Digging Deep: The Secrets Within Termite Nests
A researcher studying termites' digging techniques says that understanding individual roles in collective activities can shine a light on the evolution of such behavior and how social insects perform simple tasks to ultimately construct complex structures.
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.
CRISPR Cuts Through Layers of Butterfly Wing-Pattern Evolution
Researchers used CRISPR to cut out major wing patterning genes in Heliconius butterflies and discovered there's more than one pathway to rewind evolutionary time in butterfly co-mimics.
Why Integrated Pest Management is Due for a Reset
In a new paper in American Entomologist, three experts suggest a modified focus for integrated pest management that better accounts for evolution and tolerance to pest injury and shifts from control toward management.