Geometrical multiscale tortuosity of desert ant walking trajectories.

Desert ants stand out as some of the most intriguing insect navigators, having captured the attention of scientists for decades. This includes the structure of walking trajectories during goal approach and search behaviour for the nest and familiar feeding sites. In the present study, we analysed such trajectories with regard to changes in walking direction.

Geometrical multiscale tortuosity of desert ant walking trajectories.

Desert ants stand out as some of the most intriguing insect navigators, having captured the attention of scientists for decades. This includes the structure of walking trajectories during goal approach and search behaviour for the nest and familiar feeding sites. In the present study, we analysed such trajectories with regard to changes in walking direction.

Flupyradifurone negatively affects survival, physical condition and mobility in the two-spotted lady beetle (Adalia bipunctata).

Lady beetles play a crucial role in natural ecosystems and agricultural settings. Unfortunately, these insects and more specifically the two-spotted lady beetle (Adalia bipunctata) are currently facing a severe decline in populations due to various stressors, with pesticide exposure being a significant threat. Flupyradifurone is a relatively newly introduced insecticide and as existing research is mainly elucidating its effects on bees there remains a limited understanding of its effects on non-hymenopteran insects, including lady beetles.

Influence of the pesticide flupyradifurone on mobility and physical condition of larval green lacewings.

Global pesticide use in agriculture is one reason for the rapid insect decline in recent years. The relatively new pesticide flupyradifurone is neurotoxic to pest insects but considered harmless to bees according to previous risk assessments. With this study, we aim to investigate lethal and sublethal effects of flupyradifurone on larvae of the beneficial arthropod Chrysoperla carnea.

Influence of caste and subcaste characteristics on locomotion in the ant Camponotus fellah.

Worker polymorphism in ants has evolved repeatedly, with considerable differences in the morphometry of worker subcastes. Such body size differences and especially caste- and subcaste-specific characteristics might significantly influence locomotion. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive locomotion analysis along gradients in both body size and walking speed of Camponotus fellah worker subcastes, and of males, which have rarely been studied to date because of their short life spans associated with mating flights.

Locomotion in the pseudoscorpion Chelifer cancroides: forward, backward and upside-down walking in an eight-legged arthropod.

While insect locomotion has been intensively studied, there are comparably few studies investigating octopedal walking behaviour, and very little is known about pseudoscorpions in particular. Therefore, we performed an extensive locomotion analysis during forward, backward and upside-down walking in the cosmopolitan pseudoscorpion Chelifer cancroides. During forward locomotion, we observed C.

Allometry in desert ant locomotion (Cataglyphis albicans and Cataglyphis bicolor) - does body size matter?

Desert ants show a large range of adaptations to their habitats. They can reach extremely high running speeds, for example, to shorten heat stress during foraging trips. It has recently been examined how fast walking speeds are achieved in different desert ant species.

High-speed locomotion in the Saharan silver ant, .

The diurnal thermophilic Saharan silver ant, , is the fastest of the North African desert ant species. These highly mobile ants endure the extreme temperatures of their sand dune environment with outstanding behavioural, physiological and morphological adaptations. Surprisingly, has comparatively shorter legs than its well-studied sister species from salt pan habitats.