Tag: entomology
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Early Fruit Fly Embryos Reveal Climate Adaptation Starts
Introduction: A Window into Climate Resilience As global temperatures rise, scientists are racing to understand how the earliest stages of life respond to warming. A new study from the University of Vermont examines the embryonic life of the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, revealing that clues about climate adaptation may emerge far earlier than previously…
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Christmas Beetle Numbers in Australia: Trends and Impacts
Understanding Christmas Beetle Numbers As Australia basks in the heat of a long summer, a familiar chorus of sounds fills the evenings. Among the buzz of cicadas and the whirr of lawn mowers, a particular creature signals the season more than any other: the Christmas beetle. Known for their dusty, iridescent exoskeletons and mass appearances,…
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Christmas Beetles in Australia: Summer Icons and Numbers
Why Christmas beetles captivate Australian summers As the days lengthen and school holidays begin, many Australians notice a familiar chorus of buzzing and the sudden, jewel-toned flutter of wings. The Christmas beetle is not just a seasonal nuisance or a species to zap from the sky; it is an iconic part of the country’s warm-season…
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From Sea Slugs to Sunflowers: 72 New Species Described by the California Academy of Sciences in 2025
2025: A landmark year for biodiversity discovery Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences (CaS) made a remarkable splash in 2025 by documenting 72 previously unknown species. This global effort, conducted with collaborators from six continents, spanned ocean depths and sunlit meadows, forests, and deserts. The year’s discoveries underscore both the richness of life on…
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Ancient Bee Nests in Fossils Reveal Surprising Behavioral Shifts
New fossil evidence uncovers unusual bee nest behavior In a breakthrough for entomology and paleontology, researchers have identified bee nests preserved in fossils that suggest behaviors never before observed in the fossil record. This discovery challenges long-held views about how ancient bees lived, especially regarding nesting choices and social structure. Traditionally, scientists imagined bee nests…
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The Surprising Reason Bees Replace Their Queens: How Supersedure Keeps Colonies Strong
Understanding Supersedure: The Cornerstone of Bee Colony Resilience Bees are famous for their organized society and intricate social roles, but one of the most fascinating mechanisms in a hive is queen supersedure — the process by which a colony replaces its reigning queen. This natural strategy helps ensure that the colony remains productive and resilient…
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Rare Pink Grasshopper Spotted in New Zealand’s South Island Could Signal Surprising Insect Diversity
Unusual Find in the New Zealand Landscape In a surprising turn of events, researchers conducting their annual grasshopper survey near Lake Tekapo in New Zealand’s South Island witnessed an insect that is as striking as it is rare. An exceptionally pink grasshopper basked in the sun along the riverbank, drawing immediate attention from the group…
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Rare Pink Grasshopper Spotted Along a New Zealand River: A Conservation Spotlight
Unlikely Color, Unlikely Location: The Discovery In a remarkable moment for entomologists and nature lovers alike, researchers conducting an annual grasshopper survey along a river in New Zealand’s South Island encountered a specimen unlike any they had seen before. The grasshopper bore a vivid pink hue, a color variation so rare that experts described it…
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Stinky Socks Replace People as Bait in River Blindness Surveys
Overview: A cleaner approach to a persistent problem River blindness, or onchocerciasis, affects millions across parts of Africa, Latin America, and today remains a major public health challenge in remote river valleys. Traditionally, survey teams used human bait to attract the Simulium black flies that spread the disease, testing captured flies or the people exposed…
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Stinkbugs’ mobile fungal gardens: a surprising symbiosis
What are mobile fungal gardens? In the world of insects, symbiosis often takes remarkable forms. A growing body of research has uncovered a striking example in some stinkbugs: female Dinidoridae species appear to ferry living fungal gardens on their legs. These mobile gardens, created and nourished by the bugs themselves, may help the insects acquire…