Body shape and behavioural specializations found across the castes of ant species evolved together and reflect different abilities for ground behaviors.

Pair-rule genes in the wasp Nasonia function as in Drosophila in patterning anterior segments, and similar to ancestral insects in patterning posterior segments, illustrating a mixed-mode transition state between short and long germ embryogenesis.

Insect specific olfactory receptors are not an adaptation to a terrestrial insect lifestyle, but evolved later in insect evolution.

The enzyme that allows some mites and insects to detoxify the hydrogen cyanide produced by plants has been identified.

CenH3, the defining component of centromeres in almost all eukaryotes, was independently lost in four insect lineages that transitioned from monocentricity to holocentricity.

Extensive genetic diversity and novel genome structures in RNA viruses from arthropods shed important new light on the ancestry and evolutionary history of major classes of vertebrate and plant viruses.

During the evolution of insect lineages, a signaling pathway dedicated to pathogen defense was co-opted for a new role in embryonic patterning.

A mathematical model predicts the precise conditions for natural selection to favor the evolution of non-reproductive workers in insect colonies with haplodiploid genetics.