Scientists develop 'artificial female moth'
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 - 06:00
in Biology & Nature
Nikolay Dimov of the MESA+ research institute at the University of Twente has developed a new device for investigating the behaviour of insects. The device was inspired by the female moth, which attracts males using chemicals known as pheromones. The device – which is in effect a miniature laboratory – is able to reproduce these pheromones and release them into the air. In a wind tunnel, this piece of technology proved just as irresistible to male moths as a virgin female moth. Dimov will defend his PhD thesis on this subject on Friday 27 April at the Faculty of Science and Technology.