{
  "id": 994337,
  "title": "A multi-omics view of wax synthesis in the wild cochineal bug, Dactylopius opuntiae",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/a-multi-omics-view-of-wax-synthesis-in-the-wild-cochineal-bug",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-15T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.13.744733v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "This study establishes a comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic foundation for the wild cochineal bug, Dactylopius opuntiae, a scale insect and agricultural pest of prickly pear cacti notable for its dense white waxy covering. Although fatty acyl reductases (FARs) are central to insect epicuticular wax biosynthesis, the genes underlying wax production in cochineal insects are…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}