The parasitoid wasp Ampulex compressa injects venom into the brain of the American cockroach, targeting the central complex, a sensory-motor region. The venom induces grooming, followed by long-lasting hypokinesia. While grooming is attributed to dopamine in the venom, the mechanisms underlying hypokinesia remain unclear. Given the role of dopamine in modulating arousal and locomotion in insects, and our finding of long-term impairment in venom-induced grooming behavior, we hypothesized that mechanisms behind long-term grooming impairments may provide insight into the mechanisms driving hypokinesia. We analyzed the recovery profile of venom-induced grooming in stung cockroaches and investigated dopamine receptor involvement through D1-like receptor agonist injections into the central complex. Our results reveal a deficient grooming response to a second sting one month after the first, and that this change is not caused by a lasting impairment of D1 receptor signaling but rather a complex interaction between venom components and the recovered brain.
Behavioral recovery profiling of cockroaches stung by the venomous wasp Ampulex compressa
Open Access
Harnessing physiological research for smarter environmental policy
In their Perspective, Alexia Dubuc and colleagues discuss strategies to strengthen collaboration, communication and engagement between physiological researchers and environmental policy makers to ensure that conservation strategies address the threats posed by climate change.
JEB grants to support junior faculty
Learn about the grants that we launched in 2023 to support junior faculty from two of our awardees: Erin Leonard, Early-Career Researcher (ECR) Visiting Fellowship recipient, and Pauline Fleischmann, Research Partnership Kickstart Travel Grant recipient. The next deadline to apply is 28 November 2025.
Early testing could make risky falls a thing of the past for elderly people
Falls cost healthcare systems billions each year, but there may be a solution. Jiaen Wu and colleagues of Stanford University, USA, suggest that measuring the way someone walks before they get old might let doctors know who is at risk for a potentially life-threatening fall in the future.
Meet the JEB team at SEB in Antwerp
JEB is proud to be sponsoring the annual meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology, taking place on 8-11 July in Antwerp, Belgium. Come and introduce yourself at our exhibition stands, at booths 3 and 4 throughout the meeting. Editors Craig Franklin, Katie Gilmour and Sanjay Sane, and Features and Reviews Editor Jarren Kay will be also available for questions at our ‘Meet the Editors’ session from 13:00 – 14:00 in Marble Hall on 8 July, where you can find out about the journal and pick up our exclusive 2025 T-shirt.
Fast & Fair peer review
Our sister journal Biology Open has recently launched the next phase of their Fast & Fair peer review initiative: offering high-quality peer review within 7 working days. To learn more about BiO’s progress and future plans, read the Editorial by Daniel Gorelick, or visit the Fast & Fair peer review page.
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