In 1997, University of Florida spent 10 years developing a mosquito “diet pill.” Today, larvae fed the hormone-treated algae starve within 72 hours, offering an eco-friendly way to fight disease-carrying pestsA University of Florida scientist developed a mosquito "diet pill" using a digestive hormone. This hormone is delivered through algae, whic...
26 Aug, 2026, 06.11 PM IST
Wrap aluminium foil around your plants: Here’s what this simple household hack can do in your gardenWrap aluminium foil around your plants: Gardeners can use reflective aluminium foil around young plants to help deter aphids. The reflectiv...
23 Aug, 2026, 02.48 PM IST
In 1990s, Samoa released a predatory flatworm as a weapon against giant African land snails. 49 years later, the predator has outlived its original target-control mission and threatens native snails insteadThe introduction of the predatory flatworm, Platydemus manokwari, to Samoa aimed to tackle the invasive giant African snails. However, this...
21 Aug, 2026, 10.49 PM IST
Since 1965, Florida has used the alligatorweed flea beetle to control invasive mats; once established, it can cause them to collapse within about 3 monthsA small but mighty insect, the alligatorweed flea beetle, has proven to be an efficient guardian against the spread of invasive alligatorwe...
21 Aug, 2026, 06.40 PM IST
In 1888, USDA sent an entomologist to Australia to collect vedalia beetles for California’s cottony cushion scale; within a year, the pest had sharply declinedThe cottony cushion scale insect threatened California's citrus growers with devastation. The USDA took action by sending a scientist to Au...
21 Aug, 2026, 06.30 PM IST
In 1978, Japan released just 10 to 15 cane toads on Ishigaki Island; their population likely surpassed 20,000, and native snakes were found dead near the toadsA Japanese island's initiative to curb pests with cane toads resulted in unintended consequences. These invasive toads proliferated, wreaki...
20 Aug, 2026, 01.00 PM IST
In the 1990s, a predatory flatworm was released in Samoa to control giant African snails; it later drove native island snails toward extinctionBiological control efforts introduced the New Guinea flatworm to Pacific islands. This predator began hunting native land snails, pushing t...
19 Aug, 2026, 06.58 PM IST
In 1998, over 1,000 truckloads of orange peels were dumped in a barren Costa Rica pasture, 15 years later it turned into a dense forestIn a groundbreaking initiative in Costa Rica, researchers turned orange waste into a remarkable tool for land restoration. This organic byp...
19 Aug, 2026, 03.33 PM IST
In 2018, number of New York City buses were taken out of service due to fear vampires of insect world, nearly decade later as infestations are growing, how to safeguard wellness of kids, yourselvesFor centuries, the bugs have horrified homeowners and occasionally panicked the public. That happened in New York City in 2018, when at lea...
18 Aug, 2026, 08.21 PM IST
In 1500s, Spanish explorers introduced pigs into North America. Now areas where they roam free have fewer invasive speciesAlthough wild pigs have long been viewed as destructive invasive species, recent findings reveal they also play a surprising role in curbin...
18 Aug, 2026, 05.44 PM IST
Chemical sector: Although long, there is a way around China trouble; combine 20 stocks to get your portfolio’s chemistry rightFor the chemicals sector, it all depends on a transformation that is still unfolding and will take years to play out. Backward-integration ...
17 Aug, 2026, 11.07 AM IST
Since 1997, Florida has released Australian insects to help control melaleuca in the Everglades; its invaded range has shrunk by nearly 75% alongside herbicide and mechanical removalIn Florida's Everglades, Australian insects played a crucial role in curbing the spread of invasive melaleuca trees. By targeting these tre...
14 Aug, 2026, 04.20 PM IST
In the 1500s, European settlers brought pigs to North America as travelling food; more than 6 million feral swine now occupy at least 35 statesEuropean pigs introduced centuries ago became invasive feral swine across North America. These adaptable animals now inhabit diverse enviro...
14 Aug, 2026, 03.20 PM IST
In 1955, Hawaiʻi released a predatory snail to control giant African snails; it climbed into native forests and helped wipe out rare tree snailsIn Hawaii, the introduction of the rosy wolfsnail was intended to combat a pest, but it drastically backfired. Instead of targeting its int...
14 Aug, 2026, 03.10 PM IST
Quote of the day by Rachel Carson: 'Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never...' - American marine biologist's insightful take on on nature, happiness and inner peaceQuote of the day by Rachel Carson: Renowned for her contributions as a marine biologist and conservation advocate, Rachel Carson emphasized...
14 Aug, 2026, 01.56 PM IST
In 1998, an insect no bigger than a grain of rice reached Florida on imported plants; the start of a chain of events tied to the state's orange harvest falling more than 90%A tiny pest first introduced in 1998 has been the cause of devastation in Florida's orange groves due to citrus greening disease, resulting...
08 Aug, 2026, 05.19 PM IST
No rodents in California vineyards? Barn owls point to a new future for American farming as ‘fear effect’ cuts pests by up to 52% without poisonCould barn owls offer a new future for farming in America? New research in California vineyards found that areas with more active barn owls...
04 Aug, 2026, 04.56 PM IST