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Entomology

All articles tagged with #entomology

Crickets may feel pain, prompting welfare questions for billions farmed annually
science-tech13 days ago

Crickets may feel pain, prompting welfare questions for billions farmed annually

A Royal Society B study tested 40 male and 40 female house crickets (Acheta domesticus) by applying a heat stimulus to an antenna and found they groomed the heated area significantly longer than controls, indicating pain-like responses beyond a reflex. With crickets being the world’s most farmed insect (about 370 billion annually), this suggests insects may have subjective experiences and underscores the need for welfare protections as giant-scale farming continues and concerns about animal suffering grow.

via The Conversation|
#animal-welfare#crickets#entomology
Fruit Flies Survive and Adapt Under Extreme Gravity
science25 days ago

Fruit Flies Survive and Adapt Under Extreme Gravity

Researchers exposed fruit flies to 4–13G hypergravity in a centrifuge. Initial hyperactivity at moderate Gs gave way to reduced activity at higher Gs, but both groups eventually returned to normal behavior, and a multi‑generational test showed some populations thriving for 10 generations, suggesting gravity directly shapes energy use and movement and highlighting the resilience of biological systems with implications for future space exploration.

via Gizmodo|
#entomology#fruit-flies#gravity
In Linnaeus's wake: Swedish scientists reveal biodiversity through a striking photo essay
environment1 month ago

In Linnaeus's wake: Swedish scientists reveal biodiversity through a striking photo essay

A Guardian photo essay by Christer Björkman spotlights Swedish scientists, each with a personal object or book, as they explore life from tiny insects to hairy plants. The portraits span entomology, mycology, palaeontology and taxonomy, showcasing researchers continuing Linnaeus’s legacy and highlighting biodiversity and the extinction crisis through a visual record of work across Swedish institutions.

via The Guardian|
#biodiversity#entomology#environment
Giant Griffinflies May Not Have Needed Oxygen After All, New Study Says
science2 months ago

Giant Griffinflies May Not Have Needed Oxygen After All, New Study Says

A new study challenges the long-held view that high atmospheric oxygen powered giant prehistoric insects like griffinflies, showing that flying insects’ internal tracheal systems can supply oxygen to flight muscles, which could allow large sizes even today; if confirmed, this suggests oxygen levels were not the limiting factor, though researchers note other causes may explain why such giants disappeared.

via Gizmodo|
#entomology#griffinflies#insects
Whale-Headed Termite Discovered Eight Meters Up in the Rainforest Canopy
science2 months ago

Whale-Headed Termite Discovered Eight Meters Up in the Rainforest Canopy

Researchers in French Guiana describe a new termite species, Cryptotermes mobydicki, found eight meters up in the rainforest canopy. Its soldiers have an unusually long, forward-extending head that hides the jaws, giving a whale-like profile reminiscent of Moby-Dick. Genetic analysis links it to Caribbean populations (Colombia, Trinidad, Dominican Republic), suggesting an ancestral lineage across tropical America. The species lives in dead canopy wood and helps decompose it, posing no threat to human structures. The description was published in ZooKeys by Rudolf Scheffrahn and colleagues.

via The Daily Galaxy|
#biodiversity#canopy#cryptotermes
Bed Bugs Retreat From Wet Surfaces, UC Riverside Study Finds
science2 months ago

Bed Bugs Retreat From Wet Surfaces, UC Riverside Study Finds

UC Riverside researchers report bed bugs actively avoid moisture and wet surfaces, likely because water can block their respiratory openings. Experiments using damp paper and water-covered areas showed bed bugs of all ages and both sexes retreat from moisture, with the youngest most sensitive. The finding could affect moisture-based pest-control strategies, and while a bath can remove bugs on a person, treating a room infestation still requires established methods.

via SciTechDaily|
#bed-bugs#entomology#moisture
First Mosquitoes Detected in Iceland Amid Rising Temperatures
science7 months ago

First Mosquitoes Detected in Iceland Amid Rising Temperatures

Mosquitoes have been spotted in Iceland for the first time, likely indicating a recent introduction possibly via ships or containers, despite the country's long-standing mosquito-free status. The discovery raises concerns about climate change and environmental adaptation, although the species found appears well-suited to colder climates. More monitoring is needed to assess their spread.

via CBS News|
#climate-change#entomology#iceland
home-and-garden11 months ago

Expert Tips to Prevent Mosquitoes and Ticks This Summer

To keep mosquitoes out of your yard, eliminate all standing water, maintain gutters and pools, plant mosquito-repellent foliage, and encourage natural predators like birds and bats. When mosquitoes are already present, use fans, DEET or lemon eucalyptus oil, and set up traps, while avoiding ineffective methods like citronella candles. Community efforts and environmental management are also crucial for effective control.

via Real Simple|
#entomology#home-and-garden#mosquito-control
Newly Discovered Spiny Stick Insect Stuns with Unique Features in Ecuador
science-and-nature1 year ago

Newly Discovered Spiny Stick Insect Stuns with Unique Features in Ecuador

A new species of mossy stick insect, Trychopeplus mashpiensis, has been discovered in the Chocó forests of Ecuador. The female insect, noted for its spiny thorax and lime-green eyes, was photographed in its natural habitat, while a male was also observed nearby. The discovery adds to the biodiversity of the region, though the dietary habits of these insects remain unknown. The species is part of the Trychopeplus genus, known for its reclusive nature.

via Defector|
#biodiversity#ecuador#entomology