Scientists Discover Tiny Spiders Who Build Big ‘Decoys’ For This Clever Reason
Did it fool you? If you glanced at the image below for just a moment, you’d probably assume it showed an ordinary spider resting quietly on its web. But take…
A “scary” new spider species found beneath California’s beaches
Scientists at the University of California, Davis report the discovery of a previously unrecognized trapdoor spider that lives in California’s coastal sand dunes. The species, named Aptostichus ramirezae, is closely…
Scientists unearth a 112-million-year-old time capsule filled with ancient insects
Scientists have uncovered the first South American amber deposits containing preserved insects in a quarry in Ecuador, according to a study published in Communications Earth & Environment. The discovery captures…
To make a tasty yogurt, just add ants (and their microbes)
Across parts of Eurasia, the secret ingredient behind a unique, tangy yogurt isn’t found in a kitchen — it’s found crawling through the forest. Researchers have discovered that red wood…
Insects are disappearing from the last places we thought were safe
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows that insect populations are rapidly declining even in relatively undisturbed landscapes, raising concerns about the health of…
DNA from old ants reveals a hidden insect apocalypse in Fiji
From pollinating flowers to enabling decomposition and supporting nutrient cycles, insects’ abundance and biodiversity are critical for maintaining healthy ecosystems. However, recent studies showing population declines have raised alarm about…
‘Almost like science fiction’: European ant is the first known animal to clone members of another species
A species of ant found scurrying across southern Europe is the first animal found that clones males of another species. In a discovery that rewrites the rules of reproduction, scientists…
Bee Stingers Inspire Superior and Comfortable Continuous Drug Delivery
The animal kingdom continues to inspire groundbreaking technology — this time in South Korea, where researchers have developed a painless drug delivery patch modeled after a bee’s stinger. For patients…
Are there any countries with no mosquitoes?
One country’s unique climate keeps it a mosquito-free zone, but global warming may change that. Iceland: The Only Country in the World Without Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are among the most widespread…
Spiders seen keeping fireflies as glowing prisoners that draw more prey to their webs
The fireflies are kept inside the webs for as long as they glow, before being consumed. Nocturnal spiders have been caught on camera using fireflies as living lures, keeping the…