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

Rusty-patched Bumblebee gathering nectar from a yellow flower

Environment

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

Environment

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

Environment

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.

Technology

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

Environment

Stressed bees are pessimistic pollinators Stressed bees are pessimistic pollinators

Leaf cutter ants

Environment

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.

Environment

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.

Environment

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.

Science

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

By Bob Holmes / Knowable Magazine

Monarch butterfly feeding on purple aster flower in summer floral background.

DIY

How to plant a garden butterflies will love How to plant a garden butterflies will love

By Debbie Wolfe

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