Cattle Fever Ticks: Outbreaks Driven by Unique Landscape, Exotic Antelope
In South Texas, the unique landscape of the coastal plain and the presence of nilgai, an antelope species native to India, combine to drive a recent cattle fever tick resurgence.
How One Scientist’s Interest in Biosecurity Led Her to Entomology
Meet Laura Nixon, Ph.D., postdoctoral researcher at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, chemical ecology expert, world traveler, and subject of the next installment of our "Standout Early Career Professionals" series.
New, Fast DNA Method Spots Pesticide-Resistant Ticks
In its effort to keep cattle fever ticks from escaping quarantine in five counties along the southern Texas border, researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have developed an overnight DNA test that can detect ticks' genetic indicators of resistance to permethrin, a common pesticide used to manage ticks.
Study Details Mechanics of Flea Beetles’ Big Jumps
The tribe of leaf beetles known for their incredible jumping strength use a powerful catapult-like mechanism to spring away from looming predators. A team of Chinese and U.S. scientists illustrate the biomechanics of these beetles' jumps in a new study and say the findings could hold lessons for bio-inspired robotics.