Limb Regeneration in Lady Beetles: Product of Selection or Developmental Byproduct?
Researchers studying the ability of several lady beetle species to regrow detached limbs during their pupal stage say the trait may be linked to genes that offer survival advantages when activated, but more research is needed.
Volcanic Rock Yields a New Kind of Insecticide for Mosquitoes
A derivative of volcanic rock called perlite shows effectiveness as a mechanical insecticide against Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. The substance is believed to act by causing dehydration in the mosquitoes.
Crowdsourced Surveillance Program Improves Public Understanding of Tickborne Diseases
A study evaluating tick identification via photos submitted to public health labs finds that IDs of the three most medically important tick species were correct more than 98 percent of the time.
High Adaptability Allows Invasive Fruit Fly to Thrive in New Environments
For the invasive fruit fly known as spotted wing drosophila, its success in expanding into new ranges is driven at least in part by a high degree of phenotypic plasticity—the ability to shift traits in response to environmental influences.