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Universal "Death Stench" Repels Bugs of All Types
Hugh Pickens writes "Wired reports that scientists have discovered that insects from cockroaches to caterpillars all emit the same stinky blend of fatty acids when they die and that the death mix may represent a universal, ancient warning signal to avoid their dead or injured. 'Recognizing and avoiding the dead could reduce the chances of catching the disease,' says Biologist David Rollo of McMaster University 'or allow you to get away with just enough exposure to activate your immunity.' Researchers isolated unsaturated fatty acids containing oleic and linoleic acids from the corpses of dead cockroaches and found that their concoction repelled not just cockroaches, but ants and caterpillars. 'It was amazing to find that the cockroaches avoided places treated with these extracts like the plague,' says Rollo. Even crustaceans like woodlice and pillbugs, which diverged from insects 400 million years ago, were repelled leading scientists to think the death mix represents a universal warning signal. Scientists hope the right concoction of death smells might protect crops. Thankfully, human noses can't detect the fatty acid extracts. 'I've tried smelling papers treated with them and don't smell anything strong and certainly not repellent,' writes Rollo in an e-mail. 'Not like the rotting of corpses that occurs later and is detectable from great distances.'"
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So the solution to live cockroaches on my floor is dead cockroaches?
As someone living in a gentrifying neighborhood, any chance this works on hipsters?... (some ground up Converse All-Stars and stovepipe jeans?)
Joe? Are you alright? Joe? JOE?
new flies are examining the dead fly carcasses
And not the pizza's?
Quite interesting.
Bob the squirrel saw his cousin Sammy go in there. He saw what happened to Sammy. Bob does not want to end up like Sammy.
As an added reminder, essence of Sammy remains in the trap. Sammy juice. Yuck.
Doesn't work for me either! My car's windshield and hood are plastered with dead insects. You would think that would warn other insects to stay away but no, after every road trip, there are just MORE bugs splattered on my car. I call BS.
Is this why there's an article today that RAID's days may be numbered?
it's Steve, you insensitive clod!
weinersmith
A friend of mine would kill one roach, and stick it on a toothpick (or a "pike" as he called it) and stood it up on a bottle-cork at the entrance to a hole -- as an "example to the others!" He swore it worked.
I just thought he was crazy. Apparently he was on to something.
Dear Sir,
We are writing to you in relation to views and opinions that you articulated in Slashdot post #29465417 on 18th September last. Saids view on the mechanics of evolution were found by the committee to be grossly nescient and incorrect, and moreover demonstrating of a grievously lack of creative and logical thinking on your part. In the words of one committee member, and I quote: "WTF?!".
Following arbitration on the matter, the committee deeply regrets to inform you that your Geek Credentials and subsequent privileges have been placed in probation pending a completed review by yourself on the basics of the theory of evolution and its predictions. We regret to inform you that until such time as this review has been filed your access to association slide rules and soldering kits will be suspended and you will be restricted to playing only those table top games which restrict themselves to six sided dice. Moreover, while you may still retain them, use of association anti-wedgie underwear is also prohibited during this time.
Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the latest popular science volume The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution by Richard Dawkins. It is hoped that your review can be swiftly completed by a enlightening study of this book and its replete examples. I await your reply and subsequent readmission to full membership with hopeful anticipation.
Yours sincerely
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Chairman
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International Geek and Nerd Association
P.S. We mean it about the underwear.
May the Maths Be with you!
Isn't it cute to note that so many /. geeks are now also apparently insect experts
Well, that convinces me. The anecdote that you're not quite sure you've recalled correctly sure outweighs this report from scientists. Kudos!
Damn hippies.
A few decades ago, Edward O. Wilson proved that ants mark their trails with scent by removing their organs individually and smearing them around.
Damn, those are some masochistic ants.
When information is power, privacy is freedom.