Entomology

Preserved heads of two new millipede species, Lophostreptus magombera and Udzungwastreptus marianae. Credit: University of the Sunshine CoastResearchers have uncovered a new genus and five new species of millipedes in remote African jungles – and say the many-legged creatures could hold important clues to whether woody vines are choking or protecting the world’s forests.University of the Sunshine Coast Professor Andy Marshall said they found the millipedes – with heads that look somewhat like Star Wars characters – among…

A multiple-exposure photograph of insects circling a light at night. Credit: Samuel FabianRecent research utilizing high-speed tracking has explored the longstanding mystery of why insects are drawn to and circle around light sources at night. The study debunks previous theories, such as attraction to heat or mistaking artificial lights for celestial navigation cues, and introduces the dorsal light response as a key factor.It’s an observation as old as humans gathering around campfires: Light at night can draw an…

Since humans first began using fire, we’ve wondered why insects seem to have an irresistible attraction to light. With the modern use of electricity, the mystery has taken on new importance, as our lights disrupt insect behavior across the planet. Now, scientists say they’ve figured out why insects are drawn to the flame. Credit: Sam FabianScientists discovered that insects keep their backs to light sources at night, a behavior that suggests artificial lights disrupt their natural navigation. This finding, based on…

In Brazil’s Cerrado, Vadim Viviani’s research reveals a concerning decline in bioluminescent beetles, primarily due to agricultural practices and artificial lighting. This loss threatens biodiversity and limits opportunities for scientific and technological applications of bioluminescence. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.comSurveys conducted in the Cerrado since the 1990s show falling biodiversity as the agricultural frontier advances in the vicinity of Emas National Park. Species with biotechnological potential…

Scanning electron microscopy image of a chigger. Credit: Loganathan Ponnusamy, NC State UniversityA study in North Carolina has detected the bacterium responsible for scrub typhus, a serious disease, in local chiggers. The findings prompt concerns about the disease’s origins and potential health risks, with further research underway to assess the implications.A bacterium that causes a disease called scrub typhus – a disease not previously reported in the United States – has been detected in North Carolina, according to a…

In a significant discovery, Michelle Kirchner from North Carolina State University documented an entire colony of the rare Aphaenogaster mariae Forel ants in North Carolina’s Triangle region. This rare species, typically found in tree canopies, was previously little understood, with no records of the male ants. Credit: Matt Bertone Michelle Kirchner’s discovery of a rare ant colony in North Carolina sheds light on a species previously little understood, prompting further ecological research. There’s a species of ant that…

A new study at the University of Leeds indicates that traditional beekeeping hives may be causing thermal stress to bees by increasing heat loss. His findings challenge the accepted theory of bee clustering for insulation, suggesting an urgent need to revise beekeeping practices for better bee welfare.Honeybees do not naturally insulate their colonies against the cold, according to new research by the University of Leeds.The results of the study carried out by Derek Mitchell, a PhD student at the University of Leeds’…

Loncovilius edwardsianus crawling in the leaf litter in the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest of Chiloé, Los Lagos, Chile. Credit: Matías Gargiulo, through iNaturalistResearchers have discovered new beetle species, including one with a unique penis resembling a bottle opener, highlighting the role of insect genitalia in species identification. The study raises concerns about biodiversity loss due to climate change and aims to increase awareness and conservation efforts through their findings.Penises are more prevalent in…

Gender distribution of 2001–2018 entomology doctoral graduates among occupational categories in 2021. Credit: Annals of the Entomological Society of America (2022). DOI: 10.1093/aesa/saac018 Women pursuing careers in entomology face persistent challenges in obtaining jobs compared to men, according to a new study analyzing career tracks of recent entomology doctoral graduates.…

A dead northern giant hornet collected from Japan. Photo: Karen Ducey (Getty Images)The Asian giant hornet, popularly known as the murder hornet, is getting a new moniker. This week, the Entomological Society of America announced that it will officially adopt the term “northern giant hornet” as the common name for Vespa mandarinia. The change was implemented to avoid the use of a potentially stigmatizing geographic reference for the invasive species, while also more accurately describing the insect’s origins.V. mandarinia…