Chrysalis Conundrum: Why One Butterfly Species’ Pupae Fare Better in Winter Than Summer
The drivers that affect survival rates of butterfly and moth pupae are understudied compared to their larval and adult stages. A new study examines silverspotted skippers (Epargyreus clarus) in their most vulnerable stage—and why their overwintering generations survive pupation at much higher rates than summer generations.
The Ambrosia Beetle Megaplatypus mutatus: Tiny but Destructive
Most ambrosia beetles are secondary pests on woody plants in both managed and natural landscapes. However, some of the most impactful invasive species in the world are ambrosia beetles. Megaplatypus mutatus, native to South America, has invaded other regions, and a new article in the open-access Journal of Integrated Pest Management reviews its potential impact and management strategies.
Night and Day: Researchers Hunt for Genes Tied to When Mosquitoes Bite
In regions where bed nets are common, some mosquitoes have shifted their feeding times to avoid the nets. A new study digs into the genetic basis for this behavioral shift.
Sky Islands: Isolated Mountaintops Teem With Unique Insect Communities
With cooler, wetter climates than lowlands nearby, mountains in the Interior Highlands of Arkansas each feature their own communities of parasitic wasps—and likely other insects—that differ from the insect fauna found on other mountains and in the surrounding valleys.