Every mosquito has a type — and you may not be it
Peer-Reviewed Publication
This October, things are getting a little creepy and crawly. We're shining a light on the fascinating world of arthropods, from insects and spiders to scorpions, centipedes and more, and exploring the latest research on the creatures that crawl, creep and fly all around us.
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 20-Oct-2026 10:16 ET (20-Oct-2026 14:16 GMT/UTC)
Diallyl disulfide is an organosulfur compound derived from garlic, and R-carvone is a monoterpenoid derived from spearmint. Researchers processed these compounds into oil-in-water nanoemulsions and applied it to the adzuki bean beetle—a known legume pest. The researchers found that the nanoemulsions were highly toxic against the pest, suggesting that they could be a promising environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pest-control agents.
Researchers found that automated camera traps detected codling moth activity earlier than conventional monitoring, offering a more precise way to track pest movement in apple orchards.
Using satellite data, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have identified an unprecedented loss of aboveground biomass in Europe’s forests since 2018. Forests in Central Europe, which have been heavily affected by drought and bark beetle outbreaks, have been particularly impacted. The study also shows that even small increases in disturbed forest area can release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. The findings raise concerns about the European Union's ability to meet its climate goals.
A research paper by scientists from Harbin Institute of Technology proposed an integrate the characteristics of different animals, an insect-scale tripedal piezoelectric robot incorporating multiple biomimetic features.
The new research paper, published on Jul. 23 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, provided an insect‑scale piezoelectric robot that combines multiple biomimetic features inspired by both fish and seals.
The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, spreads serious pathogens. Ryo Nakao and colleagues explored the genetic structure of native and introduced H. longicornis populations. SNP analysis showed gene flow between clades, suggesting that parthenogenesis evolved multiple times. According to the authors, the ability to evolve parthenogenesis may help explain the spread of this vector species.