UP researcher discovers two new dung beetle species which don't roll balls or use dung

Posted on November 13, 2024

Over the past two decades, field trips in search of dung beetles have taken University of Pretoria (UP) doctoral student Christian Deschodt across Southern Africa. But it was a well-trodden walk to fetch his kids from school, a mere 1,5km from his home near Hartbeespoort, that saw him stumble...

UP researchers involved in discovery of nine trapdoor spider species

Posted on April 08, 2024

Nine new trapdoor spider species have been discovered in the Great Karoo by researchers at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Zoology and Entomology, and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).

UP part of international study that reveals role of termites in earth’s carbon cycle

Posted on September 28, 2022

The University of Pretoria (UP) recently participated in an international study led by the University of Miami to investigate termite and microbial wood discovery and decay. Termites release carbon from the wood as methane and carbon dioxide, which are two of the most important greenhouse gases...

Beetles use mimicry to fool bees into feeding them

Posted on May 19, 2022

A breakthrough study from the University of Pretoria has found that small hive beetles trapped inside a honeybee nest sneakily entice the very bees that keep them prisoner into providing them with the best of what there is to feed on in the hive – even some of the queen’s portion.

Better prediction of tiny bloodsuckers to protect livestock

Posted on December 20, 2021

Most South Africans love eating meat, but animal diseases regularly threaten a constant, affordable supply.