Nuptial Gifts and Other Romantic Gestures of the Bug World
In honor of Valentine's Day, here's a look at recent entomological research on how some insects and other arthropods woo one another with gifts.
These Caterpillars Go Bananas for Fruity Smells—and So Do Their Offspring
Researchers find that the butterfly species Bicyclus anynana passes down a preference for leaves that smell like banana to its next generation—another curious example of inheritance of a learned trait.
Treasures in Gemstones: Previously Unknown Wasps Found in Prehistoric Amber
An entomologist examining wasp specimens in fossilized amber from the Eocene (34–55 million years ago) has identified them as a new species, Brachyelatus marthae, and the first fossil specimens from the chalcid wasp subfamily Chrysolampinae.
In the Blink of a Fly: Flies’ Upside-Down Landings Inspire Robot Designs
Research at Penn State University reveals the intricate flips and twists that a fly performs to execute an inverted landing. Understanding the mechanics of the motion could help engineers design robotic fliers that land upside down, too.