EntoSphere by Pujitha

 The 12-Year Hunt for Iowa's Rarest Insect Here's the story of a 12-year scientific detective case that started completely by accident. In 2008, an entomologist in Iowa found a tiny, unfamiliar insect in one of her traps. It turned out to be Fitchiella robertsonii , a planthopper so rare it had never been seen in the state before. That single discovery kicked off a decade-long search. The 12-Year Hunt for an Insect Ghost This one insect led two Iowa State scientists, Marlin Rice and M.J. Hatfield, on a mission. For years, they struggled, finding only two more specimens. The insect was a ghost. Then came the breakthrough. After painstaking work, they figured out its primary host plant: Indian grass . With this new lead, they clambered up steep, rocky prairies—the last remnants of native tallgrass habitats—to continue their search. In the end, they collected 219 specimens. That number might not sound like much, but it represents 90% of all F. robertsonii ever collected in the w...

What if viruses—usually seen as pathogens—could actually help beneficial insects do their jobs better? This bold question is leading to a paradigm shift in how we think about pest control, thanks to fascinating new research. A team of entomologists from Israel’s Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) and the University of Haifa is breaking new ground. While many studies have focused on the helpful bacteria living inside insects, this team shifted their focus to a less-explored area: viruses. The Wasp, the Pest, and the Secret Agent Their research focused on a tiny parasitoid wasp, Anagyrus vladimiri , which is a globally important biocontrol agent used to manage destructive mealybug pests. Inside this wasp, they identified a previously unknown double-stranded RNA virus, which they named Anagyrus vladimiri Reovirus (AnvRV). The virus didn't seem to harm the wasp. But when the scientists compared wasps that carried the virus to those that didn't, they uncovered its secret mi...

The government has recently rolled out new GST reforms for the agriculture sector, and it’s good news for farmers. Many essential agricultural goods and inputs now have lower tax rates, with some dropping to just 5% or even becoming tax-free. Let's break down what's changed and what it means for the farming community. GST Reforms Benefit Indian Farmer Cheaper Farming Equipment and Machinery One of the biggest changes is the GST reduction on farm machinery. The tax on a wide range of equipment has been cut from 12% to 5% . This includes: Tractors (with engines under 1800 cc) Machines for soil preparation, cultivation, harvesting, and threshing Parts for tractors, like tyres and tubes, which saw a significant drop from 18% to 5% This makes it more affordable for farmers to invest in the tools they need to improve efficiency. Lower Costs for Fertilizers and Inputs The GST on key raw materials used to produce fertilizers—like Sulphuric acid, Nitric acid, and Ammonia—has been slash...