School of Integrative Biology

Dracula ants possess fastest known animal appendage: the snap-jaw

2018-12-12

The mandibles of the Dracula ant, Mystrium camillae, are the fastest known moving animal appendages, snapping shut at speeds of up to 90 meters per second.

Four Illinois faculty members elected AAAS Fellows

2018-11-30

From left, mechanical science and engineering professor Narayana Aluru, computer science professor William Gropp and plant biology professors Andrew Leakey and Ray Ming are among 416 scientists elected AAAS Fellows this year.

North American checklist identifies the fungus among us

2018-11-29

Some fungi are smelly and coated in mucus. Others have gills that glow in the dark. Some are delicious; others, poisonous. Some spur euphoria when ingested. Some produce antibiotics. All of these fungi – and hundreds of thousands, if not millions, more – occur in North America. Of those that are...

Scientists study puncture performance of cactus spines

2018-11-28

The spines of Cylindropuntia fulgida, also known as jumping cholla, have a reproductive role. They latch on to passersby and carry small chunks of cactus flesh to new locations.

Study finds potential benefits of wildlife-livestock coexistence in East Africa

2018-10-31

A study of 3,588 square kilometers of privately owned land in central Kenya offers evidence that humans and their livestock can, in the right circumstances, share territory with zebras, giraffes, elephants and other wild mammals – to the benefit of all.

Caterpillar, fungus in cahoots to threaten fruit, nut crops

2018-11-05

New research reveals that Aspergillus flavus, a fungus that produces carcinogenic aflatoxins that can contaminate seeds and nuts, has a multilegged partner in crime: the navel orangeworm caterpillar, which targets some of the same nut and fruit orchards afflicted by the fungus. Scientists...

Berenbaum named PNAS editor-in-chief

2018-10-31

Entomology professor and department head May Berenbaum has been appointed editor-in-chief of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Prof. Mark Hauber receives grant for international collaboration on invasive birds

2018-10-25

Professor Mark Hauber receives a $270,000 grant to collaborate with Tel Aviv University researchers on how invasive birds succeed in new habitats.

Eating insects could help fight world hunger

2018-10-17

Insects could be a game changer in the race to combat food insecurity and achieve zero hunger. Eating insects can help fight hunger and food insecurity. They are a fantastic source of nutrients—like protein—and food at times when the production of commonly eaten staple African food crops, like...

Honey bee researcher Gene Robinson elected to National Academy of Medicine

2018-10-23

Illinois entomology professor Gene Robinson was elected to the National Academy of Medicine “for pioneering contributions to understanding the roles of genes in social behavior.”

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