Entomology
Raptorial limbs in insects evolved independently, not convergently
Although various groups of insects have evolved a raptorial limb for capturing prey, this does not represent convergent evolution. That is the conclusion drawn by Japanese entomologists on 7...
Bumblebee uses a ball as a stepping stone
Buff-tailed bumblebees can roll a ball towards an artificial flower to gain access to sugar water. Researchers say this points to spontaneous problem-solving ability.
New worker bee group responsible for the royal ‘peanut cell
Young worker honey bees are responsible for rearing their queen and construct a unique, peanut-shaped wax cell for her.
Larval pheromone drives worker bees to eat more pollen
Honeybee larvae prompt nurse workers to eat more pollen via a volatile pheromone.
Bug has one week to acquire its symbiont
Young leaf-footed bugs have just a few days to make their way from the tree canopy down to the ground, where they must acquire a symbiosis with soil bacteria. If they fail to do so in time, their chances of survival are slim.
A lodger in the limelight
With no fewer than 38 per cent of the votes, the large reed cigar gall fly (Lipara lucens) won this year's Insect of the...
The Asian tiger mosquito is here to stay in the Netherlands
According to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), the Asian tiger...
Snow flea produces antifreeze and heat to beat the cold
The snow flea produces antifreeze proteins and generates heat to withstand the cold.
Honeybees dance sloppily when no one is watching
Honeybees performing their famous waggle dance become sloppier when too few nestmates are watching.
Crickets have morning and evening types too
Just as there are morning and evening people, crickets too have distinct chronotypes.