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 beige and brown moth on a stone

Migrating moths can read the stars Migrating moths can read the stars

By Lauren Leffer

Fuzzy beetle on red flower

Most bugs can’t see red—but these beetles can Most bugs can’t see red—but these beetles can

Cedar Creek in Congaree National Park, South Carolina, showing old growth bottomland hardwood forest.

This National Park uses a ‘Skeeter Meter’ to inform visitors about mosquitoes This National Park uses a ‘Skeeter Meter’ to inform visitors about mosquitoes

By Laura Baisas

A female Anopheles mosquito is sitting on a green vine of the forest a

Scientists engineer mosquito STD to combat malaria Scientists engineer mosquito STD to combat malaria

By Laura Baisas

Close up of fruit fly head on orange background

Researchers genetically altered fruit flies to crave cocaine Researchers genetically altered fruit flies to crave cocaine

a close up of a bed bug

Bed bugs have been bothering humans for 60,000 years Bed bugs have been bothering humans for 60,000 years

By Laura Baisas

a pink and yellow flower with delicate petals

Plants can hear tiny wing flaps of pollinators Plants can hear tiny wing flaps of pollinators

By Laura Baisas

The recent discovery helps bridge the gap between ancient cicadas and their present day descendants.

Earliest ‘true cicada’ fossil discovered in Germany Earliest ‘true cicada’ fossil discovered in Germany

a mosquito under a microscope

What would a world without mosquitoes look like? What would a world without mosquitoes look like?

By RJ Mackenzie

Bone collector cases are carefully constructed from silk and exoskeleton parts.

‘Bone collector’ caterpillar wears the body parts of dead bugs ‘Bone collector’ caterpillar wears the body parts of dead bugs

By Lauren Leffer

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