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...
Researchers discovered that touching plants can affect insect feeding behavior, with some species experiencing increased leaf area loss and death when visited. The study suggests that future ecological studies should consider the potential effects of researcher interactions on plant biology.
Researchers at Cornell University have found that releasing an early army of beneficial Trichogramma ostriniae wasps can halve European corn borer damage. The study suggests that growers only need to release around 30,000 wasps per acre and that subsequent releases may not be necessary.
Researchers found that field refuges made of non-Bt plants can prevent insects from developing resistance to Bt-engineered crops. The study demonstrated the importance of carefully managing insects within these refuges to ensure their effectiveness.
Scientists can estimate ancient atmosphere mass and composition using mayfly fossils due to their consistent flight mechanism, which records air density. The study suggests the atmosphere's mass remained relatively constant over the last quarter-billion years.
Researchers have identified four new limonoids in Spanish cedar leaves that repel a specific insect pest, potentially helping protect endangered primary forests. Selecting seedlings with high concentrations of these substances may aid plantation-raised Spanish cedars and reduce the need for synthetic insecticides.
Researchers have identified principles for insect flight that will help design and construct tiny robotic flies. The Micromechanical Flying Insect project aims to develop a robotic fly that can fly short distances and maintain stable hover
A recent study found that tomato plants artificially stimulated with chemical jasmonic acid attract parasitic wasps, which kill twice as many caterpillars on treated plants. This natural defense mechanism can be used to develop environmentally friendly agricultural pest control methods.
Researchers at Kansas State University found that bug zappers can spread microorganisms including viruses, potentially causing harm to humans. The devices may not be effective in controlling insect populations, as they indiscriminately kill beneficial insects and only kill a small percentage of damaging insects.
Researchers have discovered a new species of wasp where males dominate the nest, chasing and biting females. Males consume much food gathered by workers, while females remain submissive.
Researchers May R. Berenbaum and Arthur R. Zangerl found that webworms and parsnips in the Midwest have adapted to each other, with levels of detoxification enzymes matching those of defensive compounds produced by plants. This suggests a reciprocal evolutionary change between interacting species.
The USDA has developed two innovative devices to help farmers control insects that devastate their crops. The Aerodynamic Transport Body (ATB) is a clay pigeon-like catapult that launches parasitic wasps at high speeds, while the Mite Meter is an insulated dispenser that keeps tiny mites immobile until they hit the ground. These device...
Researchers discovered that female paper wasps sit and wait for opportunities to adopt orphaned nests or hijack others, a risky behavior with high reproductive benefits. Adopting the most mature nests allows these queens to produce workers quickly, increasing colony survival.
Scientists have identified a new family of insecticidal toxins produced by Photorhabdus luminescens, which are active against a wide range of insects and at least as potent as Bt. The discovery holds promise for the future of natural pest control, particularly in the face of increasing resistance to Bt.
Scientists have discovered a new bacterium, Photorhabdus luminescens, with a toxin effective against a broad range of insect pests. The bacteria can be used as a spray or fed directly to insects, and its genetic material has been licensed for use in crop plants.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered a unique behavior in paper wasps called 'male-stuffing,' where females aggressively force males into empty nest cells to limit their food consumption. This behavior may maximize worker wasps' inclusive fitness and contribute to the colony's fitness.
Scientists have discovered that two parasitic wasps, Spalangia endius and Spalangia nigoraenea, can efficiently control stable and house flies in Illinois. This finding has significant implications for the state's agricultural industry and public health.
A Cornell University study reveals that insects, including crickets, possess categorical perception - the ability to distinguish between 'friend' and 'foe' sounds. Researchers used a test originally developed for human infants to demonstrate this ability in crickets, finding a dividing line at 16kHz.
A new bait made of natural substances has been discovered that kills cockroaches by disrupting their uric acid production, a crucial resource for survival. The bait, developed by Dr. Heather Wren, is effective against both resistant and susceptible strains and shows promise in controlling large populations of German cockroaches.
Biologists at Cornell and Washington universities have genetically engineered rice plants to resist some of the most destructive insects as well as salt and drought damage. The technology will be given to developing countries under a Rockefeller Foundation grant.