brenjamin (he/him)
@cisfaker.bsky.social
Scientific communication & whatever else strikes my fancy!
Information sourced from Dam's article on the paper, as well as the original paper itself: theconversation.com/we-created-a..., doi.org/10.1016/j.ib... (5/5)
We created an ‘unsexy’ moth that could be the key to greener pest control
Scientists have learned how to turn off moths’ sex signals – this could help farmers fight pests without pesticides.
theconversation.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Information sourced from Dam's article on the paper, as well as the original paper itself: theconversation.com/we-created-a..., doi.org/10.1016/j.ib... (5/5)
By identifying the gene responsible for the production of oriental moth pheromone, artificial production of the pheromone is now a much easier process. This discovery could have a very significant impact on agriculture, and provides a greener alternative to traditional pesticides. (4/5)
October 18, 2025 at 9:39 PM
By identifying the gene responsible for the production of oriental moth pheromone, artificial production of the pheromone is now a much easier process. This discovery could have a very significant impact on agriculture, and provides a greener alternative to traditional pesticides. (4/5)
Marie Inger Dam's team at Lund University was able to successfully identify a single gene responsible for the production of pheromones in female oriental moths through gas chromotography. When this gene was deleted via CRISPR, the resulting moths could not produce the pheromone. (3/5)
October 18, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Marie Inger Dam's team at Lund University was able to successfully identify a single gene responsible for the production of pheromones in female oriental moths through gas chromotography. When this gene was deleted via CRISPR, the resulting moths could not produce the pheromone. (3/5)
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).
October 18, 2025 at 9:39 PM
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).
(5/5) Thanks for reading today's Bug News post, and I hope you learned something interesting about cochineal bugs today! #insectfacts #bugnews #cochineal #fooddye
October 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM
(5/5) Thanks for reading today's Bug News post, and I hope you learned something interesting about cochineal bugs today! #insectfacts #bugnews #cochineal #fooddye
(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).
October 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM
(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.
October 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM
(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)
October 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM
(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)
(5/5) Original article sourced from Reuters: (www.reuters.com/sustainabili...), information also taken from Belinda Animals LLC webpage (tra46zx.undp.org.rs/en/2023/06/0...) #mealworms #entomologynews #entomology #environment
October 3, 2025 at 7:48 PM
(5/5) Original article sourced from Reuters: (www.reuters.com/sustainabili...), information also taken from Belinda Animals LLC webpage (tra46zx.undp.org.rs/en/2023/06/0...) #mealworms #entomologynews #entomology #environment
(4/5) Belinda Animals is one farm dedicated to the production of plastic-degrading mealworms. The Belinda Animals website notes that this method of biodegradation processes styrofoam completely with the help of microorganisms in their digestive organs, leaving no residues or pollutants.
October 3, 2025 at 7:48 PM
(4/5) Belinda Animals is one farm dedicated to the production of plastic-degrading mealworms. The Belinda Animals website notes that this method of biodegradation processes styrofoam completely with the help of microorganisms in their digestive organs, leaving no residues or pollutants.
(3/5) At Belgrade's Institute for Biology, researchers have trained mealworms to consume polystyrene: "When breaking down 1 kg of Styrofoam, larvae emit one to two grams of carbon dioxide ... If we incinerate (styrofoam it) emits over 4,000 times more" - Boris Vasiljev, owner of Belinda Animals
October 3, 2025 at 7:48 PM
(3/5) At Belgrade's Institute for Biology, researchers have trained mealworms to consume polystyrene: "When breaking down 1 kg of Styrofoam, larvae emit one to two grams of carbon dioxide ... If we incinerate (styrofoam it) emits over 4,000 times more" - Boris Vasiljev, owner of Belinda Animals
(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)
October 3, 2025 at 7:48 PM
(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)
September 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
(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.)
September 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM
(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.)
(5/6): I personally found the master post from r/weeviltime very informative, and it links to a lot of other resources on the topic! www.reddit.com/r/weeviltime...
From the weeviltime community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the weeviltime community
www.reddit.com
September 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM
(5/6): I personally found the master post from r/weeviltime very informative, and it links to a lot of other resources on the topic! www.reddit.com/r/weeviltime...
(4/6) Because the nymph stages resemble weevils, r/weeviltime, a Reddit community dedicated to weevils, created a master post to differentiate between native weevils and the invasive lanternfly: Another community, r/LanternDie, informs users of the ecological dangers of the spotted lanternfly.
September 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM
(4/6) Because the nymph stages resemble weevils, r/weeviltime, a Reddit community dedicated to weevils, created a master post to differentiate between native weevils and the invasive lanternfly: Another community, r/LanternDie, informs users of the ecological dangers of the spotted lanternfly.
(3/5) The best course of action if you see a spotted lanternfly or its eggs is to kill it immediately via crushing or freezing, which are two humane ways to kill insects.
September 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM
(3/5) The best course of action if you see a spotted lanternfly or its eggs is to kill it immediately via crushing or freezing, which are two humane ways to kill insects.
(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:
September 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM
(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:
(3/3) The original article from Troung et al., can be found here: europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ej... #entomologynews #assassinbugs #biology #entomology
September 17, 2025 at 10:16 PM
(3/3) The original article from Troung et al., can be found here: europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ej... #entomologynews #assassinbugs #biology #entomology
(2/3) All species of family
Reduviidae feed on other insects by injecting them with a liquefying venom and drinking the resulting juices, hence the name "assassin bug". While not fatal to humans directly, some members are vectors for disease. (Missouri Department of Conservation).
Reduviidae feed on other insects by injecting them with a liquefying venom and drinking the resulting juices, hence the name "assassin bug". While not fatal to humans directly, some members are vectors for disease. (Missouri Department of Conservation).
September 17, 2025 at 10:16 PM
(2/3) All species of family
Reduviidae feed on other insects by injecting them with a liquefying venom and drinking the resulting juices, hence the name "assassin bug". While not fatal to humans directly, some members are vectors for disease. (Missouri Department of Conservation).
Reduviidae feed on other insects by injecting them with a liquefying venom and drinking the resulting juices, hence the name "assassin bug". While not fatal to humans directly, some members are vectors for disease. (Missouri Department of Conservation).