Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Bioinspired Engineering at Harvard University (USA) have developed a new material that mimics the strength, toughness and versatility of the insect cuticle. They have named it Shrlik, and in addition to being biodegradable and biocompatible, it has a low cost.
The mere presence of a predator can cause a dragonfly enough stress to literally starve to death, Canadian biologists have found, publishing their findings in the journal Ecology. "How prey respond to fear of being eaten is an important issue in ecology," explains Locke Rowe, co-author of the work.
Some male crickets protect the lives of their mating partners, risking their own. Specifically, when a danger looms, the males let the "ladies" enter the burrow first, even though this implies an increased risk of being eaten. These conclusions have been reached by a group of scientists from the United Kingdom thanks to infrared video footage of a wild population of field crickets.
Me or no one else. This seems to be the motto of the male cabbage caterpillar or Pieris brassicae, an insect that lives in Europe and North Africa. During copulation, the male deposits an antiaphrodisiac substance, benzyl cyanide, on his beloved.
Spanish researchers have carried out a study that reveals that global warming is endangering the survival and diversity of Mediterranean butterflies. Common species such as the zebra queen, 'Iphiclides podalirius', could be the most affected.
The parasitic wasp Dinocampus coccinellae protects itself from predators by allowing a ladybug to shelter it in the larval stage and then become its "bodyguard". The ladybug does not die, but is partially paralyzed and remains seated on the parasite while serving as a protective shield.
When people feel depressed and anxious they tend to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. Research published in the journal 'Current Biology' reveals that bees also have this pessimistic outlook when under stress.
Danni Büchner is invited to Sam Dylan's Halloween party. But the "Goodbye Germany" emigrant has no desire for many other party guests. And find clear words.
