http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/spiders/ Spiders, scorpions and ticks in the news. Learn why a spider hanging from a thread does not rotate, how spiders find a mate and how ticks carry Lyme Disease. Read about spider silk and spider webs. en-us Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:05:01 EST Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/spiders/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171613.htm The control of spider mites, which damage tree leaves, reduce fruit quality and cost growers millions of dollars in the use of pesticide and oil spraying, is being biologically controlled in Pennsylvania apple orchards with two tiny insects known to be natural predators. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171613.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026192905.htm While nepotism may have negative connotations in politics and the workplace, being surrounded by your relatives does lead to better group dynamics and more cooperation in some animals. That seems to be the case for spiders. Researchers found that Stegodyphus tentoriicola spiders are far more efficient at foraging for food and cooperate better when they're related to each other. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026192905.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114311.htm New research shows that male suitors of a female cannibalistic spider risk facing a premature death unless they perform an adequate courtship lasting a minimum of 100 minutes. Further, the research shows that "sneaker" males can slip by and mate successfully on the courtship efforts of the hard-working first suitor. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114311.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021115011.htm With would-be goblins and ghosts set to drape those huge fake spider webs over doorways and trees for Halloween, scientists in Wyoming are reporting on a long-standing mystery about real spider webs: It is the secret of spider web glue. The findings are an advance toward a new generation of biobased adhesives and glues -- "green" glues that replace existing petroleum-based products for a range of uses. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021115011.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020203418.htm Researchers have discovered a new, giant Nephila species (golden orb weaver spider) from Africa and Madagascar. They also reconstructed size evolution in the family Nephilidae to show that this new species, on average, is the largest orb weaver known. Only the females are giants with a body length of 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) and a leg span of 4-5 inches (10-12 centimeters); the males are tiny by comparison. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020203418.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020111621.htm Babesiosis is a potentially dangerous parasitic disease transmitted by ticks and is common in the Northeast and the upper Midwest. It can also be transmitted through a blood transfusion from an infected but otherwise asymptomatic blood donor. A new study finds a dramatic increase in the number of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis cases, leading to a call for a better screening test in blood donors living in areas of the country where babesiosis is prevalent. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020111621.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012121331.htm There are approximately 40,000 species of spiders in the world, all of which have been thought to be strict predators that feed on insects or other animals. Now, scientists have found that a small Central American jumping spider has a uniquely different diet: the species Bagheera kiplingi feeds predominantly on plant food. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012121331.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916173334.htm Potentially debilitating Lyme disease doesn't afflict people everywhere that the ticks harboring it are found. At least not yet. A five-university consortium wants to find out why. "These ticks are on the move. As ticks expand into new areas, more people will likely become infected," said Michigan State University fisheries and wildlife assistant professor Jean Tsao. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916173334.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090830103124.htm A device called the "4-poster" Deer Treatment Bait Station was highly effective at reducing the number of ticks infected with the Lyme disease bacterium in a six-year study in five Northeastern states --- Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island --- where the disease is endemic. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090830103124.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630202119.htm Transcriptomic tests have uncovered the protein composition of venom from the Scorpiops jendeki scorpion. Researchers have carried out the first ever venom analysis in this arachnid, and discovered nine novel poison molecules never before seen in any scorpion species. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630202119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723113514.htm In the animal kingdom, everything is not as it seems. Individuals of the same species can look very different from each other -- what biologists term "polymorphism." Sometimes the number of distinct visible forms -- "exuberant polymorphisms" -- in a single animal population can reach double figures. But why? Scientists have now developed computer models that may help to explain how this level of variation arises and persists. Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723113514.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804211128.htm Early relatives of spiders that lived around 300 million years ago are revealed in new three-dimensional models. Previous studies of the fossilized remains of Cryptomartus hindi allowed scientists to see some features of the creature, which had four pairs of legs and looked similar to a spider. Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804211128.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618200929.htm Money spiders infected with Rickettsia bacteria are less likely to 'balloon' -- that is, to use their silk as sails to catch gusts of wind and travel long distances. Researchers suggest that it may be in the bacteria's interests to ground the spiders and that this reduction in dispersal could reduce gene flow and impact on reproductive isolation within the meta-population. Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618200929.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629100639.htm Scientists are describing discovery and successful tests of the first once-a-month pill for controlling both fleas and ticks in domestic dogs and cats.  Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629100639.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608182551.htm Lyme disease is emerging in Canada, and is expected to increase with climate change, but effective, enhanced surveillance and clinician awareness will be key to minimizing the impact of the disease, write researchers. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608182551.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519214940.htm Spider monkeys and humans have similar ways of controlling their protein intake, suggesting that human susceptibility to obesity might have far earlier evolutionary origins than previously thought. Wed, 20 May 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519214940.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506202946.htm Agaporomorphus colberti, a diving beetle from Venezuela, was named by entomologists to honor Stephen Colbert, the satirical host and executive producer of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report." Wed, 06 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506202946.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090426182944.htm In a finding that suggests how global warming could impact infectious disease, scientists have determined that climate impacts the severity of Lyme Disease by influencing the feeding patterns of deer ticks that carry and transmit it.  Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090426182944.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326084754.htm Researchers have found that a protein in tick saliva shows promise as a potential treatment for the debilitating neuromuscular disorder myasthenia gravis. Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326084754.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090328152625.htm Spring is finally here, and with it comes tick season. Scientists are reporting the latest in a series of related studies on the effectiveness of a new technology that reduces tick populations. Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090328152625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325132330.htm Jumping spiders, a tiny chirping frog and an elegant striped gecko are among 56 species believed new to science discovered during a Conservation International Rapid Assessment Program expedition to Papua New Guinea's highlands wilderness. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325132330.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325091815.htm Biologists have discovered dozens of species of jumping spiders that are new to science, giving scientists a peek into a section of the evolutionary tree previously thought to be sparse. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325091815.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326152511.htm They are large, hairy and some are big enough to devour lizards, mice and birds. Despite their fearsome reputation spiders such as tarantulas — and even the tiny money spider — are now helping researchers carry out a range of studies in the field of genetics and evolution. Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326152511.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090216092939.htm The gut protozoans Giardia duodenalis and various species of Cryptosporidium are extremely contagious single-celled parasites liable to cause digestive disease in both humans and animals. Some species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium and Giardia are important zooneses, as they occur in both animals and humans. Zooneses are diseases that may be transmitted between animals and people. Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090216092939.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090209205151.htm Researchers have identified a protein that may help give Lyme disease its bite. Their findings suggest that the bacterial protein, which aids in transporting the metal manganese, is essential for the bacterium that causes Lyme disease to become virulent. Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090209205151.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205154033.htm A cheap, natural compound has been found to deter biting of mosquitoes and to repel ticks as effectively as DEET. Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205154033.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112110100.htm Scientists have examined the smallest features scorpion lungs. Tiny morphological features like the sculpting of the hair-like outgrowths on lamellae -- structures that fold like the leaves of a book and give the scorpion respiratory system its name, the book lung -- gives insight into the evolutionary relationships among scorpions. Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090112110100.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081231130944.htm New interpretations of fossils have revealed an ancient missing link between today's spiders and their long-extinct ancestors. The research by scientists at the University of Kansas and Virginia's Hampden-Sydney College may help explain how spiders came to weave webs. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081231130944.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111309.htm A rat thought extinct for 11 million years and a hot-pink, cyanide-producing dragon millipede are among a thousand new species discovered in the Greater Mekong Region of Southeast Asia in the last decade, according to a new report by World Wildlife Fund. First Contact in the Greater Mekong reports that 1,068 species were discovered or newly identified by science between 1997 and 2007 -- which averages two new species a week. Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111309.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215121557.htm As the cold weather creeps in, so do brown recluse spiders. True to their name, the brown recluse is a shy, reclusive spider looking for a warm home. Drawn to clutter, closets and complex storage environments, the spiders actually want to stay away from humans. But, if care is not taken, people could find themselves sharing their home with one of 'the big three,' according to entomologists. Often, bites occur when a person puts on a jacket or clothing that has a brown recluse spider inside, according to experts. Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215121557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081211121833.htm Shocking new research shows size isn't always an advantage in the animal world, shattering a widely-held belief that bigger is better. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081211121833.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081202170822.htm Most successful vaccines and drugs rely on protecting humans or animals by blocking certain bacteria from growing in their systems. But a new theory actually hopes to take stopping infectious diseases such as West Nile virus and Malaria to the next level by disabling insects from transmitting these viruses. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081202170822.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081205094509.htm Researchers have found novel prion infectivity in white and brown fat tissues of mice. Prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, are infectious progressive fatal neurodegenerative diseases which affect humans as well as wild and domestic animals. Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081205094509.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081208081008.htm Big males outperform smaller ones in head-to-head mating contests but diminutive males make ten times better lovers because they're quicker to mature and faster on their feet, a new study of redback spiders reveals. Published in the current online issue of Journal of Evolutionary Biology, the study shows the importance of maturation in defining mating and paternity success. Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081208081008.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118161239.htm It appears that for the first time human granulocytic anaplasmosis, an emerging tick-borne infectious disease found in the US and Europe, has been identified in China and apparently was transmitted from person to person, according to a new study. Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081118161239.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081110154042.htm A NASA space shuttle mission carrying a payload of web-spinning spiders and wannabe butterflies will be closely monitored by hundreds of K-12 students from Colorado's Front Range after Endeavour launches from Florida for the International Space Station Nov. 14. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081110154042.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020120129.htm Reducing the number of deer in forests and parks may unexpectedly reduce the number of reptiles, amphibians and insects in that area, new research suggests. A recent study found that higher deer activity is modifying forest ecosystems in unexpected ways. Out of several species of snakes, salamanders, and invertebrates studied, a greater diversity of animals were found in areas with deer populations than were in areas with no deer activity. Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020120129.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080910165846.htm A number of hypotheses have been proposed for why females eat males before or after mating. After looking at a wide range of data, researchers found that sexual cannibalism may not be a complex evolutionary balancing act of costs and benefits but rather a case of a hungry female eating a male when he is small enough to catch. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080910165846.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902225431.htm Many animals learn to avoid being eaten by predators. Now ecologists have discovered that bumblebees can even learn to outwit color-changing crab spiders. Bumblebees learn to avoid camouflaged predators by sacrificing foraging speed for predator detection, according to new research. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902225431.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080807080030.htm A new portable device allows researchers to humanely trap deer and other wildlife as part of field studies to control ticks and other parasites. Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080807080030.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080806113318.htm The ability to work together and capture larger prey has allowed social spiders to stretch the laws of nature and reach enormous colony sizes, zoologists have found. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080806113318.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080629080038.htm A naturally-occurring compound prepared from pine oil that seems to deter mosquito biting and repels two kinds of ticks has been developed. This newly-discovered repellent can be prepared inexpensively from pine oil feedstock in ton quantities for large-scale commercial applications, giving it a significant advantage over many of the other natural-product repellent chemicals. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080629080038.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080629142805.htm The bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, originated in America, or so researchers thought. Now, however, scientists has shown that this bug in fact came from Europe, originating from before the Ice Age. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080629142805.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080531074913.htm Spider silks are incredibly stretchy, but are they stretchy like elastic or springs? The answer lies in their amino acid content. Spider silks are made from proteins, and biologists have just discovered that the secret lies in the silk protein's amino acid content. Spider silks with high proline contents behave like elastic rubber bands, while spider silks with low proline content behave like stretchy springs. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080531074913.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080528124714.htm Sick female deer mice devote their energy to producing healthier offspring. Deer mice offspring of infected mothers were bigger, meaning they are more likely to survive and reproduce. This finding was unexpected because most mammals tend to focus on their own survival when they are threatened with sickness or infection. Thu, 29 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080528124714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527193138.htm Mammals cannot share their habitat with closely related species because the need for the same kind of food and shelter would lead them to compete to the death, according to new research. Wed, 28 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527193138.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516094431.htm Preliminary findings in one of the first landscape-scale experiments on how forest management affects western Ponderosa pine ecosystems have been completed. The results suggests that in the absence of treatments like thinning and controlled burns, old-growth characteristics will be lost as a result of lower growth rates and higher tree mortality. The scientists reached this conclusion by evaluating decades of growth data obtained on the experimental forest. Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516094431.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508181914.htm A biologist has brought his admiration of Neil Young to a whole new class. Or species, to be exact. A professor of biology has named a newly discovered trapdoor spider, Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi, after the legendary rock star. Thu, 08 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508181914.htm