Brown recluse spider
The brown recluse are one of the most feared spiders in North America. And now the brown recluse – or Loxosceles reclusa – spider population is growing, and predicted to expand into the northern states as a result of climate change.
Continue reading… “Brown Recluse Spider Population Boom Result of Climate Change”
Stink bugs
Stink bugs, the smelly scourge of the mid-Atlantic, are hitch-hiking and gliding their way across the country. Officially known as the brown marmorated stink bug, sightings of the pest have been reported in 33 states, an increase of eight states since last fall. (video)
Continue reading… “Stink Bug Epidemic Spreads to 33 U.S. States”
Toxins in the banana spider’s venom contain a possible break through for erectile dysfunction.
Next time you spot a spider in your bedroom, don’t panic, as scientists say one of their species may actually help boost a man’s libido.
Continue reading… “Spider Venom the New Viagra”
A stalk of the newfound fungus species Ophiocordyceps camponoti-balzani, grows out of a “zombie” ant’s head in a Brazilian rain forest.
Originally thought to be a single species, called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, the fungus is actually four distinct species—all of which can “mind control” ants—scientists announced last week. (pics)
Continue reading… “Zombie Ants Controlled by Four New Species of Fungi”
Yellow sac spider
A spider that likes the smell of gasoline so much it chooses to build its webs in car emission systems was behind the recall of thousands of Mazda cars in the United States.
Ormia ochracea is a small parasitic fly best known for its strong sense of directional hearing.
It’s no surprise that many bugs have excellent hearing thanks to finely honed antenna. Checking out the giant antenna on the tiny bug above, it seems no surprise that they can hear surprisingly well. In fact, some insect antennae are so powerful, engineers haven’t yet been able to come close to mimicking nature. And that’s especially when it comes to small, directional antennae. It’s one thing to have whip-like “ears” like the bug above, but what stumps engineers is making very small, but very acute sound sensors. Yet a minute fly — with minute antenna — is about to change that, and help revolutionize how we built these structures.
Continue reading… “Parasitic Fly Could Help Revolutionize Antenna Technology”
The vast majority of the developing world already eats insects…
Will Westerners ever take to insects as food? It’s possible. We are entomologists at Wageningen University, and we started promoting insects as food in the Netherlands in the 1990s. Many people laughed—and cringed—at first, but interest gradually became more serious. In 2006 we created a “Wageningen—City of Insects” science festival to promote the idea of eating bugs; it attracted more than 20,000 visitors…
Argentine ants connect three nests in an empty arena via the shortest possible network.
Ants are able to connect multiple sites in the shortest possible way, and in doing so, create efficient transport networks, according to a University of Sydney study published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface. The research also revealed the process by which the ants solve network design problems without the help of a leader.
Continue reading… “Leaderless Ants Create Super Efficient Transport Networks”
Even tiny doses of ‘neonicotinoids’ made the insects more susceptible to disease.
Pesticides are making honey bees far more susceptible to disease, according to new research than links a new group of chemicals to the recent collapse in the bee population. The US research, revealed in a new film about the disappearance of bees, found even tiny doses of ‘neonicotinoids’ made the insects more susceptible to disease.
University of Florida researcher David Reed is lead investigator on a five-year study following the evolution of lice that found modern humans first began wearing clothes about 170,000 years ago.
A new University of Florida study following the evolution of lice shows modern humans started wearing clothes about 170,000 years ago, a technology which enabled them to successfully migrate out of Africa.
A bumblebee gathers pollen from a sunflower.
Four previously abundant species of bumblebee are close to disappearing in the United States, researchers reported Monday in a study confirming that the agriculturally important bees are being affected worldwide.
Continue reading… “Study: Alarming Decline in Bumblebees Found in U.S.”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.