Every year, the Journal of Comparative Physiology A honors the best articles in two categories: Original Research and Review/Review-History. The winners are picked by the Editorial Board and the readers who access the articles online. The 2025 awards have been announced, and they spotlight some fascinating studies on insects.
In the Original Research category, the Editors' Choice went to a study on bush-crickets. These insects are known for their unique sound processing abilities. The research, by Timothy Bayley and Berthold Hedwig, delved into the calcium dynamics and sound processing in the auditory interneurons of the bush-cricket species Mecopoda elongata. This study is a deep dive into how these insects interpret the sounds around them.
The Review/Review-History category saw a win for a paper on mechanoecology. This is the study of how insects interact with plants on a mechanical level. The winning article, by Gianandrea Salerno, Manuela Rebora, Elena Gorb, and Stanislav Gorb, explores the biomechanical aspects of these interactions. It's a look into the physical world of insects and how they navigate their plant environments.
Readers had their own favorites too. In the Original Research category, the top spot went to a study on beetle claws. Gianandrea Salerno, Manuela Rebora, Silvana Piersanti, Valerio Saitta, Elena Gorb, and Stanislav Gorb investigated how beetle claws interlock with plant trichomes. This research sheds light on the intricate ways insects grip and move on plants.
The Review/Review-History category saw a repeat winner. Theresa J. Steele, Aaron J. Lanz, and Katherine I. Nagel's paper on olfactory navigation in arthropods won both the 2024 Editors' Choice and the 2025 Readers' Choice Awards. This study looks at how insects use their sense of smell to find their way around. It's a fascinating glimpse into the sensory world of arthropods.
These awards highlight the diverse and intriguing world of insect research. From sound processing to plant interactions, these studies offer a glimpse into the complex lives of these tiny creatures. They also show the importance of both experimental research and comprehensive reviews in advancing our understanding of the natural world.
Insects are often overlooked, but they play a crucial role in many ecosystems. Studies like these help us understand their behaviors and adaptations better. This knowledge can have broader implications for fields like agriculture, conservation, and even robotics. After all, insects have been perfecting their designs for millions of years.
