Declining insect biodiversity in the tropics
A team of ecologists from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) are leading an international initiative to investigate the decline of insect populations in the world’s tropical forests. Insects, the…
Number of Monarch Butterflies Wintering in Mexico is Way Up–Doubling the Forest Acreage Over Last Year
Monarch Butterfly Population Nearly Doubles in Mexico A hopeful update for conservationists: The monarch butterfly population that overwinters in Mexico has nearly doubled this year, according to the World Wildlife…
How Developmental Temperature Shapes Neuronal Connections and Behavior in Fruit Flies
The rate of development of poikilothermic animals, such as insects, fish, and reptiles, is determined by environmental temperature. A research team at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has recently demonstrated…
Mosquito pain receptors are less sensitive during extreme heat
Hotter temperatures may render natural insect repellents less effective against mosquitoes, according to a new study. Researchers found that a pain receptor called TRPA1 becomes less sensitive in mosquitoes when…
Insect populations are declining — and that is not a good thing
Tiny, cold-blooded animals like flies depend on their environment to regulate body temperature, making them ideal “canaries in the mine” for gauging the impact of climate change on the behavior…
First Nationwide Study Reveals America’s Butterflies Are Vanishing at an Alarming Rate
A new study finds the number of butterflies has dropped 22% since 2000, a new study finds America’s Butterflies Are Disappearing at an Alarming Rate, Study Finds WASHINGTON (AP) —…
Animal kingdom’s most powerful puncher generates a ‘phononic shield’ to protect itself
The Secret Behind the Mantis Shrimp’s Devastating Punch Mantis shrimps are known for their lightning-fast, shell-crushing punches, but how do they withstand their own devastating strikes without injury? Scientists have…
King of the cave centipede: The deadly, blind giant that evolved in the darkness of a Romanian cave
The venomous centipede crawled into the Movile Cave millions of years ago and adapted to live in the pitch black, surrounded by deadly gases. Name: King of the cave centipede…
Moroccan Fly Maggot Tricks Termites with a Fake Face on Its Rear
Researchers have discovered blow fly larvae with fake termite faces on their rears that enable them to socially integrate into termite colonies in the mountains of Morocco. That’s an incredible…
Fruit flies’ courtship song may hold key to controlling mosquitoes
How fruit flies mate may hold a key to limiting the spread of diseases by mosquitoes. In a new study, University of Iowa researchers found a gene that orchestrates the…