All articles tagged with #dragonflies
New research shows dragonflies see red light at around 720 nm—beyond human vision—via a red opsin, a trait evolved in parallel with humans. This deeper red sensitivity could let optogenetic tools reach deeper tissues noninvasively, potentially aiding neurological research and therapies; male dragonflies may use red cues to tell sexes in flight.
A new study across 44 insect species shows that the tracheal system in insects wouldn’t need dramatic expansion as size increases, meaning the ancient giants like Meganeuropsis permiana could still deliver oxygen efficiently. The finding undermines the long-held oxygen-constrain hypothesis and suggests giant bugs weren’t blocked by atmospheric oxygen after all; other factors—predation by aerial vertebrates, heat buildup during flight, molting/structural constraints, and open circulation—likely helped limit insect size, with future research exploring the role of air sacs in ventilation.
A photo-driven feature highlights brutal predatory insects and their hunting tricks—from camouflaged mantises and ambushing robber flies to army ants that swarm prey, and swift dragonflies and damselflies—while noting their ecological roles and the potent stings of hornets.
A new study reveals that climate change impacts on animals, specifically dragonflies, begin much earlier in life during their aquatic juvenile stage, influencing adult trait diversity more than later environmental conditions, suggesting a need to revise conservation strategies to consider early-life stages.