maturation in insects.
A WSU ecologist's research shows that induction of plant resistance to pathogens can also make plants more susceptible to certain insects. Salicylate, a natural plant chemical, plays a key role in this phenomenon.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that birds play a crucial role in protecting Neotropical forests by consuming leaf-eating insects. By eating caterpillars on leaves, birds drastically reduce damage to foliage, with average damage levels increasing by 86% where they could not reach.
A new theory describes a fundamental pattern that unifies various ecological relationships, providing insight into species abundance and biodiversity. The theory also suggests a predictable relationship between the sizes of rock pieces and species populations.
The IR-4 project supports research and development of natural pest control tools for specialty crops. The program aims to provide effective alternatives to traditional pesticides, benefiting farmers, homeowners, and consumers.
Toxin-resistant insects in Bt transgenic crops develop faster and have greater pupal weight, suggesting genetic benefits. Biochemical studies are needed to confirm potential nutritional effects of Cry toxins on resistant insects.
Indoxacarb, a new crop-protection insecticide, blocks nerve membrane channels, making it effective against insects like the Helicoverpa armigera caterpillar. Developed by a team of chemists, indoxacarb breaks down rapidly in the environment, reducing its impact on crops and the ecosystem.
Researchers have analyzed fossil records of plants and insects to understand how the Earth's climate has changed over time. The study reveals that the K-T boundary, which marked the extinction of dinosaurs, was caused by an extraterrestrial impact, while the P-E interval saw a more gradual change due to global warming.
Researchers at Purdue University found that ozone can effectively kill insects in grain storage facilities without damaging food quality or the environment. The gas has a short half-life and low dosage is used to eliminate bugs, reducing the risk of mycotoxins and potential food-borne diseases.
A study found that insect feeding by a spruce gall adelgid caused large galls to form, inversely correlated with distance from buds. Chemical stimuli were determined to be the cause of gall formation.
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers found that walking stick species re-evolved wings after losing them 50 million years earlier. The discovery raises questions about the basics of evolutionary theory and suggests that complexity can be maintained over tens of millions of years.
A unique insect study reveals that male antler flies deteriorate with age, showing a decrease in survival and mating success as they get older. The study provides valuable insights into the aging process in insects living in their naturally evolved environment.
Researchers develop theoretical models to understand the spatial component of insect outbreaks and predict their spread. By analyzing the Larch budmoth infestation in the European Alps, they confirmed that space-time models accurately predict geographic spread and timing, even with complex dynamics involved.
Mathematical theory explains how high dose/refuge strategy works, allowing farmers to protect crops in refuges. The analysis leads to unexpected results, including minimal impact of insecticides on refuge value for some Bt crops and pests.
Insects like corn earworms intercept plant chemical signals to produce detoxifying enzymes that neutralize toxins. This allows them to mount their own defenses and counterattack plants' defensive systems.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered a previously undetected gene that regulates insect sex-pheromone production, leading to rapid evolution of chemical systems and new species emergence. The delta-14 gene allows females to change their pheromone components, attracting only one male out of 200 with the same response.
Woodpecker finches rely on tool use to extract food from bark and tree-holes in scarce environments, outperforming conventional foraging techniques. This unique adaptation allows them to acquire larger, high-energy prey.
Researchers studying Mediterranean fruit flies found that nearly all flies went upside-down before death, suggesting a biomarker for studying human morbidity. The 'supine behavior' phase may help understand the onset of progressive neurological illnesses and dementia in humans.
Researchers found that deer flies are drawn to bright blue color and can be effectively trapped using a 6-inch flowerpot painted with sticky spray. The traps work best when suspended three to six feet above ground and moved at slow speeds, capturing up to 30 deer flies in one minute.
Researchers used DNA sequences to identify hybridization and introgression in Phlox species, tracing the Eurasian source of invasive Tamarix species. The study found that a novel hybrid plant genotype is contributing to the invasion's spread, affecting biodiversity and hydrology in fragile environments.
A study by Duke University scientists found that excess plant-eating monkeys on small islands spur extra tree growth, boosting insect populations that attract birds. The density of birds is strongly correlated with the density of howler monkeys.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that low-density exurban development increased by 2000 to occupy nearly 10 times the area of urbanized land, while agricultural land use decreased in some areas. Special planning can help minimize environmental impact through designs that deliver public benefits like clean water and nativ...
A new study found that DEET-based insect repellents were significantly more effective than plant-based alternatives in preventing mosquito bites. The study tested 16 representative products and found that DEET-based products provided the longest-lasting protection, with some lasting up to five hours.
Researchers found that a weevil released to control Canada thistle in the US instead harms a native thistle species, Tracy's thistle. The weevil reduced seed production by two-thirds in infested stands, with no impact on non-native thistles.
Researchers found that insects on the same plant were more likely to mate with each other than those on different plants, suggesting habitat plays a crucial role in speciation. The study provides evidence of host-plant adaptation driving reproductive isolation and repeated divergence in this species.
The discovery of a new insect order, Mantophasmatodea, brings the total number of orders to 31. The species, resembling a mix between a stick insect and a preying mantis, was found in Namibia's Brandberg Mountain, which may have preserved its unique habitat for millions of years.
Researchers Kun Yan Zhu and Jian-Rong Gao found that greenbugs with resistance develop a higher rate of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, requiring more insecticide to kill. This breakthrough may lead to better pest control methods by monitoring resistance in individual fields.
New research reveals that a biological arms race occurs between males and females in reproduction, with sex-specific traits leading to balanced conflicts. The study shows that the arms race is indeed balanced but not perfectly so, with some species experiencing high rates of costly matings.
A nonwoven fiber barrier made of ethylene vinyl acetate can significantly reduce the number of eggs laid by onion maggots, with treated plants having an average of 1.4 eggs per plant compared to 10.4 for untreated plants.
A study using virtual blue jays as predators found that they drove the evolution of diverse wing markings in a population of virtual moths. The research, funded by the NSF, used a genetic algorithm to favor moths with more cryptic markings and found evidence of increased diversity after 100 generations.
Researchers found that insect damage affects not just the hole in the leaf, but also surrounding areas with reduced photosynthesis activity. The device revealed an 80-fold increase in furanocoumarin synthesis, a defensive chemical used by plants to boost their defense.
A protein in an insect's antenna picks up chemical signals called pheromones and changes its shape to eject them onto sensitive nerve endings. This discovery could lead to the development of insecticides that prevent insects from detecting other chemical signals, essential for their survival.
Genetic modified organism (GMO) crops can benefit from a 'refugia strategy' that preserves susceptible insect genes. This approach aims to counteract potential insect resistance by allowing certain pests to survive and breed in GMO-free areas.
Researchers found that nepetalactone in catnip is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET. The compound can be used as an alternative to commercial insect repellents with lower concentrations required, making it a promising discovery for pest control.
A Clemson-led team led by Linda J. Gahan has made a breakthrough in tracking genetically the tobacco budworm's efforts to become resistant to biotechnological pest controls. The discovery opens the door for monitoring resistance mechanisms and management strategies in insect pests.
Researchers found that warmer temperatures will allow the Asian tiger mosquito to breed faster and potentially spread farther north, possibly surviving year-round in areas where winter freezes now kill it off. The study also suggests that global warming may alter the distribution of other mosquito species, with potentially severe conse...