Articles tagged with Insects
Researchers discovered a new protein, CBP21, that speeds up chitin degradation by breaking down its structure. This discovery has potential applications in combating fungi and producing biofuels.
Researchers discovered that hawkmoth caterpillars infected with non-pathogenic bacteria produce antibacterial peptides that confer resistance against lethal insect pathogens. This finding suggests that field-immunized insects may exhibit different immune responses than laboratory models, challenging the validity of current studies.
Researchers from Oregon State University and colleagues used digital particle imaging velocimetry to analyze the wing movement of hummingbirds. The study found that hummingbirds support 75% of their weight during the down stroke and 25% on the up stroke, unlike insects which produce equal amounts of lift during both strokes.
Researchers used digital particle imaging velocimetry to document the movement of air around a hummingbird's wings, revealing that it develops only 25% of its weight support during the upstroke. This unique wing structure enables hummingbirds to tap into 'leading edge vortices' and gain hovering ability.
Researchers found that concurrent use of single- and dual-gene Bt plants can put dual-gene plants at risk if single-gene plants are deployed in the same area. Dual-gene plants expressing two insecticidal proteins offer improved resistance to insects, but may be more vulnerable to resistance development.
A team of researchers found that plant-insect interactions were diverse and abundant in Patagonia 52 million years ago. The study reveals a legacy of ancient biodiversity that will help understand modern South American diversity.
Researchers found that Brown-headed cowbirds can affect the sex of host offspring, while commercial fishing led to changes in open-ocean fish communities. Additionally, a study on plant defense theory revealed that outbred plants are more resistant to certain insect herbivores.
A study published in Science identifies the master gene grainyhead as essential for wound repair in both fruit flies and mice. The researchers found that grainyhead is required to activate genes involved in cuticle repair, which then regenerate injured patches of skin.
A new study reveals that adult non-biting midges serve as vectors for the spread of cholera. The researchers found that these insects can carry and transmit the bacteria across continents through wind currents, air travel, and human migration.
Researchers used functional imaging to track plant nutrients in response to simulated attacks, finding that poplar trees divert more carbon to storage and isoprene production. This study has potential applications for improving plants' resistance to environmental challenges and studying their biochemical processes.
Researchers are studying entomopathogenic nematodes, tiny worms that kill insects by releasing bacteria inside their hosts. The goal is to develop non-chemical and non-toxic pest control programs using these natural agents.
Research from University of Bristol provides strongest evidence that disruptive patterns protect insects from birds, a predator that shaped evolution of protective coloration. By varying colors, size, and location of patterns on artificial moths, the team identified effective combinations that mimicked tree characteristics.
Researchers have discovered that an ancient olfaction protein is shared by many insects, including fruit flies, medflies, and mosquitoes. This finding suggests a high degree of evolutionary conservation of the protein's function in detecting odors, which could be exploited for developing novel pest control methods.
Scientists have discovered a gene responsible for an insect's sense of smell, which is highly conserved across four different species, including pests that target crops and human health. This finding could lead to the development of new pesticides and disease-controlling insect repellents by targeting the insects' sense of smell.
Researchers have discovered the molecular structure of a glycolipid receptor to which Bt toxin binds, potentially leading to more effective pesticides and new treatments for parasitic infections. The study's findings could also help prevent insect resistance to Bt toxins.
A new study by researchers Francisco Garcia-Gonzalez and Leigh Simmons shows that the proportion of live sperm in a male's ejaculate determines paternity success. The study used Australian field crickets to test the hypothesis that sperm viability influences insect paternity success.
The study uses intense x-ray beams and electronic flight simulators to probe the muscles of flying fruit flies, revealing previously unsuspected interactions between proteins that turn 'on' and 'off'. The research has implications for understanding human heart disease and developing new models for cardiac muscle performance.
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.