Tag Archives: insect

Newly Discovered Giant Stick Insect Species in Australia

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Australian entomologists unveil a remarkable new species from the Stick Insect genus Acrofella, identified from two female specimens and their eggs.

Holotype of Acrofera Alta in its natural habitat. Image credit: Ross M. Coupland.

Originally described in 1835, Acrofella is a genus of stick insects belonging to the tribe Phasmatini.

Species in this genus inhabit nearby regions including China, Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania, and Lord Howe Island.

The newly classified Acrofera species is found in the highlands of the Wettropic Bioregion in Queensland, Australia.

“Key locations include Lewis National Park, Evelyn Tableland (likely encompassing Maarlan National Park), Topaz, Upper Baron, Mount Hypamie, and Dumbra,” stated Professor Angus Emmott from James Cook University and his colleague Ross Coupland.

The new species, named Acrofera Alta, can reach lengths of up to 40 cm (16 inches) and weigh approximately 44 g.

Typically light brown in color, this species is exceptionally camouflaged despite its large size.

“Although there are long stick insects in this region, they tend to have relatively light bodies,” explained Professor Emmott.

“As far as we know, this is Australia’s heaviest insect.”

The eggs of Acrofera Alta were also crucial in distinguishing it as a new species.

“Every stick insect species has distinct egg characteristics,” noted Professor Emmott.

“Their surfaces, textures, and corrosion patterns vary. Shapes can differ as well.”

“Even the caps of the eggs are uniquely identifiable.”

Researchers speculate that Acrofera Alta may not have been discovered earlier due to the inaccessibility of its habitat.

“Their environment could explain their large body size,” Professor Emmott added.

“It is a cool, damp habitat.”

“Larger body weight might enable them to endure colder temperatures, which could have led to their evolutionary characteristics over millions of years.”

The identification of such a large new insect species highlights the critical need to conserve remaining biologically diverse habitats and ecosystems, with potential undiscovered species like stick insects awaiting description.

The discovery of Acrofera Alta has been documented in a study published in the journal Zootaxa.

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Ross M. Coupland and Angus J. Emmott. 2025. New giant species of Acrofella Gray, 1835 (Fasmida: Fasmida), from the highlands of Wettropic, Queensland, Australia. Zootaxa 5647(4): 371-383; doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5647.4.4

Source: www.sci.news

The Bone Collector: Caterpillar Donning a Disguise of Dead Insect Body Parts

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Bone collector caterpillar from the Waianae Mountains of Oahu, Hawaii

Daniel Rubinov et al. 2025

The newly described “Bone Collector” caterpillar species disguises itself as dead insect body parts, allowing them to live in spiders and poach their prey. This is the only caterpillar known to use such a scary camouflage or have a roommate-like spider, a carnivorous animal and a booty cannibalism.

Daniel Rubinoff At the University of Hawaii, Manoa and his colleagues discovered a caterpillar while hiking the Waianae Mountains of Oahu over 20 years ago. They were looking for other species in the same genus, Low mass tumorAlso known as the Hawaiian Fancy Case Caterpillar. “I saw this little, tiny sac covered in a bit of a bug and honestly, I didn’t know what it was,” Rubinov says. “Then we’ll get it back [to the lab]and we realize there is a bit of a caterpillar there.

Newly described species of Low mass tumor – Has not yet received the scientific name – lives in a co-neck inside the trunk of a tree, among rocks and other enclosed spaces. It is the length of its claws and feeds on insects trapped in spider nets. “Only 0.13% of all caterpillars on the planet are carnivorous,” says Rubinoff. “That’s why it’s very difficult for caterpillars to evolve to eat meat.”

Bone collectors avoid becoming the prey itself in creepy ways. Decorate the silk case with fragments of dead insects and molted exoskeletons of spiders. Before disguising it, the creature carefully sizes each body part that may contain the ant’s head, beetle’s abdomen, or fly wings.

Bone Collector Caterpillar (left) uses his horrifying disguise to live safely in a spider (right)

Daniel Rubinov et al. 2025

“It’s probably the only way to survive with the spider, by covering yourself with the skin of the spider’s own shed and small pieces of past meals,” says Rubinov. This will make the caterpillars smell and taste more like garbage bags than juicy snacks for Arknido Housemates. After about 2-3 months it transforms into moth, smaller than the grain of rice.

If bone collectors are not fully accessorized, this caterpillar is also a cannibal. Researchers learned this after placing two larvae in the same cage, leading to one larger bet for smaller, weaker siblings. This is why only one bone collector is displayed per Spider Web, says Rubinoff.

Researchers have discovered only 62 of these creatures over more than 150 field studies conducted over approximately 22 years.

Genetic analysis shows that the lineage is more than 3 million years old than Oahu, meaning it was once again spreading. “Since humans arrived in places like this, we have lost many native species,” says Rubinoff. “Both we were able to find is a miracle [the bone collector]and it’s really sad that they are so restricted to this one place.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Big mistake found in large-scale insect research

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French scientist Lawrence Gorm and Marion Deskill bet initially expressed concerns about the new international insect decline database. The database indicated an increase in some insect species, contrary to previous research findings that showed a decrease in insect biodiversity.

Upon further investigation, they discovered errors in the database that highlighted the challenges in measuring biodiversity accurately. This led to discussions on the validity of scientific discoveries and the importance of ongoing debate in the scientific community.

Over 1 million insects discovered by scientists – Photo credit: Getty

The database, called Insects, merged various datasets and was analyzed by scientists from Germany, Russia, and America. The analysis revealed that while land insects were declining, freshwater insects were thriving, indicating a more nuanced understanding of insect population trends compared to prior research.

However, some scholars raised concerns about the accuracy of the database, with more than 60 scientists publishing a letter expressing their reservations about the findings.

The team behind the database acknowledged the issues and began working on corrections to improve the accuracy of the data. Although Gaume and Desquilbet were invited to collaborate on the project, they declined, emphasizing the importance of addressing methodological and statistical errors in scientific research.

Hopping to conclusions

One of the main concerns raised by Gaume and Desquilbet was the inclusion of different types of data units and the manipulation of natural habitats in the dataset. These factors contributed to inaccuracies in measuring insect population trends.

The Insectchange team, led by Roel Van Klink, recognized the need for improvements and committed to releasing an updated version of the database with the necessary corrections.

While controversies around the database continue, scientists like Manu Sanders emphasize the importance of ongoing debate and scrutiny in scientific research. Science is a process of continuous refinement and correction, where discussion and collaboration are essential for producing reliable results.

About our experts

Lawrence Gorm: Insect ecologist at the University of Montpellier, focusing on insect-plant interactions and biodiversity conservation.

Marion Deskill bet: Environmental economist at the Toulouse School of Economics, specializing in ecological economics and biodiversity policies.

Roel Van Klink: Ecologist at the German Center for Integrated Biodiversity Research, with expertise in insect population trends and biodiversity datasets.

Manu Sanders: Ecologist at the University of New England in Australia, researching insect conservation, ecosystem services, and scientific communication.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

China has uncovered impeccably conserved Cambrian insect larvae

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Named Yuti YuanxiThe newly identified euarthropod species fills an important gap in our understanding of how the arthropod body type emerged and was successful in its time. Cambrian Explosion.

Anatomical Overview Yuti YuanxiImage courtesy of Smith others., doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07756-8.

Yuti Yuanxi They lived during the Cambrian period, more than 520 million years ago, when most of the major animal groups known today first evolved.

This species is ArthropodsThis includes modern insects, spiders, and crabs.

It is about the size of a poppy seed, Yuti Yuanxi The organs are well preserved and of excellent quality.

Durham University paleontologist Martin Smith and his colleagues used the advanced scanning technique of synchrotron X-ray tomography to find the Yuti YuanxiThey have found a tiny brain region, digestive glands, a primitive circulatory system, and even traces of the nerves that control the larva's simple legs and eyes.

“When I was daydreaming about the fossils I would most like to find, I always thought about arthropod larvae, because developmental data are so important to understanding their evolution,” Dr. Smith said.

“But because the larvae are so tiny and fragile, I thought the chances of finding a fossilized version were virtually zero.”

“I already knew this simple, worm-like fossil was something special, but when I saw the incredible structures preserved under the skin, my jaw just dropped. How could these complex features have survived decay and still be here after 500 million years?”

“It's always fascinating to see the inside of a sample using 3D imaging, but this incredibly tiny larva has achieved near-perfect preservation through natural fossilisation,” said Dr Katherine Dobson, a palaeontologist at the University of Strathclyde.

“Studying this ancient larva provides important clues about the evolutionary steps required to transform a simple worm-like organism into a sophisticated arthropod body form with specialized limbs, eyes and a brain.”

“For example, the fossil reveals an ancestral 'protocerebral' brain region that would later form the segmented and specialized arthropod head nucleus with its various appendages, including antennae, mouthparts and eyes.”

“This complex head enabled arthropods to adopt a wide range of lifestyles and become the dominant organisms in the Cambrian oceans.”

“These details also help us trace how modern arthropods acquired their incredible anatomical complexity and diversity, making them the most abundant animal group today.”

of Investigation result Published in the journal Nature.

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Mr. Smith othersThe organ system of a Cambrian euarthropod larva. NaturePublished online July 31, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07756-8

Source: www.sci.news

19 of the Most Incredible and Bizarre Insect Photos from Around the World in 2024

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The winning work is Royal Entomological Society Photography Competition An exhibition has been announced showcasing amazing images of insects from around the world.

This tournament Insect Week It showcases the best insect photography by amateurs of all ages, shedding light on the miniature world of insects.

The overall winner of this year’s competition is Luke Chambers from the UK, whose piece “Sleeping Cuckoos” depicts two beautiful cuckoo bees resting on a blade of grass covered with morning dew (scroll down to see it).

The overall winner in the “18 and under” category was 17-year-old Gustaf Pallenmark from Sweden, whose work “Silence” shows a striped damselfly at rest.

The Royal Entomological Society exists to advance the science of insects through research and to increase public understanding and appreciation of insects and the vital role they play in the Earth’s ecosystems.

Here are this year’s fantastic contest winners and some other favourites.

Special Award for Under 18s – Purple Fire

Leaf-cutter wasp (Megachile lagopoda). This species is under threat due to intensive land use. Photo: Gustav Pallenmark

Portrait of Special Praise – Picasso Bug

The aptly named Picasso bug (Sphaerocoris annulus) was photographed in Louiru, Kenya. Photo by Robin Backhouse

Under 18 Runner-up – Robber Fly Breakfast

A spindly-legged centipede fly (Leptarththrus brevirostris) feeds on small insects. Photo by Jamie Smart

Special Award Portrait – Flowers of Evil

European mantis (Mantis religiosa) among cyclamen. Photo by Panagiotis Dalagiorgos

Honorable Mention Portrait – Brown Argus Roosting at Sunrise

A brown argus butterfly (Alicia agastis) warms itself on a stalk of grass as the sun rises, Martin Down, Dorset, UK. Photo by Richard Sheldrake

Particularly praised behavior – mating veins

Two mating Timandra comai moths. Timandra comai moths belong to the Geometridae family. They get their name from the distinctive reddish stripes that run from wing to wing. Photo by Heath McDonald

Specially praised environment – a pair of silverfish

These silverfish (family Bacillarioidea) appear to be stuck together in tiny clay nest structures. Some of their shiny silvery scales are frayed, which may indicate an imminent moult. Photographed in Western Australia. Photo by Frank Ashwood.

Under 18 Winner – Tranquility

A striped male Calopteryx splendens dragonfly photographed in Sweden. Photo by Gustav Pallenmark

Special Smartphone Award – Pollinator

A common Carder’s bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum) collecting pollen from a flower. Photo by Michael Wood

Particularly praised behavior – fatal attraction

A swarm of dead flying ants floats on the surface of a swimming pool. United States. Photo by Rosemary Haleem

Special Award for Under 18s – Camouflage Masters

An Indian praying mantis (Schizocephala bicornis) transforms into a leaf. The color of the mantis and the leaf are almost the same and it is impossible to spot the insect unless it is moving. The mantis’s body was following the veins of the leaf, making it difficult to identify. Photo by Kushaan A Ksheerasagar

Particularly praised behavior – Conopidae column

Male and female red-legged bees (Sicus ferrugineus) nestle after mating. The smaller male guards the female, making sure no other suitors ruin the night. Photo by Luke Chambers

Special Smartphone Award – Wasps join cream teas

A German hornet (Vespula germanica) joins a family enjoying a cream tea at a British cafe. Photo by Abi Batten

Special Smartphone Award – The Moth and the Mountain

A male wolf moth (Saturnia pavonia) rests on the heather on the slopes of Meal Buide. In the background you can see the summit of Stack an Lochaine in the Scottish Highlands. Photographed in Scotland, UK in May 2023. Photo by Marianne Cockburn.

Special Prize Portrait – Centipede

A brown heath robberies (Epitriptus cingulatus) resting on long grass in Droxford, Hampshire, UK. Photo by Stephen Mahy

Particularly rewarded behavior – Junk Bugs

Junk bugs (Chrysopidae) are voracious predators of the insect kingdom, so named because they wear vegetable matter and the exoskeletons of past victims on their backs as part of a complex camouflage to fool predators. Photo by Rosa Dunbar

Special Featured Portrait – The Third Eye

A photo of a velvet wasp (Ichneumonidae) in a moth trap in the UK. Photo by Ben James

2nd place overall – Caddisfly larvae

Spotted sedge caddisfly (Glyphotaelius pellucidus) larvae in a gelatinous egg sac. Taken on a leaf overhanging the water, this image shows newly hatched caddisfly larvae in a clear, gelatinous egg sac. The larvae fall into the water and live as aquatic insects through their larval and pupal stages. Photo by Tim Jonas

Overall Winner – Sleeping Cuckoo

A flying squirrel (Epeolus variegatus) sleeps on a leaf. Morning dew is visible on the surface of its eyes. Photo by Luke Chambers

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Cicada Spectacle: What to Expect from the Insect Apocalypse

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Remember in 2021, when Brood XIII and it’s coming soon.

What is a cicada?

Cicadas are large, durable insects with transparent wings and large compound eyes. They have a unique corrugated exoskeletal structure called a “timbal” on the side of their abdomen, and it is this organ that produces the loud buzzing sound.

By rapidly contracting and relaxing the “ribs” of the eardrum (essentially folding the eardrum), cicadas produce chirping, clicking, or snapping sounds. And thanks to the insect’s hollow abdomen, this sound is amplified.This is the most complex sound- and vibration-producing organ of any arthropod, and the eardrum is probably evolved over 300 million years ago.

Each species has a unique call, and the African cicada Brevisana Brevis, Also known as the high-pitched cicada, the cicada is very noisy. It has been recorded that it reached a whopping 106.7 decibels. – It’s almost as loud as a chainsaw.

There are over 3,000 species of cicadas around the world, but only one species exists in the UK: the endangered New Forest cicada. cicadetta montana. In fact, it is so endangered that No one has seen it since the 1990s.There is a possibility that that species is already extinct.

Adult cicadas can take up to 17 years to complete development. – Photo credit: Getty

Why a huge cicada explosion will occur in 2024

To make it easier to track the patterns of occurrence of different populations, entomologists divide cicadas into “family members.” This is especially helpful for periodic cicadas that spend longer underground than their annual or dog days.

Different chicks usually appear at different times. But this year is quite literally a once-in-a-lifetime event, as his two offspring, Brood XIII (born every 17 years) and Brood XIX (born every 13 years), will be born at the same time.

The last time these brothers were in sync was 221 years ago* in 1803. And he is in 2245 when it happens again. And it just so happens that these two of his brothers are geographically adjacent. So if you live in Illinois or Indiana, you’re in for a double whammy.

result? Billions of cicadas will emerge in a noisy mating frenzy sometime this spring. Some estimates suggest that as many as 1 trillion cicadas could be seen in this so-called “insect apocalypse.”

Brood XIII last saw the light of day in 2007, but it may first appear in April or when soil temperatures reach around 17.7°C (64°F). Brood XIX is also expected to follow him around mid-May.

Be careful of rain showers at this time of year. The influx of warm water will encourage these noisy creatures to leave their underground nests.

How many cicadas are there?

There are seven types of periodic cicadas, Magicada. Currently, in the 13 year cicada he has 3 different chicks and in the 17 year cicada he has 12 chicks. They are all native to the United States.

The next cicada emergence period is as follows.

  • 2024: Brood XIII and XIX – see below

Source: www.sciencefocus.com