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Tag: Journal of Insect Science

Closeup overhead view of a soldier Asian subterranean termite on a light gray background. Termite body is slightly tear-drop shaped and light yellowish brown in color. Its head is nearly as large as its body, also tear-drop shaped but darker honey brown in color with two long reddish brown mouthparts extending forward from its face.

Nitro-Nosh: Why Termites’ Molted Exoskeletons Never Go to Waste

Termites' wood-heavy diet offers little nitrogen, a critical nutrient for growth and reproduction. But their exoskeletons are nitrogen rich, and new research shows that eating shed exoskeletons after molting is a core strategy for recycling nitrogen throughout the termite colony and boosting the queen's egg-laying.

turfgrass clay model prey experiment setup

How Insect Interactions Vary by Height in Turfgrass

Much like the different environments of a forest floor and treetops, interactions among insects and related arthropods vary within the much smaller-scale vertical zones of a turfgrass "canopy." Researchers using clay models of caterpillars to lure predatory arthropods are revealing what a difference a few centimeters can make.