Universal "Death Stench" Repels Bugs of All Types 248
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.'"
if you build it (Score:3, Funny)
-Mister cockroach.
The only good bug is a dead bug. (Score:5, Funny)
Join the Mobile Infantry and save the Galaxy. Service guarantees citizenship. Would you like to know more?
Great... (Score:5, Funny)
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?)
Re:This is nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
Joe? Are you alright? Joe? JOE?
Slashdotters stench (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Great... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:This is nonsense (Score:4, Funny)
And not the pizza's?
Quite interesting.
Re:Smelling death (Score:4, Funny)
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.
Re:Great... (Score:2, Funny)
I believe you would actually have to grind up the hipster.
Re:This is nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
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.
Re:Crops (Score:2, Funny)
RAID's days may be numbered (Score:5, Funny)
Re:This is nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Bring out your dead ! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:This is nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
I just thought he was crazy. Apparently he was on to something.
Re:This is nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
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
Dexter Cuthbert
Chairman
Membership Review Committee
International Geek and Nerd Association
P.S. We mean it about the underwear.
Re:Prolly not going to work. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Great... (Score:3, Funny)
I find your ideas fascinating, and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Geeks are insect experts (Score:5, Funny)
Trouble with crustaceans (Score:2, Funny)
Great, finally there's a way to get these damn lobsters off my crops!
Re:Bring out your dead ! (Score:3, Funny)
Well, that convinces me. The anecdote that you're not quite sure you've recalled correctly sure outweighs this report from scientists. Kudos!
Re:Slashdotters stench (Score:3, Funny)
Rotting pizza and the smell of coding for 36 hours in a hot room without a bath, maybe?
Re:This is nonsense (Score:3, Funny)
Did you take your Cheerios with extra piss this morning?
I found his comment pretty entertaining. Just wish I'd read it before moving out of my old apartment.
Re:The only good bug is a dead bug. (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Sharks, too (Score:3, Funny)
Anything good on the winelist ?
Across species? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Is this new? (Score:2, Funny)
[...] And until the stinky ant cleaned itself off enough, they would keep putting it back every time it left the pile.
That's awesome. I can use ants to keep any insect a prisoner?
Muhahahaha! Mosquitoes, the day of reckoning has come!!
Re:Is this new? (Score:2, Funny)
...they discovered the "dead ant" smell that would signal the colony that "this one is dead, go put it on the pile." When they put the scent on a live ant, the other ants would carry it off to the pile, ignoring the fact that it was squirming the whole way there...
Later made into a major motion picture [imdb.com].
Re:This is nonsense (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Is this new? (Score:4, Funny)
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.
Re:Less nonsense (Score:2, Funny)
> Get rid of kids and pets for a couple days
At first I thought you were talking about another useful side-effect of the boric acid.
Re:Prolly not going to work. (Score:1, Funny)
She has an ear infection too, heard that rumor floatin' around earlier.
Re:This is nonsense (Score:1, Funny)
It's OK, as long as you're traveling faster than your wind.
Re:Bring out your dead ! (Score:2, Funny)