Newly Drilled Ice Cores May Be The Longest Taken From The Andes Nov 5, 2009
Thompson said that the initial visual inspection of the cores showed that they contained a number of insects and plant materials that may have blown up onto the glacier from the Amazon Basin. "I've never seen so many of what appear to be plants and insects in any of the ice cores we've previously drilled," he said. (Science Daily)
NH woman's car hit by a escaped boar on interstate Nov 5, 2009
Fresno County farmers and ranchers are accustomed to dealing with tiny insects and plant diseases. But their latest pest is a big one, weighing in at more than 100 pounds. (Fresno Bee)
Sterile moths Nov 5, 2009
Sterile insects released to combat LBAM ... "The fertile insects have no idea they're mating with a sterile insect," said Dr. Greg Simmons, an entomologist overseeing the program for USDA. "They're laying blanks." Larry Hawkins, a spokesman for USDA, said that the program will provide scientists with essential data on the moths' lifespan, mobility and the recapture rate of the sterilized moths. (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
Eosinophils In Allergy And Asthma Nov 4, 2009
Common allergic reactions include eczema, hives, hay fever, asthma, food allergies, and reactions to the venom of stinging insects such as wasps and bees. Immune responses can be classified as Th1 or Th2 based on the type of inflammation and molecules secreted after stimulation. (Science Daily)
Man dies while removing bees from apartment roof Nov 4, 2009
Witnesses said Acosta had been working atop the building located at 10840 SW 84th St. around 8 a.m., in his protective gear near a swarm of the insects. Paramedics determined he died at the scene. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Messages from the natural world Nov 4, 2009
In Cricket Cage, two glowing pink-and-purple insects perch on the outside of a wooden cage that houses a brown cricket. Either the cage is tiny or the cricket and his luminous visitors are enormous. (Boston Globe)
Bringing the farm to you Nov 4, 2009
I explain to them how geese assist sugarcane farmers by eating away grass and nabbing insects, Roy said. I ve also got a pair of messenger pigeons similar to those used to communicate during the World Wars. (L Observateur, LA)
Stinky Mess Builds Up As Trash Cans Remain Missing Nov 3, 2009
Their trash attracted insects, started to smell and put family plans on hold. "We've had to plan birthday parties away from the house to keep from building up more trash," he said. (KIRO TV, WA)
Victim's Son: 'Think It's Your Dad' Nov 3, 2009
Capture, share community events. Victim's Son: 'Think It's Your Dad. (News4Jax.com, FL)
Property owners along Rogue bemoan removal of dam (3) Nov 3, 2009
By systematically adding bushes and trees, the banks can get firm, look better to residents and provide habitat for creatures ranging from birds and insects to the aquatic critters that rely on them. I think we re in this boat together, Barr said. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Slideshow: Immersed in study Nov 3, 2009
The class, focused on the study of inland waters like lakes and streams, had students testing the quality of several local water bodies, collecting and identifying aquatic insects, creating trout habitat on the AuSable River and learning the operations of a fish hatchery and the wild history of Northern Michigan. Along the way they camped overnight, piloted canoes down the Sturgeon River and donned waders to scoop bugs and position logs along the banks of the AuSable and Black rivers. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Hunt continues for lake sturgeon Nov 3, 2009
They cruise lakes and riverbeds, using barbels that hang in front of their mouth as feelers to sense snails, insects, leeches, crayfish and small clams. Lake sturgeon rank as Wisconsin s largest and oldest fish: A record 195-pounder was speared in Pokegama Lake in Vilas County in 1979; a 170-pounder was caught with hook and line from Yellow Lake in Burnett County in 1979; and an 82-year-old was taken from Lake Winnebago in 1953. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Greenspace: Household products can fix outdoor pest problems Nov 3, 2009
A plant infested with mites will have yellowed foliage and twisted leaf tips; the mites are very tiny reddish insects that you can hardly see with the naked eye. Mix 1/2 cup buttermilk, 4 cups wheat flour and 5 gallons of water. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Wyoming briefs Nov 2, 2009
The lab works with livestock diseases spread by insects and arachnids, such as ticks, midges and mosquitoes. A group of federal, state and local officials will officially announce the lab's move today at a news conference in Manhattan. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Program helps farmers who help the environment Nov 2, 2009
But, if the U.S. Department of Agriculture accepts his applications, he could get payments for measures he has taken to improve the fertility of the soil and to produce ladybugs and other insects that will prey on the pests that could harm his vegetables. The farm is rimmed with 20-foot strips of grasses and flowers _ various mixes of native prairie plants _ that are designed to harbor the beneficial insects. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Coal mines, power plant give Navajos income, controversy Nov 2, 2009
Last month, Shirley criticized the Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Trust and other green organizations for interfering with Navajo sovereignty and caring more about insects or fish than the lives of Native Americans. The rebuke was especially stunning from the leader of a tribe that has for years aligned itself with green groups in political causes. (AZCentral -- News)
GRAND WALKABOUT: Local men find plenty of good left in world as they hike 2,178-mile Appalachian Trail Nov 1, 2009
"After a while, you aren't worried about the bears or insects. They are doing what is natural, and those things are easy to avoid."Some people couldn't believe I didn't carry a gun for protection from bears and such. I said that I was more scared of people like them carrying guns in the woods. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
One Spider's Method to Prevent Over... Nov 1, 2009
Changing the Web Architecture Prevents Insects from Being Caught. Some spider brains are hard wired to kill and eat prey when it is captured. (Suite101.com)
Indoor Allergies or Perennial Aller... Nov 1, 2009
Insects and insect bites. Treating Allergies and Allergy Testing. (Suite101.com)
Phylogenetic relatedness and host plant growth form influence gene expression of the polyphagous comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album) Nov 1, 2009
Nevertheless, it is well established that chemical defenses of plants influence the host range of herbivorous insects. While host plant chemistry is influenced by phylogeny, also the growth forms of plants appear to influence the plant defense strategies as first postulated by Feeny (the "plant apparency" hypothesis). (BioMed Central)
Many factors combined to produce this autumn's heavy acorn crop Nov 1, 2009
"Late frost, humidity during flowering, drought, insects and the various species' responses to these conditions all influence production year-to-year. This summer Western Pennsylvania had abundant rain, which may have contributed, in part, to the region's successful acorn development." ... Because so many insects, birds and mammals seek out acorns, some scientists suspect that poor acorn production spaced between heavy fruiting may, itself, be a survival strategy for oak species. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Frogs, crickets and grasshoppers emerge (2) Nov 1, 2009
It's been cold enough that some insects are just now making their presence known. I saw my first cricket and first grasshopper today. (Minnesota Farm Guide, MN)
Cte d'Ivoire: The Needs of a Successful Yam Farmer Nov 1, 2009
com: Cte d'Ivoire: Without Better Storage, We Are Farming to Feed Insects (Page 1 of 1). Without Better Storage, We Are Farming to Feed Insects ... " But without it, tonnes of valuable food will be eaten only by insects. "We must urgently find effective ways to address the problem of storing agricultural produce," says Lucien Tap;, an analyst based in Abidjan, the Ivorien economic capital. "Producers are experiencing huge losses and as such, new techniques must be developed to assist them. (allAfrica.com)
Help may be needed to replace odd-size door Nov 1, 2009
Many other insects also die out in cold weather, but ants and termites hibernate, burrowing deep in the ground (as far down as 4 feet) to survive the winter. I do not have many wasps, but I figure they come in through undetectable holes and slots. (Boston Globe)
The lore of insects and allure of eateries Nov 1, 2009
Local Search Site Search. THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING. (Boston Globe)
Changing climate blamed for massive decline of aspens Nov 1, 2009
As insects thrive, thousands of trees are wiped out ... Starting seven years ago, foresters noticed massive aspen losses caused by parasitical insects, one of which is so rare it is hardly even written about in the scientific literature. (Boston Globe)
Growing and Caring for House Plants Oct 31, 2009
In the unlikely event of insects on leaves or flowers, the sprays used on outdoor garden plants can be used indoors if the manufacturers recommend it. Another simple way, if it is practical, is to clean the leaves under a running tap. (Suite101.com)
Paradise takes on the rats Oct 31, 2009
" For millions of years, Lord Howe Island - 600 kilometres east of the Australian mainland - remained the preserve of pure nature. It was populated by strange birds, plants and insects that existed nowhere else on earth. In 1788 the island was discovered by the crew of HMS Supply. Mice are thought to have been inadvertently introduced in 1860 and rats in 1918. The impact was catastrophic and immediate. In 1921 the naturalist Alan McCulloch wrote: ''Two short years ago the forests of Lord Howe... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Bug-borne disease lab heading to Kansas Oct 31, 2009
The lab works with livestock diseases spread by insects and arachnids, such as ticks, midges and mosquitoes. A group of federal, state and local officials will officially announce the lab s move Monday at a news conference in Manhattan. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Inconspicuous leaf beetles reveal environment's role in formation of new species Oct 31, 2009
"It's not a coincidence that plant-feeding insects are among the most ecologically specialized and the most species-rich groups on the planet," says Funk. . (EurekAlert!)
Africa: Food Crisis Forces Changes on GM Crops [interview] Oct 30, 2009
When you use herbicides you kill unintended pests and insects so we believe this is going to be very environmentally friendly. It is going to specifically target the pod borer. (allAfrica.com)
Amphibians rarely give earliest warning of pollution Oct 30, 2009
To investigate how resilient amphibians really are, Jake Kerby at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion and his colleagues analysed more than 28,000 studies from the US Environmental Protection Agency s Aquatic Information Retrieval (AQUIRE) database (part of its ECOTOX system), detailing the effects of various chemical agents on aquatic species, including insects, bivalves, fish and amphibians ... Insects, unsurprisingly, were the most sensitive to insecticides, whereas amphibians were... (Scientific American)
Sticky topic: UW researchers reveal composition of spider glue Oct 30, 2009
One of the scientists, Omer Choresh, said the glue secreted by orb-weaving spiders to help trap insects in their webs is among the strongest and most effective glues known in nature. The Wyoming researchers analyzed the chemical composition of spider glue by cloning the spider gene responsible for manufacturing the substance. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Feds ready for sterile moth release Oct 30, 2009
"* Page 3-20: "No direct crop damages have been experienced to date in areas subject to existing infestation"* Page #3-21: "no crop damages have been experienced to date"The damage Larry Hawkins of USDA claims to cane berry and blackberry crops is totally false. CDFA with the assistance of USDA fabricated the danger of LBAM. LBAM is not an insect of economic significance anywhere in the world.Jerry Powell, retired UC Berkeley entomologist noticed the moth in his back yard in July 2006. It may... (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
Monsanto adds corn earworm trait (42) Oct 30, 2009
"What this plot here is, is it's a large-scale thing because when you deal with insects, insects move," Christensen said ... The Genuity SmartStax section of the plot is intended for just that: monitoring the effect insects have on the Genuity SmartStax variety of corn, which already has traits that enable the corn to resist pests like corn borers and rootworms. (Sioux Falls Tri-State Neighbor, SD)
Hungry bats prompt firefly flashes Oct 30, 2009
Paul Moosman Jr.Fireflies are often toxic to bats, which see the nighttime flashing and steer clear of the insects, according to a new study ... are often toxic , which see the nighttime flashing and steer clear of the insects, according to a new study accepted for publication in the journal Animal Behavior ... Moosman explained, "Bats don't always catch insects directly in their mouths they often catch them with their wing or tail membrane, then scoop them into their mouth.". (MSNBC -- Environment)
Spiders Without Poison Glands Oct 30, 2009
Among others, spiders of the worldwide orb weaver family Uloboridae produce a primitive silk that does not have glue droplets, but is teased to entangle the body parts of insects that fly into it. These spiders have specialized combs of hairs on the tarsi of their hind legs that sweep back and forth over an array of spinnerets, the cribellum, as the array produces up to two dozen or more strands of silk. (Suite101.com)
Deer hunters do the silliest things Oct 30, 2009
I wonder how the insects know to avoid it if it has no smell. Think about these things, IT S MIND BOGGLING. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
River in the Highlands 'most active' for water bat Oct 30, 2009
Daubenton's bats fly close to river surfaces when hunting insects ... Nicknamed the water bat, it preys on insects found close to water surfaces ... The Daubenton's often fly within a few centimetres from water surfaces to take insects. (BBC News -- UK)
Aggression Chemicals In Ants Synthesized Oct 29, 2009
The research was conducted on the highly invasive Argentine ant, but the researchers note that the findings are likely relevant to other types of insects that rely upon chemical signals to identify each other. "Almost all living organisms use chemical recognition cues to some degree, but it is particularly common among ants and other insects," said evolutionary biologist Neil Tsutsui, UC Berkeley associate professor of environmental science, policy and management and the study's principal... (Science Daily)
Chemicals found that turn ants into warriors Oct 29, 2009
A research team of UC scientists has decoded the words in the secret chemical language of Argentine ants - a discovery that could lead to an environmentally benign pesticide against the insects that march into Bay Area homes every time the weather turns cold or wet ... But in San Diego County exists a tribe whose ants attack each other, and it was there, Tsutsui said, that two post-doctoral researchers in his laboratory, Miriam Brandt and Ellen van Wilgenburg, collected samples to remove the... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Hunt continues for lake sturgeon Oct 29, 2009
They cruise lakes and riverbeds, using barbels that hang in front of their mouth as feelers to sense snails, insects, leeches, crayfish and small clams. Lake sturgeon rank as Wisconsin s largest and oldest fish: A record 195-pounder was speared in Pokegama Lake in Vilas County in 1979; a 170-pounder was caught with hook and line from Yellow Lake in Burnett County in 1979; and an 82-year-old was taken from Lake Winnebago in 1953. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
* Intrigue at the Generalissimos pied-a-terre Oct 29, 2009
In addition to its rich flora, the area is home to more than 100 species of butterflies and many types of worms and insects. Visitors can hear the sonorous sounds of these small creatures and also see the twinkle of fireflies on summer nights. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Niihau residents upset by new rat eradication plan Oct 29, 2009
Foote said multi-agency cooperation is also involved in formulating a plan of "biosecurity controls" to prevent inadvertent introduction of non-native plants, animals, insects and other living organisms to Lehua. Federal officials are reaching out to large landowners and cultural practitioners, as well as residents of Niihau, in efforts "to dispel rumors and create a positive work environment," Foote said. (Honolulu Advertiser)
First Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds Oct 29, 2009
The small trees leaf out and insects become abundant, making an ideal stopover for migrating songbirds. However, with plenty of biting insects, temperatures often at 100 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity hovering near 100 percent, it is a difficult place for researchers to work, so there has been little previous documentation of life in the thorn forest. (Science Daily)
Halo 3: ODST Oct 29, 2009
Wading through those little insects (what are they called again. Grunts. (iAfrica.com)
Pesticides: Easier Detection Of Pollution And Impact In Rivers Oct 29, 2009
"You just need to find out which living creatures, e.g. insects and crabs, are found at a certain point along the river and in what numbers," Liess explains. The authorities responsible for water management usually have such data available, he adds. (Science Daily)
Chemical communication in ant colonies Oct 29, 2009
The success of social insects generally, as well as invasive ants in particular, stems from the sophisticated mechanisms used to accurately and precisely distinguish colonymates from non-colonymates. Surprisingly, however, the specific chemicals used for this recognition are virtually undescribed. (BioMed Central)
Halloween History Oct 29, 2009
Also, insects were attracted to these fires which lured bats, giving the present-day Halloween symbol. Roman Influence. (Suite101.com)
850 New Species of Invertebrates Di... Oct 29, 2009
Insects, Spiders and Tiny Crustaceans Found in Australian Caverns ... Australian researchers have discovered a huge number of new species of invertebrates, insects and spiders living in underground water, and micro-caverns amid the harsh conditions of the Australian outback ... Professor Austin said the 850 new species are not related at all to existing insects, spiders and crustaceans that live in the dry desert conditions and in the underground water holes. (Suite101.com)
Keep pets safe during trick-or-treating Oct 28, 2009
Most bats won t be interested in sucking your blood, but they ll happily munch away on the insects that may be pestering you while out trick-or-treating. Paying heed to the tips above, we can all work together to keep our beloved pets and our wild neighbors safe this Halloween. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Secrets In A Seed: Clues Into The Evolution Of The First Flowers Oct 28, 2009
When insects ingest parts of a plant digestion turns proteins. . (Science Daily)
Arctic Lake Sediments Show Warming, Unique Ecological Changes In Recent Decades Oct 28, 2009
The research team reconstructed past climate and environmental changes at the lake on Baffin Island using indicators that included algae, fossil insects and geochemistry preserved in sediment cores that extend back 200,000 years. "The past few decades have been unique in the past 200,000 years in terms of the changes we see in the biology and chemistry recorded in the cores," said lead study author Yarrow Axford of CU-Boulder's Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. (Science Daily)
Butterflies and punters to flitter in Birdcage Oct 28, 2009
Lion Nathan needs temperatures above 20 degrees for the insects to be active, and the second wave is being flown down as back-up, just in case beer-fuelled guests fail to handle the creatures with due care. And, please, don't feed them any James Boag Pure if you get an invite. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
5 nuggets of knowledge about tea Oct 28, 2009
thrips: noun, very small, destructive, usually winged insects that suck the juices of plants. tomalley: noun, the liver of a lobster, which turns green when boiled and is considered a delicacy. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
'Unicorn' Fly Had Three Eyes on One Horn Oct 28, 2009
The fly was also equipped with a pair of large , similar to those found in today's insects, for a grand total of five peepers. A specimen of this had been and was discovered in a mine in the Hukawng Valley of Myanmar. (Fox News)
Slideshow: Immersed in study Oct 28, 2009
The class, focused on the study of inland waters like lakes and streams, had students testing the quality of several local water bodies, collecting and identifying aquatic insects, creating trout habitat on the AuSable River and learning the operations of a fish hatchery and the wild history of Northern Michigan. Along the way they camped overnight, piloted canoes down the Sturgeon River and donned waders to scoop bugs and position logs along the banks of the AuSable and Black rivers. (Gaylord Herald Times, MI)
Ancient unicorn fly had five eyes Oct 28, 2009
Photographer Thomas Shahan specializes in spectacular portraits of insects and arachnids, taken very up close and personal ... The fly was also equipped with a pair of large , similar to those found in today's insects, for a grand total of five peepers. (MSNBC -- Environment)
REMINDER: CONTEMPORARY ART FROM ASIA: SPECIAL VIDEO SCREENING AND CONVERSATION WITH ARTIST SUN XUN Oct 28, 2009
Clocks, magicians, words, insects and bleak industrial landscapes become characters flickering across the screen in dark allegories on the nature of historical consciousness and the passage of time. The screening and presentation will be followed by a conversation with Carol Huh, curator for contemporary Asian art at the Freer and Sackler Galleries. (AbsoluteArts.com)
Letter: Tax dollars should not subsidize ranching Oct 28, 2009
Coyotes help control rodents and insects and clean up the carrion. Song dogs should be protected, not slaughtered. (Montana Standard, MT)
Not sure what Cuba has to offer U.S. with hurricane response Oct 28, 2009
My memory suggested the disease was carried by mosquitoes but Glenn Stokes of Mosquito Control Contractors Inc., who certainly knows mosquitoes and other insects and such, called to say he thinks it is actually horseflies that are the carriers of this disease. I wondered later if there were miniature horseflies that pestered miniature horses. (New Iberia, LA)
Modified crops reveal hidden cost of resistance Oct 27, 2009
"Our study has sought to uncover the ecological cost that might be associated with modified plants growing in the full community of organisms, including other insects and other diseases," said Ferrari. "We have shown that while genetic engineering has provided a solution to the problem of viral diseases, there are also these unintended consequences in terms of additional susceptibility to other diseases.". (EurekAlert!)
Pests get the slip Oct 27, 2009
Cockroaches, termites, ants and other insects that torment Texas and other regions around the globe could be walking on a slippery slope soon if scientists at in England have their way. The annoying insects are responsible for billions of dollars in damage to homes, crops and people s health around the world each year ... But a new type of cheap, durable, non-toxic and environmentally safe insect repellent coating has the potential to restrict the movement of many insects including ants,... (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
For jumping spiders, blood perfume is sexy Oct 27, 2009
Many insects provide humans with unheralded services such as pollination, sustenance and pest control, but some of them gross us out or worse. Most popular. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Calif. Drought Means More Imported Produce Oct 27, 2009
Not to mention, the importation of produce, having a greater factor of "non-native" insects and possibly "e-coli" or other communicable pestilence ... Not to mention, the importation of produce, having a greater factor of "non-native" insects and possibly "e-coli" or other communicable pestilence. (CBS News)
