This common pesticide may be quietly wiping out future bumblebees
Bumblebees may be small, measuring only about an inch long, but they play an enormous role in global agriculture. About one third of the world’s food production relies on pollinators…
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…
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…
Squashing the spotted lanternfly problem may require enlisting other species
A striking but destructive visitor is making its way across the United States. With their red-and-gray wings dotted like a fashion statement gone rogue, these insects drift along sidewalks, climb…
Insects: Facts about the creepy-crawlies that make up more than half of the world’s animal species
Discover interesting facts about insects, the critters whose combined weight on the planet is 70 times that of all humans. The Hidden Lives of Insects: What Science Reveals About These…
First Nationwide Study Reveals America’s Butterflies Are Vanishing at an Alarming Rate
A new study finds the number of butterflies has dropped 22% since 2000, a new study finds America’s Butterflies Are Disappearing at an Alarming Rate, Study Finds WASHINGTON (AP) —…
Animal kingdom’s most powerful puncher generates a ‘phononic shield’ to protect itself
The Secret Behind the Mantis Shrimp’s Devastating Punch Mantis shrimps are known for their lightning-fast, shell-crushing punches, but how do they withstand their own devastating strikes without injury? Scientists have…
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…