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

Venus fly trap wasp encased in amber

This ancient ‘Venus fly-trap’ wasp used its butt to kill This ancient ‘Venus fly-trap’ wasp used its butt to kill

an illustration of two cockroaches

Why cockroaches are so resilient Why cockroaches are so resilient

By RJ Mackenzie

a large hornet dismembers a honey bee

1,400 different bug species found in the guts of Asian hornets 1,400 different bug species found in the guts of Asian hornets

By Laura Baisas

An argentine ant is farming aphids on a young leaf.

Vicious invasive ants form gigantic supercolonies Vicious invasive ants form gigantic supercolonies

Genetically modified zebrafish and fruit flies munch on mercury to make it less toxic Genetically modified zebrafish and fruit flies munch on mercury to make it less toxic

By Mack DeGeurin

A blow fly larva disguised as a termite, antennae and all.

Rare fly species wears fake termite head to infiltrate nests Rare fly species wears fake termite head to infiltrate nests

By Laura Baisas

Seized Japanese beetles in containers

Smugglers try to disguise giant beetles as Japanese snacks, unsuccessfully Smugglers try to disguise giant beetles as Japanese snacks, unsuccessfully

Bee with QR sticker held in researcher's hand

Researchers glued teeny-tiny QR codes to 30,000 bees Researchers glued teeny-tiny QR codes to 30,000 bees

The great green bush-cricket.

Parasitic crickets have a few moves to outsmart ants Parasitic crickets have a few moves to outsmart ants

By Laura Baisas

Three red ants interacting with one another

Even ants may hold grudges Even ants may hold grudges

a brown dog ups up onto a tree and sniffs it, while its human handler points to what it is sniffing

Sniffing dogs join the fight against invasive spotted lanternflies Sniffing dogs join the fight against invasive spotted lanternflies

By Laura Baisas

Rusty-patched Bumblebee gathering nectar from a yellow flower

Rare bees kill Meta’s nuclear-powered AI data center plans Rare bees kill Meta’s nuclear-powered AI data center plans

two stalk-eyed flies fight on a stick. these flies have long antennae with eyeballs on the tips

Flies with shorter eye-stalks act aggressively because females are less attracted to them Flies with shorter eye-stalks act aggressively because females are less attracted to them

By Laura Baisas

several orange and black monarch butterflies dot large green leaves

Scientists build rest stops for monarch butterflies on a volcano Scientists build rest stops for monarch butterflies on a volcano

By Laura Baisas

Dragonfly wing on black background in neon light. Close-up.

To build a better dome, look to dragonfly wings To build a better dome, look to dragonfly wings

close up of bumblebee against blue background

Stressed bees are pessimistic pollinators Stressed bees are pessimistic pollinators

Leaf cutter ants

The dinosaur-killing asteroid turned ants into farmers The dinosaur-killing asteroid turned ants into farmers

3D rendering of all ~140k neurons in the fruit fly brain.

Scientists mapped every neuron of an adult animal’s brain for the first time Scientists mapped every neuron of an adult animal’s brain for the first time

People who work around dry, dusty conditions are at a higher risk of contracting valley fever.

Epidemiologists explain how to protect yourself from valley fever Epidemiologists explain how to protect yourself from valley fever

By Jennifer Head, et al / The Conversation

Hummingbirds draw the eye with their bright colors and busy, hovering flight. Biologists are drawn to understand the suite of adaptations they have evolved to survive extreme lifestyles.

Hummingbirds thrive on an extreme lifestyle. Here’s how. Hummingbirds thrive on an extreme lifestyle. Here’s how.

By Bob Holmes / Knowable Magazine