Artificial sex pheromones are already used to control pests like the oriental fruit moth (example product below), and work by physically leading or trapping one sex away from the other to reduce reproduction. However, synthesizing these pheromones is often a complex and expensive process (2/5).

"Unsexy moths": Lund University researchers successfully disrupt pheromone production in the oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta), showing potential for a pesticide-free form of pest control (Image via Kristina Brauburger) (1/5)

(4/5) So, if something is bugging you about that new lipstick you bought? It could be a cochineal allergy. Recently, scientists have also been able to synthesize carminic acid in E.coli, providing a renewable alternate means of dye production at a cheaper and faster rate (Yang, 2021).

(3/5) Nowadays, you can find cochineal dye in many foods that have a red coloration, as well as lipsticks. Products containing carmine or Natural Red 4 are from the cochineal insect. The dye is generally harmless to consume, except in cases of individuals who are allergic to the dye.

(2/5) Cochineal has had a long history as a natural dye, dating back to Maya and Aztec peoples using the dye for paints and textiles. During Spanish colonization, Indigenous Mexicans produced large quantities of the dye that was then traded around the world. (Photo - OSÉ ANTONIO DE ALZATE Y RAMÍREZ)

(1/5) A Bug to Dye For? Cochineal is a scale bug that provides a strong red colorant when crushed and processed, and can be used to dye textiles, foods, and cosmetics. The bug is most commonly harvested from prickly pear plants in Peru and Mexico, which the cochineal parasitizes.

(2/5)Yellow mealworms and their close relatives have been studied for their capabilities to consume plastic. The manmade polymers within plastics are difficult for most microorganisms to break down and consume, which has led to an abundance of microplastics in the environment. (img: Belinda Animals)

(1/5) Scientists have been studying mealworms as a solution for biodegradation of plastics, offering one potential avenue of resolving the accumulation of plastics in the environment. (Image courtesy of Zorana Jevtic)

(6/6) Lastly, I've included some lanternfly images from the r/weeviltime community. Funny, yet informative! (First image from Reddit user Next_Performance6278, second from SubTester2023.)

(2/6) The spotted lanternfly feeds on plants, causing crop damage. When the lanternfly feeds, it secretes a sticky and sugary substance that can cause mold and further environmental damage (USDA). The USDA has created a helpful infographic to identify the insect at each growth stage:

(THREAD: 1/6) Spot a spotted lanternfly? Here's what to do: The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is invasive to the United States, and is a cause of significant agricultural and environmental damage in 19 states (USDA).

(1/3) NEW INSECTS JUST DROPPED: Two new insect species in genus Epidaus Stål, Epidaus batxatensis and Epidaus konkakinhensis, were discovered in Vietnam. These bugs are considered large for assassin bugs (family
Reduviidae), ranging from 21.39–24.04 mm (Images courtesy of Troung et al., 2025).

Here is a useful infographic to determine what a kissing bug looks like (courtesy of University of Delaware): (4/4) #cdc #publichealth #chagasdisease #kissingbugdisease

Hello bluesky, I've got a cat & dog picture as my first post :3