An In-Room Mosquito Tracking Device That Lets You Easily Kill Them
(core77.com)
This hilarious and useful device is for tracking mosquitoes within a space.
This hilarious and useful device is for tracking mosquitoes within a space.
Cyborg cicadas play Pachelbel's Canon
(arstechnica.com)
Japanese scientists at the University of Tsukuba have figured out how to transform cicadas into cyborg insects capable of "playing" Pachelbel's Canon.
Japanese scientists at the University of Tsukuba have figured out how to transform cicadas into cyborg insects capable of "playing" Pachelbel's Canon.
A recent study suggests that insects branched out from crustaceans
(smithsonianmag.com)
Shrimp look an awful lot like bugs. The exoskeletons, jointed legs and compound eyes of both groups of living things give them more than a passing resemblance to each other, so no wonder some people call shrimp-like crawfish “mudbugs,” and a tattoo reading “shrimps is bugs” became a viral meme for underscoring the resemblance. But the tattoo got the reality backwards. Shrimp are not bugs. Bugs—or, more properly, insects—are technically a form of crustacean.
Shrimp look an awful lot like bugs. The exoskeletons, jointed legs and compound eyes of both groups of living things give them more than a passing resemblance to each other, so no wonder some people call shrimp-like crawfish “mudbugs,” and a tattoo reading “shrimps is bugs” became a viral meme for underscoring the resemblance. But the tattoo got the reality backwards. Shrimp are not bugs. Bugs—or, more properly, insects—are technically a form of crustacean.
Levitating Bugs with Sound Could Transform Scientific Photography
(petapixel.com)
Scientists used precisely controlled soundwaves to suspend insect specimens, capturing detailed photographs from multiple angles without damaging the specimens.
Scientists used precisely controlled soundwaves to suspend insect specimens, capturing detailed photographs from multiple angles without damaging the specimens.
A cretaceous fly trap? Remarkable abdominal modification in a fossil wasp
(biomedcentral.com)
Here, we describe †Sirenobethylus charybdis n. gen. & sp., based on sixteen adult female wasps in Kachin amber from the mid-Cretaceous, 99 Mya (million years ago), and place it in Chrysidoidea: †Sirenobethylidae n. fam.
Here, we describe †Sirenobethylus charybdis n. gen. & sp., based on sixteen adult female wasps in Kachin amber from the mid-Cretaceous, 99 Mya (million years ago), and place it in Chrysidoidea: †Sirenobethylidae n. fam.
Agriculture in Ants
(wikipedia.org)
Agriculture and domestication are practices undertaken by certain ant species and colonies.
Agriculture and domestication are practices undertaken by certain ant species and colonies.
First analysis finds America's butterflies disappearing at "catastrophic" rate
(apnews.com)
America’s butterflies are disappearing because of insecticides, climate change and habitat loss, with the number of the winged beauties down 22% since 2000, a new study finds.
America’s butterflies are disappearing because of insecticides, climate change and habitat loss, with the number of the winged beauties down 22% since 2000, a new study finds.
Flies fed excessive caffeine die within week: Japan study
(kyodonews.net)
Researchers in Japan have found that flies fed excessive amounts of caffeine generally die within seven days, a discovery that could lead to the development of insecticides that are less harmful to humans.
Researchers in Japan have found that flies fed excessive amounts of caffeine generally die within seven days, a discovery that could lead to the development of insecticides that are less harmful to humans.
The teeming life of dead trees
(knowablemagazine.org)
Though no one may be around to hear when a tree falls in the forest, countless critters take note. Dormant fungi within the tree awaken to feast on it, joined by others that creep up from the soil. Bacteria pitch in, some sliding along strands of fungi to get deeper into the log. Termites alert their colony mates, which gather en masse to gobble up wood. Bit by bit, deadwood is decomposed, feeding new life along the way.
Though no one may be around to hear when a tree falls in the forest, countless critters take note. Dormant fungi within the tree awaken to feast on it, joined by others that creep up from the soil. Bacteria pitch in, some sliding along strands of fungi to get deeper into the log. Termites alert their colony mates, which gather en masse to gobble up wood. Bit by bit, deadwood is decomposed, feeding new life along the way.
Do Insects Feel Pain?
(newyorker.com)
Insects make up about forty per cent of living species, and we tend to kill them without pause. New research explores the possibility that they are sentient.
Insects make up about forty per cent of living species, and we tend to kill them without pause. New research explores the possibility that they are sentient.
The color and color-patterns of moths and butterflies (1897)
(publicdomainreview.org)
Although better known for his study of marine life, Alfred G. Mayer began his career in the natural sciences researching insects.
Although better known for his study of marine life, Alfred G. Mayer began his career in the natural sciences researching insects.
Why do bees die when they sting you? (2021)
(subanima.org)
As Richard Feynman points out, every 'why' question in science needs to be treated with caution. This is because there are always several different levels at which a why problem can be answered, depending on what kind of response you're looking for.
As Richard Feynman points out, every 'why' question in science needs to be treated with caution. This is because there are always several different levels at which a why problem can be answered, depending on what kind of response you're looking for.
Doctors find live cockroach in Indian man's small intestine
(nationalpost.com)
Plagued by a stomach bug for a few days, an Indian man and the doctors treating him were surprised to discover the source of his malaise: a three-centimetre cockroach alive and wriggling in his small intestine.
Plagued by a stomach bug for a few days, an Indian man and the doctors treating him were surprised to discover the source of his malaise: a three-centimetre cockroach alive and wriggling in his small intestine.
Cyborg cockroaches can now be mass-produced in a robotic factory
(scmp.com)
Researchers have taken the concept of cyborg insects to the next level – automated mass production that could turn out cybernetically controlled bugs every 68 seconds, a technology that may prove useful in search-and-rescue operations or factory inspections.
Researchers have taken the concept of cyborg insects to the next level – automated mass production that could turn out cybernetically controlled bugs every 68 seconds, a technology that may prove useful in search-and-rescue operations or factory inspections.
Insects rely on sounds made by distressed vegetation to guide reproduction
(nytimes.com)
You may not want to sit next to a crying baby on an airplane. Apparently, moths feel the same way about plants.
You may not want to sit next to a crying baby on an airplane. Apparently, moths feel the same way about plants.
Plastic-eating insect discovered in Kenya
(theconversation.com)
There’s been an exciting new discovery in the fight against plastic pollution: mealworm larvae that are capable of consuming polystyrene. They join the ranks of a small group of insects that have been found to be capable of breaking the polluting plastic down, though this is the first time that an insect species native to Africa has been found to do this.
There’s been an exciting new discovery in the fight against plastic pollution: mealworm larvae that are capable of consuming polystyrene. They join the ranks of a small group of insects that have been found to be capable of breaking the polluting plastic down, though this is the first time that an insect species native to Africa has been found to do this.
The evolutionary mystery of the German cockroach
(johnhawks.net)
The species evolved to exploit human-built environments and exists nowhere else. So where did it come from?
The species evolved to exploit human-built environments and exists nowhere else. So where did it come from?
Vegetable growers in Australia deploy 'good bugs' to reduce pesticide use
(abc.net.au)
You would not know it from the outside, but inside the glasshouses of the Adelaide Plains a silent war is being waged daily — a battle of the bugs.
You would not know it from the outside, but inside the glasshouses of the Adelaide Plains a silent war is being waged daily — a battle of the bugs.
The electrostatic world of insects
(wired.com)
Invisibly to us, insects and other tiny creatures use static electricity to travel, avoid predators, collect pollen, and more. New experiments explore how evolution may have influenced this phenomenon.
Invisibly to us, insects and other tiny creatures use static electricity to travel, avoid predators, collect pollen, and more. New experiments explore how evolution may have influenced this phenomenon.
Oriental hornets can't get drunk
(economist.com)
Like people, many animals enjoy having a drink every now and again.
Like people, many animals enjoy having a drink every now and again.
The World of Electrostatic Ecology
(quantamagazine.org)
Invisibly to us, insects and other tiny creatures use static electricity to travel, avoid predators, collect pollen and more. New experiments explore how evolution may have influenced this phenomenon.
Invisibly to us, insects and other tiny creatures use static electricity to travel, avoid predators, collect pollen and more. New experiments explore how evolution may have influenced this phenomenon.
Wildlife experts warn of butterfly emergency as count reveals record low numbers
(news.sky.com)
Conservationists have declared a "butterfly emergency" after a vast community survey recorded the lowest ever numbers of the insect.
Conservationists have declared a "butterfly emergency" after a vast community survey recorded the lowest ever numbers of the insect.
Emerald Cockroach Wasp
(wikipedia.org)
The emerald cockroach wasp or jewel wasp (Ampulex compressa) is a solitary wasp of the family Ampulicidae.
The emerald cockroach wasp or jewel wasp (Ampulex compressa) is a solitary wasp of the family Ampulicidae.