Biting Midges’ Overwintering Activity Offers Clues to Persistence of Bluetongue Virus
A new study gets closer to answering how Culicoides biting midges maintain transmission of bluetongue virus to cattle in temperate regions year after year, even though individual midges are unlikely to survive entire winters.
Feeding Deer Corn With Tick-Control Drug Shows Promise in New Study
A proof-of-concept study shows the potential of feeding wild white-tailed deer corn treated with moxidectin, a derivative of ivermectin that eliminates ticks. Deer are key hosts in tick lifecycles, and systemic treatment could aid in reducing tick abundances. And, unlike ivermectin, moxidectin in deer meat may be safely consumed with no required delay.
Rising Temps Put Foraging Bees at Risk of Overheating
The more pollen a bumble bee carries, the higher its body temperature rises, a new study confirms. As average temperatures rise amid climate change, bees and their pollination services in natural ecosystems could be threatened.
Hot Competition: Climate Change, Invasive Fly Displace a Native Blueberry Pest
Life cycle traits give the invasive spotted-wing drosophila a competitive edge over the native blueberry maggot fly—and also make it harder for growers to manage. That advantage will only grow as temperatures rise, a new study shows.