Insects

If it has six legs and looks semi-alien, it probably plays a crucial role on our planet. The latest on insects, and the entomologists trying to shed light on their importance and uniqueness.

Latest in Insects

A Syntretus perlmani wasp larva bursts from a fruit fly’s abdomen.

Environment

Gnarly wasp gruesomely rips apart fruit flies from the inside out with its larvae Gnarly wasp gruesomely rips apart fruit flies from the inside out with its larvae

By Laura Baisas

Lasius emarginatus

Science

This immigrant ant is taking New York City by storm This immigrant ant is taking New York City by storm

By Popular Science Team

Timelapse image of springtail jumping backwards

Environment

Watch the world’s fastest backflipping bug Watch the world’s fastest backflipping bug

a huge swarm of thousands of mosquitoes

Environment

Mosquitoes can barely see–but a male’s vision perks up when they hear a female Mosquitoes can barely see–but a male’s vision perks up when they hear a female

By Laura Baisas

a mosquito biting human skin

Health

After EEE death in New Hampshire, here’s what to know about the mosquito-borne virus After EEE death in New Hampshire, here’s what to know about the mosquito-borne virus

By Laura Baisas

a moth with a yellow body, pink legs, and pink and yellow wings sits on a green leaf

Environment

The ‘disco’ gene could help moths tell time The ‘disco’ gene could help moths tell time

By Laura Baisas

Valley carpenter bee.

Environment

Our pest control is killing the bees Our pest control is killing the bees

an infrared image of a human head, showing warm areas in shades of orange and yellow, and cooler areas in blue and green

Environment

Mosquitoes can sense our body heat Mosquitoes can sense our body heat

By Laura Baisas

an insect lays on its back with its abdomen and legs in the air. it is playing dead to trick predators

Environment

Antlion larvae can ‘play dead’ for more than an hour–then, things get random Antlion larvae can ‘play dead’ for more than an hour–then, things get random

By Laura Baisas

a spider traps a glowing firefly in its web

Environment

Spiders may be hacking firefly signals to trap dinner Spiders may be hacking firefly signals to trap dinner

By Laura Baisas

Health

West Nile Virus cases are on the rise again: How to protect yourself West Nile Virus cases are on the rise again: How to protect yourself

By Lauren Leffer

a group of earthworms in rich, dark soil

Environment

Hear the ‘rave’-like sounds of a healthy soil Hear the ‘rave’-like sounds of a healthy soil

By Laura Baisas

Environment

Roach sprays don’t work Roach sprays don’t work

By Lauren Leffer

Chrysalis attached to tree branch with silk

Animals

Butterflies anchor cocoons with silk Velcro and seat-belts Butterflies anchor cocoons with silk Velcro and seat-belts

bee on dandelion

Environment

Air pollution makes it harder for bees to smell flowers Air pollution makes it harder for bees to smell flowers

By Katarina Zimmer / Knowable Magazine

a fruit fly intestine. it is a long and narrow coiled tube with green coloration from dye

Animals

Swapping genes can help fruit flies regenerate cells Swapping genes can help fruit flies regenerate cells

By Laura Baisas

Wound care and amputation in a Camponotus maculatus ant.

Science

Ants perform teeny tiny operations to save their injured comrades Ants perform teeny tiny operations to save their injured comrades

By Popular Science Team

an orange, black, and white monarch butterfly on a pink milkweed flower

Animals

How everyone can help monarch butterflies How everyone can help monarch butterflies

By Laura Baisas

a firefly with its bottom half illuminated

Environment

A new theory on why fireflies glow—and why they need help A new theory on why fireflies glow—and why they need help

By Laura Baisas

a peacock butterfly on a pink plant. its wings are primarily red, with black, yellow, and blue circles

Animals

Butterflies and moths suck up pollen with static electricity Butterflies and moths suck up pollen with static electricity

By Laura Baisas