Cockroaches release indoor allergens

Cockroaches are more nasty than we have previously known!

"The presence of cockroaches, particularly in lower-income urban households, is a known risk factor associated with the development of allergies or asthma among children. However, a causal relationship between cockroach presence and levels of endotoxins in homes was unclear. Kakumanu et al. addressed this with laboratory assays from apartments in North Carolina. They found that roach feces, especially from females, increased allergen and endotoxin levels in homes. Compared with bedrooms, kitchens had more allergens because they provided the main sources of food for roaches. Importantly, when exterminators eliminated the pests, air quality greatly improved, illustrating the need for effective pest control to protect children’s health."

From the abstract:

"Background

Cockroach allergens are well recognized as important risk factors in the development and prevalence of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children, especially in low-income urban households. The German cockroach gut hosts a diverse community of highly abundant microbes, including gram-negative bacteria that shed large amounts of endotoxins in cockroach feces.

Objective

We sought to delineate the causal relationship between the presence of cockroaches in homes and levels of household endotoxins.

Methods

In laboratory assays, we measured the amount of endotoxin produced by cockroaches.

In-home monitoring estimated the size of the cockroach population in each home and quantified cockroach allergen Bla g 2 and endotoxin levels in household dust and on heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) filters. An environmental intervention was implemented in a subset of the infested homes to eliminate cockroaches. Bla g 2 and endotoxin levels were quantified for 6 months after the intervention.

Results

Large amounts of endotoxin are excreted by female (2900 endotoxin units [EU]/mg feces) and male (1400 EU/mg) cockroaches.

At baseline, household dust and HVAC filters in infested homes had significantly higher levels of allergen (Bla g 2) and endotoxin than uninfested homes. Environmental intervention resulted in significant declines in cockroaches as well as allergen and endotoxin levels. In contrast, cockroach numbers and allergen and endotoxin concentrations remained high in infested-control homes.

Conclusions

Cockroaches are a significant source of both endotoxins and potent allergens, potentially resulting in coexposure of asthmatic children to both."

In Other Journals | Science

Indoor allergens and endotoxins in relation to cockroach infestations in low-income urban homes

40 robot rabbits deployed in South Florida to lure out invasive Burmese pythons

Amazing stuff! Will it work?

Pythons primarily sense their prey using a combination of sight, smell, and heat detection. So these robots smell right and are warm enough? 😊

"Researchers have deployed 40 robot rabbits in South Florida to lure out invasive Burmese pythons. The robot bunnies use motion sensors and cameras to alert scientists when a python gets close."

"... As reported by The Palm Beach Post, researchers led by UF professor of wildlife ecology and conservation Robert McCleery have released 40 solar-powered, remote-controlled robot bunnies in South Florida this month. The researchers replaced the plush toy’s stuffing with motors and heaters to imitate the motions and body temperatures of one of pythons’ favorite snacks: marsh rabbits (Sylvilagus palustris). ..."

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - Join The Flyover

Robot bunnies deployed in Florida to fight invasive pythons "Researchers found a creative new solution to track down the snakes."

Dr. Chris Dutton and his Robo-bunnies tackle the Burmese Python problem in the Everglades (original news release)

Lasers match common herbicides at zapping weeds

Good news! However, the machine (see photo below) looks unwieldy! Some miniaturization might be necessary.

"Commercial laser weeders are large machines that pass over crop rows and take photos. A deep learning computer program analyzes the images to distinguish weeds from crops. Then, the lasers zap the weeds to kill them. The machine’s computer program also allows farmers to prioritize types of weeds, such as smaller plants that are close to the crop that may be difficult for humans to see and eliminate, for the lasers to target. ..."

From the abstract:

"BACKGROUND

Herbicides are the primary weed management method for processing vegetable growers, but challenges such as limited chemical options, herbicide resistance, crop injury risks, regulatory changes, and shifting consumer preferences are driving interest in nonchemical alternatives like laser weeding. In 2024, three research trials in New Jersey and New York evaluated the effectiveness of laser weeding using a commercial unit and comparing it with pre-emergence- and postemergence-applied herbicides on beet (Beta vulgaris L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and pea (Pisum sativum L.).

RESULTS

Across all trials, laser weeding was as effective as or superior to S-metolachlor, bentazon and phenmedipham herbicides applied at label rate in controlling erect annual weeds, including common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.). However, laser weeding was less effective on purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and annual grasses in New York because of sequential emergence patterns and protected meristems, respectively. Compared with untreated controls, laser weeding reduced weed cover by ≥45% and density by ≥66%, resulting in ≥97% less weed biomass by the season's end. In addition, crop stunting did not exceed 1% and crop biomass increased by ≥30% when laser weeding replaced herbicide applications.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that multiple laser passes can control weeds without damaging crops, leading to higher yields than conventional herbicides. Further research is needed to optimize laser weeding across different environments and weed species, and to evaluate commercial units with increased laser capacity and faster processing speeds."

Lasers match common herbicides at zapping East Coast weeds | Cornell Chronicle

Deep learning-based laser weed control compared to conventional herbicide application across three vegetable production systems (open access)

Carbon Robotics Autonomous LaserWeeder™ demonstration unit in operation in Geneva, NY.

Zap mosquitoes at home with an AI-guided laser system of the size of a smartphone

Amazing stuff! Do you need to wear any eye protection goggles?

"This new AI-powered gadget claims to shoot down up to 30 mosquitoes per second using laser bursts. It retails for $500."

"... It does so using a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) module which determines the locations of objects by emitting laser light pulses, then measuring how long it takes that laser light to be reflected back by whatever it hits.

When a mosquito is detected in this fashion, a second galvanometer-directed laser is instantaneously used to fatally zap the insect. ...

It should be noted that mosquitoes won't be detected if they're flying any faster than 1 meter (3.3 ft) per second. For this reason, the device isn't ideal for use on speedier pest insects such as houseflies.

The Basic Edition model of the Photon Matrix has a 90-degree, 3-meter (9.8-ft) scanning/killing range, which is boosted to 6 meters (19.7 ft) in the Pro Version. Both models are claimed to be capable of dispatching up to 30 mosquitoes per second. And yes, they even work in pitch-black bedrooms. ..."

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - Join The Flyover

This ‘Iron Dome’ for mosquitoes shoots down bugs with lasers "The Photon Matrix is an AI-guided laser system that claims it can zap up to 30 mosquitoes per second."

Laser-wielding device is like an anti-aircraft system for mosquitoes

Houston has the most cockroach infestations of any U.S. city, study says

Maybe Houston needs a clean up a la San Francisco? Houston, we have a problem!

"The largest city in Texas is leading the Top 25 Roachiest Cities in America list with more infestations than other metro areas, according to a Pest Gnome study.
The online marketplace for pest control services has named the country's fourth largest city, Houston, as No. 1 partially due to 37% of homes showing signs of pests in the past 12 months. ..."

Houston ranked the highest for roach infestations by study

Cold temperature, reproduction link holds promise for insect control

Good news!

"Scientists have uncovered a set of neurons in fruit flies that shut down in cold temperatures and slow reproduction, a system conserved in many insects, including mosquitoes, which could provide a target for pest control. ...
In the study, the researchers conducted genetic screens and identified a subset of circadian neurons in the fly brain. These circadian neurons are important for sensing and responding to such environmental cues as light and cold and for keeping time in the brain, but they are not well understood. ...

Their investigation revealed  an insect neuropeptide (signaling protein) called Allotostatin (AstC) is expressed specifically in these circadian neurons. Experiments showed that both injecting AstC or over-expressing the neuropeptide from the dorsal neurons stimulated egg production. Furthermore, AstC gene expression was also regulated by temperature, levels of AstC was low at cold temperatures and increased in in warm temperatures. “It looks like both the dorsal neuron activity and the neuropeptide expression decrease in the cold,” ...

The researchers also discovered the receptor that the AstC neuropeptide binds with to activate egg production. ..."

From the abstract:

"... Similar to other insects, the fly, Drosophila melanogaster, responds to sustained cold by reducing its metabolic rate and arresting its reproduction. Here, we show that a subset of dorsal neurons (DN3s) that express the neuropeptide allatostatin C (AstC) facilitates recovery from cold-induced reproductive dormancy. The activity of AstC-expressing DN3s, as well as AstC peptide levels, are suppressed by cold. Cold temperature also impacts AstC levels in other Drosophila species and mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, and Anopheles stephensi. T... AstC/AstC-R2 is conserved across many insect species and their role in regulating female reproductive capacity makes them an ideal target for controlling the population of agricultural pests and human disease vectors."

Temperature, reproduction link holds promise for insect control | Cornell Chronicle

Recovery from cold-induced reproductive dormancy is regulated by temperature-dependent AstC signaling (no public access, but article above contains link to PDF file)

First US Field Test of genetically modified Mosquitoes Begins in Florida

Good news!

Do we actually need these disease carrying bloodsuckers for anything at all? What are mosquitoes good for? What if we eradicated mosquitoes from this planet?

"... According to Oxitec, the modified mosquitoes are all male and carry a gene that makes female mosquitoes dependent on an antibiotic not available in the animals’ environment, thereby killing all of the male’s female offspring. ..."

First US Field Test of GM Mosquitoes Begins in Florida | The Scientist Magazine® After years of push back, the first batch of Oxitec’s engineered mosquitoes, designed to reduce population numbers, have been released in the Keys.

First Report of Horizontal Gene Transfer Between Plant and Animal

Recommendable! Nature is full of surprises! We still know very little!

This research may hint at new ways of pest control in agriculture!

"... The gene, BtPMaT1, protects the insects from phenolic glycosides, toxins that many plants produce to defend themselves against such pests, thus allowing the whiteflies to feast. ..."

"... Plants protect themselves with a vast array of toxic secondary metabolites, yet most plants serve as food for insects. [Is this not ironic!] The evolutionary processes that allow herbivorous insects to resist plant defenses remain largely unknown. ... Here, we show that, through an exceptional horizontal gene transfer event, the whitefly has acquired the plant-derived phenolic glucoside malonyltransferase gene BtPMaT1. This gene enables whiteflies to neutralize phenolic glucosides. This was confirmed by genetically transforming tomato plants to produce small interfering RNAs that silence BtPMaT1, thus impairing the whiteflies’ detoxification ability. ..."

First Report of Horizontal Gene Transfer Between Plant and Animal | The Scientist Magazine® Whiteflies overcome a toxin in plants they eat through the use of the plant’s own genetic protection, likely ferried from plant to insect millions of years ago by a virus

Here is the link to the underlying research article:

Whitefly hijacks a plant detoxification gene that neutralizes plant toxins

A single molecule may bring solitary locusts together into swarms

Very recommendable! Very good news!



A single molecule may bring solitary locusts together into swarms | Science News The compound emitted by the insects could lead to new pest control measures

Israeli students find pesticide-free way to kill mosquitos

Seems to be quite a promising, novel way to kill mosquitos and perhaps even to control mosquito populations.

"a genetically engineered solution – have the males transfer to the females a specific type of bacteria that poisons mosquito larvae. ...   previous ... research had discovered bacteria in the mosquito’s gut called BTI. When activated, BTI produces a poison that only kills mosquito larvae ... tweaked the male mosquito’s gut microbiome to express BTI and then sent it off to find and mate with females. The females transfer the bacteria on the eggs, and when the larvae are born, most of them die. The remaining larvae eat the dead ones, and then die themselves"

Israeli students find pesticide-free way to kill mosquitos - ISRAEL21c: Ben Gurion University biologists have discovered that a bacteria in the gut of the mosquito can be activated to poison the larvae

A Clue About Glue

Posted: 6/7/2019

No pun intended! But the English language offers some funny conjectures … (Here is another one: ingestion sometimes ends in indigestion; but I digress)  

Today, I read this interesting and very promising article: First-ever spider glue genes sequenced, paving way to next biomaterials breakthrough Huge spider glue genes proved exceptionally challenging to sequence, could lead to organic pest control and more (published 6/5/19)

A research paper published by two women! Both researchers have worked at the U.S. Army Research Lab, which also funded the research. Thus, will this research be also weaponized at some point (just kidding)?

Some salient quotes from from article or original research paper abstract (emphasis added):

1. “The innovative method they employed could pave the way for others to sequence more silk and glue genes, which are challenging to sequence because of their length and repetitive structure.”challenging to sequence because of their length and repetitive structure
2. “There are more than 45,000 known species of spiders, each of which makes between one and seven types of silk. ”
3. “An individual orb weaving spider can spin up to seven different types of silk, each with unique functions and material properties.”
4. “... the longest silk gene [previously] sequenced was about 20,000 base pairs … our gene is 42,000 bases long ...”
5. “Most spidroins [spider fibroins] are encoded by extremely large, highly repetitive genes that cannot be sequenced using short read technology alone, as the repetitive regions are longer than read length”

Nice, the full research paper is available as a PDF file from the publisher here! Here is the link to the paper by publisher.

Bee Colony Collapse - Parasites Not Pesticides

Trigger

Just read “Bloodsucking mite threatens UK honeybees”. This new research seems to provide further evidence that a virus carrying mite is perhaps behind the large scale bee colony collapse observed in Europe and North America over the past 10 years or so.

The Usual Suspects

As if on cue, the European Union, which proudly touts the Precautionary Principle (see e.g. my blog post), quickly imposed a two-year ban on certain pesticides. ““I pledge to my utmost to ensure that our bees, which are so vital to our ecosystem and contribute over 22 billion Euros [$29 billion] annually to European agriculture, are protected,” said European Union Health Commissioner Tonio Borg.” (source).

Similar reaction came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the EPA.