Fruit flies’ courtship song may hold key to controlling mosquitoes
How fruit flies mate may hold a key to limiting the spread of diseases by mosquitoes. In a new study, University of Iowa researchers found a gene that orchestrates the…
Thirsty Plants’ Silent Cries May Deter Moths from Laying Eggs
For female moths, finding the perfect plant to host their young may be as straightforward as listening closely. When plants are low on water, they emit high-pitched clicking sounds inaudible…
Fly vs. wasp: Stealing a defense move helps thwart a predator
Fruit Flies Borrow Bacterial Genes to Outwit Parasitic Wasps In a remarkable display of genetic ingenuity, several species of fruit flies have acquired a bacterial gene to defend against parasitic…
In Search of Tiny Dung Beetles: Guardians of the Forest Floor
On a warm November morning, biologist Erin McCullough navigates the Hadwen Arboretum in Worcester, Massachusetts, searching for tiny creatures that reveal the health of their environment: dung beetles. Among the…
Man Stunned by a Brilliant Ant That Outsmarts Him in a Clever Encounter
“It shows we have a lot to learn.” Despite an ant’s brain being no larger than a tiny grain of sand, it can still accomplish remarkable feats. One particular ant…
‘My jaw just dropped’: 500 million-year-old larva fossil found with brain preserved
The newly discovered Youti yuanshi larva fossil is so well-preserved that it provides a road map for arthropod evolution during the Cambrian period. Researchers have unveiled key insights into the…
Bumblebees Share Knowledge, Hinting at Personal Hive Mind
A recent paper published in Nature suggests that bumblebees can teach each other new behaviors, indicating that humans and bees share knowledge in a similar way. In the study, bees…
Mystery of Moths and Lights: Science’s Answer?
Under the cloak of night, intricate insect flight paths were captured using cutting-edge high-resolution and infrared technology, revealing astonishing revelations. From ancient texts like the Bhagavad Gita to timeless plays…
Bugging Out: Trillion Cicadas Set for Rare Dual Emergence After 221 Years
Prepare for a natural spectacle as Brood 13 and Brood 19, two cicada broods with distinct emergence cycles, converge in a synchronized event not witnessed since 1803. This awe-inspiring display…
Rare Species to Grace California Coast with $1.5M Grant
Embark on a journey with the Mendocino Land Trust (MLT) and witness the spectacular return of Behren’s silverspot butterfly to the Northern California coastline! Fueled by a generous $1.5 million…