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insect larvae
Trends
- 1Bumblebees fan their nests to keep larvae cool●# theBeeAt3 Basic bee facts every day at 3pm. 56. Bumblebees need to keep their eggs/larvae at an optimum temperature of
A daily bee-fact series shared a detail about bumblebee nesting behaviour: the insects must keep their eggs and larvae at an optimum temperature of between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius (86-90°F). During very hot weather, female workers and the queen position themselves at the nest entrance and fan the nest to regulate the heat inside.
- 2Autumnal Rustic moth wins admirers with velvet grey markings●# MothOfTheDay is a neat little fella in velvet grey with bold black markings. It is found all over the UK but only in p
A moth enthusiast is highlighting the autumnal rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa) as moth of the day, describing it as a velvet grey insect with bold black markings. The species is found across the UK but only in scattered pockets, so it is classed as local, and its larvae feed on a wide range of plants.
- 3Swarm Simulator idle game gets renewed attention●Secret game tip of the day: Swarm Simulator A text-based idle game for the browser from 2015. Use meat and larvae to bui
Swarm Simulator, a text-based browser idle game from 2015, is being recommended again as a hidden gem. Players start with meat and larvae, hatching drones, queens and nests to grow an ever-expanding insect empire, buying upgrades along the way. Fans describe it as a simple but addictive example of the idle game genre, where the swarm grows at a startling pace.
- 4Plant roots sound the alarm when attacked underground●Alarm in der Wurzel Wurzeln sind im Boden gut verborgen, aber keineswegs vor Angriffen geschützt. Insektenlarven oder Ne
Researchers describe how plants defend their hidden roots against attackers such as insect larvae and nematodes, which can wound root tissue and continue moving through the root system. Because damage is not limited to the attack site, plants benefit from triggering defence responses beyond the wounded spot, spreading an alarm signal within the root so other parts are prepared for further assault.
- 5Research on plastic-eating bacteria and larvae faces sharp criticism●Can bacteria and larvae break down plastic? The research is now facing scathing criticism
Studies suggesting that bacteria and insect larvae can break down plastic are now being harshly criticised. Other researchers say the evidence for true biodegradation is weak, warning that claimed results may not hold up and that the work risks overstating how much plastic can realistically be decomposed this way. The dispute matters because plastic-degrading organisms have been touted as a promising solution to the global plastic waste problem.
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Health and agricultural authorities are working to combat an outbreak of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae infest the wounds of warm-blooded animals. The parasite, largely controlled in the Americas for decades through sterile insect techniques, poses a serious threat to livestock and wildlife. Control efforts typically involve surveillance, animal treatment and releasing sterile flies to break the reproduction cycle.
- 7Wax Moth Larvae Yield First Map of Transcription Start Sites●Wax Moth Larvae Yield First Genome-Wide Map of Transcription Start Sites During Fungal Infection
Researchers have produced the first genome-wide map of transcription start sites in wax moth larvae infected with fungus. The greater wax moth is a common model for studying insect immune responses, and mapping where gene transcription begins during fungal infection offers a detailed view of how the insect's antifungal defences are switched on. The work is being reported in science media as a useful genomic resource for immunology and infection research.