Research on insects and their role in nature. Covers disease-carrying bugs, insect evolution, wildfire effects, and sensory circuitry.
A new international study published in Insect Science offers a more complex picture of insect populations. High-flying migratory insects have remained largely stable over nine decades, but agricultural pests are on the rise, posing a persistent threat to food security.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that bark beetle damage clusters in Finland tend to concentrate in groups near previous infestations and mature stands. The research analyzed forestry land data and identified forest characteristics increasing the likelihood of a stand becoming part of a cluster.
Researchers found that birds prefer lanternflies that haven't fed on the tree of heaven, suggesting a toxic defense mechanism. This discovery could inform effective management strategies for the spotted lanternfly pest.
A recent study investigates the genetics and evolution of melanism in the tea geometrid moth, revealing a highly constrained mechanism. The research team found distinct mutations around a genetic hotspot responsible for independently derived melanism in various populations across China.
Researchers found high floral scent chemodiversity attracts a wider variety of pollinators but reduces bacterial richness on flowers. The discovery supports the 'Filthy Pollinator Hypothesis', which proposes that diverse scents prevent detrimental microbial colonization.
Researchers at University of Würzburg discover carpenter ants perform prophylactic amputations on injured workers, halving infection spread and doubling survival rate. This unique approach is reminiscent of human medical logic, highlighting the importance of timely treatment in densely populated colonies.
Researchers discovered that stinkbug females possess a novel symbiotic organ on their hindlegs, which nurtures specific fungi that provide physical defense against wasp parasitism. The fungus-covered eggs exhibit lower parasitism rates, highlighting an impressive example of evolutionary adaptation.
Chapulines, a traditional Mexican food, have changed meaning over time from poor people's fare to tourist novelty. Locals consider them an essential source of protein, while women who sell chapulines are vital breadwinners for their families. The COVID-19 pandemic even saw innovative touchless sales during market closures.
A novel disease prevention strategy targeting the Aedes mosquito species has been shown to reduce mosquito numbers by 60% and cases of dengue fever by 24% in a community. The study, conducted in Merida, Mexico, tested an intervention that used targeted indoor residual spraying of insecticide before outbreaks occur.
A new study found that fire can have varying impacts on global bee populations, with some species thriving in post-fire conditions and others declining or disappearing. The review highlights the need for tailored fire management strategies to support biodiversity, particularly in Australia's unique ecosystems.
A new study from Lund University maps the hidden highways of the sky, revealing how environmental factors and species interaction affect animal distribution in the aerial habitat. The research highlights the importance of understanding the air as a dynamic environment that requires adaptation to preserve flying animals.
Researchers investigate cryopreservation as a tool for conservation, using the European subspecies of the Swallowtail to assess its viability. If effective, it could support long-term strategies like breeding programs and reintroduction efforts.
Researchers Prof David Julian McClements and Prof David L. Kaplan propose hybrid foods as a solution to reduce industrial animal use's carbon footprint and boost health. The authors emphasize the need for collaboration to optimize protein combinations balancing nutrition, taste, sustainability, and affordability.
In a lab study, researchers found that female crickets prioritize reproductive organ development, while males focus on growing bigger bodies and storing energy. This sex difference in resource allocation is linked to mating success, with females allocating more resources to eggs.
The 'Grassland Butterfly Index' shows a significant decline in butterfly populations in Germany from 2016 to 2023, with some species decreasing by up to 50%. This trend is consistent with European-wide declines, highlighting the need for effective conservation measures to protect these important ecosystem indicators.
A study of migratory hoverflies on an oil rig in the North Sea revealed that they can transport pollen over great distances, potentially linking plant populations across Europe. The hoverflies carried pollen from up to 14 different plant species, highlighting their importance in agriculture.
Researchers discover new parasitoid wasp species, Heinrichiellus natgeo, in honor of the National Geographic Society. The tiny insect plays a crucial role in regulating insect pest populations and is found in remote areas of India.
A study by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers found that 79% of endemic ant species in Fiji are declining over the past few hundred years, coinciding with European contact and modern agricultural techniques. In contrast, non-native ant species are exploding in population.
Researchers at STRI discovered that a tropical bug's flag-waving behavior is an anti-predator strategy, increasing waving seven-fold in the presence of mantids and deterring attacks. The finding highlights the importance of studying insects and their behaviors.
A new study reveals that insect abundance is declining by an average annual rate of 6.6% in relatively undisturbed landscapes, leading to significant losses even in pristine areas. Climate change is identified as a key driver of these declines, highlighting the urgent need for biodiversity conservation.
A tiny fossil of a sea creature from over half a billion years ago sheds light on the evolution of arthropods, revealing a brain similar to that of living crustaceans. The discovery suggests that the split between the two largest groups of arthropods was more nuanced and complicated than previously thought.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology reveals that different cell types and variation within these cells play a crucial role in muscle remodeling during Drosophila development. The findings show that sarcolytes, hemocytes, and fat body cells work together to break down larval muscles and scatter the fragments.
A new class of insecticide, called spatial emanators, provides protection for up to a year against mosquitoes that spread malaria, as well as dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, and Zika. The breakthrough offers lasting protection in areas where malaria is prevalent and can be used day and night without heating or electricity.
Researchers from Kyoto University discovered that periodical cicadas use a four-year body weight threshold to decide when to emerge. The 16-year-old nymphs with red eyes and large body weights likely exceeded the critical threshold, indicating their decision to emerge.
Researchers at Binghamton University have identified two previously unknown species of parasitic wasps living in the United States, highlighting the importance of biodiversity and oak gall wasp diversity. The discovery sheds light on how these insects escape diverse and evolving clades of parasites.
A team of researchers has developed a robot with self-morphing, wing-like feet that mimic the agile movements of water striders. The insect-scale robot enhances surface maneuverability and can execute sharp turns in just 50 milliseconds, rivaling the rapid aerial maneuvers of flying flies.
Researchers developed a sustainable solution to help tackle honeybee decline by creating an engineered food supplement. The new feed, designed to provide essential compounds found in plant pollen, significantly enhances colony reproduction.
The winner of the 2025 BMC journals Image Competition is a photograph of two male saigas sparring on the banks of a steppe lake. The image, taken by Andrey Giljov, showcases the unique characteristics of saiga antelopes and their survival strategies.
Monarch butterflies utilize magnetic fields for migratory directionality, with orientation recalibrated by cold temperatures. Experimental study suggests this ability may be disrupted under climate change, threatening their migration patterns.
A previously mistaken moth has been identified as a new species, Carcina ingridmariae, with significant genetic differences from its lookalike relative. The species was discovered using DNA barcoding and has a wingspan of about 2 cm, found across the eastern Mediterranean.
Researchers found that the caterpillars' cycles interact with natural controls like viral disease, and they're highly adapted to their environment. Outbreaks can be predicted and damage controlled, but the exact timing is linked to specific factors.
Insects rely on carbon dioxide emissions from host plants to identify ideal egg-laying sites. Rising atmospheric CO₂ levels interfere with this natural signal, leading to maladaptive choices that threaten insect survival. The study highlights the urgent need for both emissions reductions and innovative agricultural adaptation.
A University of Toronto study finds that global warming may increase the risk of invasive ant species by enabling them to expand into outdoor environments. Researchers warn that some indoor-only ant species have the potential to cause significant damage if they become established outdoors.
Researchers have found that cicadas begin their loud choruses when the sun is precisely 3.8 degrees below the horizon, corresponding to civil twilight. The team analyzed field recordings and developed a mathematical model inspired by magnetic materials to explain this precision.
A new analysis of a 500 million-year-old fossil suggests that arachnids, including spiders and scorpions, evolved in the ocean before adapting to land. The discovery was made by studying the brain and nervous system of an ancient marine arthropod called Mollisonia symmetrica.
A new study found that mammals independently evolved specialized adaptations for exclusively feeding on ants and termites at least 12 times since the Cenozoic era began. This dietary strategy, called myrmecophagy, emerged following the K-Pg extinction and set the stage for ant and termite colonies to rapidly expand worldwide.
Researchers found that azuki bean beetles infected with Wolbachia bacteria produce larger eggs yielding exclusively male offspring when exposed to elevated temperature and carbon dioxide. This adaptive reproduction strategy enhances the survivability of their offspring.
Scientists have developed a method to extract insect heart rates from video footage taken with digital cameras, preserving their natural behavior. The technique uses advanced signal processing and machine learning algorithms to analyze subtle body movements and detect accurate cardiac activity.
Researchers have discovered a way for caterpillars to metabolically degrade plastics in a matter of days, storing it as body fat. However, this process comes at a cost, ultimately leading to the caterpillar's death.
Research reveals that high temperatures and exposure to heavy metals reduce the frequency and pitch of non-flight wing vibrations in bees. This affects their communication, defense, and buzz-pollination abilities, which are crucial for plant reproduction and biodiversity.
A new study found that honey bees extract nearly 80% of available pollen in a day, leaving little for native bee species. This exploitation could lead to population declines and disruption of ecosystem balance.
Researchers discovered that ants' wax layers exhibit complex phase behavior, allowing them to balance hydration and communication needs. The layer's viscosity decreases with rising temperatures, but also shows unique effects when exposed to different acclimatization temperatures.
Agroecological methods improve biodiversity, pollination, natural pest control, and crop yields, but new subsidies are needed to support farms' transition. The study found that incorporating nature-friendly practices increases benefits for nature and farmers, with higher soil carbon and overall increased crop yields.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found ants can be used to detect the presence of spotted lanternflies, a serious threat to crops and ecosystems. The method, called antDNA, uses environmental DNA testing to identify tiny traces of DNA in honeydew produced by the insect.
A new study on the wall brown butterfly found that rapid evolution aids its northward expansion, but cold winters restrict further growth. The study showed that butterflies from northern populations grew faster and survived winter better, but still couldn't persist beyond certain climatic limits.
Researchers used geospatial neighborhood and housing data to predict lung function among children with asthma living in homes with more roaches and rodents. The study highlights the impact of environmental exposures on asthma health disparities among Black and Latino children.
A study by UC Riverside reveals that bumble bee queens pause egg-laying after a burst of activity, likely in response to cues from their developing brood, and typically resume production within 1.5 days when pupae are present.
The study found that combining native and non-native species, such as Achillea millefolium and Cosmos bipinnatus, attracts a diversity of pollinators. The novel seed mixes also improved establishment and aesthetic appeal.
Researchers found that male mosquito brains respond to a wider range of sounds than females and have more diverse responses. This suggests that males use complex acoustic cues to locate females in noisy environments, making traditional traps less effective.
A new study uses a fruit fly model to investigate the genetic basis of cocaine addiction. By genetically modifying bitter-sensing receptors in fruit flies, researchers found that these flies developed a preference for cocaine over sugar. This study suggests that genes involved in human cocaine addiction may also be active in fruit flies.
The University of Oldenburg has secured funding for three research clusters: Hearing4all, Ocean Floor, and NaviSense. These clusters aim to improve hearing loss prediction, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as animal navigation research. The funding enables the continuation of high-quality research with social relevance.
A meta-analysis from the University of Copenhagen shows that flower strips with at least two sown species increase the number of natural enemies by an average of 70 percent. This is due to the diverse range of flowers attracting a broader range of beneficial insects, such as ladybirds and hoverflies.
A study by Curtin University reveals that high densities of European honey bees harm Australian native bees' 'fitness' through reduced reproductive success and altered key traits. In areas with higher honey bee densities, native bees produce fewer female offspring and have higher mortality rates.
Researchers have discovered that urban areas experience a greater difference in wet bulb globe temperature between 0.5 m and 1.5 m above ground due to surface heat radiation, posing health risks to children and pets during extreme heat events. Total solar eclipses also alter atmospheric conditions and insect behavior, with some species...
Mother wasps exhibit exceptional brainpower in managing food for their young, using visual landmarks to locate and remember up to nine separate nests. This intricate scheduling ensures the survival of their offspring, with mothers adjusting feeding orders based on availability and larval development.
A new method using DNA metabarcoding has provided fresh insights into the impact of agriculture on insect biodiversity. The study found a 44% decline in total insect species diversity and a nearly 30% loss of evolutionary diversity in agricultural landscapes.
Researchers have discovered a chemical called bistrifluron that prevents drywood termites from creating new exoskeletons, ultimately killing the colony. This innovative method offers a safer alternative to traditional fumigation methods and has shown promise in reducing toxicity.
A new study suggests that termites can be slow to recover in regenerating forests, hindering growth and health. Scientists propose transplanting deadwood logs or termite mounds into replanted rainforests to boost decomposer abundance and diversity.
The Monte Gordo Grasshopper, thought extinct since 1980, has been rediscovered in Cape Verde's São Nicolau island. The species, a 'living fossil,' has shown remarkable resilience in the challenging environment.
Researchers at Beijing Institute of Technology developed a steering control strategy for cyborg insects using unilateral cercus electrical stimulation, achieving high memory scores in cockroach training. The study demonstrates the potential for electrical stimulation to promote spatial learning and recognition in insects.