Science

A Purdue researcher says Asian carp are going where experts thought the fish would not. Specifically, Forestry and Natural Resources Assistant Professor Reuben Goforth says the species are showing greater flexibility in the location and conditions under which they can spawn.

He says what’s not known is if they already have the ability to adapt, or if the fish is evolving in U.S. waters.

“In terms of their evolution, it’s certainly not unheard of for a species to be able to undergo in some level of microevolution to become adapted to new environments relatively quickly.”

A mock election is underway to determine Indiana’s new state animal.

The Indiana Historical Bureau is sponsoring the unofficial contest in hopes to increase awareness of the state’s natural heritage. The primary election ends Monday and features critters from three different time periods: prehistoric, pioneer, and modern.

History Education Specialist Jill Weiss says one candidate has jumped out to an early lead.

Homeowners in Tippecanoe and surrounding counties who want to protect their ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) have to act quickly. That’s according to Purdue’s Department of Entomology.

This insect has already killed many ash trees in Delphi was found to be responsible for the death of several ash trees in Lafayette last year. 

Researchers believe they are closing in on what is causing the decline in the number of honeybees.

A new study by French scientists points to a pesticide called neonicotinoid (NEE-oh-NIK-uh-tin-oyd).

Purdue Entomologist Christian Krupke says there seems to be more of a direct link between chemical use and Colony Collapse Disorder. He says specifically, this nicotine-based class of pesticides. The French researchers gave a non-lethal dose to honeybees they studied, which led to behavioral changes.