Billions of cicadas are about to emerge from underground in a rare double-brood convergence
The last time that these two groups of cicadas emerged from underground together, Thomas Jefferson was president.
April 18, 2024 • ~11 min
Female mosquitoes rely on one another to choose the best breeding sites − and with the arrival of spring, they’re already on the hunt
Female mosquitoes don’t want to lay their eggs alone, but they don’t want sites that are too crowded either. Understanding what guides their choice could inform new control strategies.
March 19, 2024 • ~8 min
The surprising reason why insects circle lights at night: They lose track of the sky
A new study shows how artificial light at night scrambles insects’ normal flight patterns, pulling them off course into orbit around the light.
Jan. 30, 2024 • ~9 min
How do flies find every stinky garbage dumpster? A biologist explains their sensory superpower
Flies often beat out competitors for food because of their specialized sensing organs called antennae.
Sept. 4, 2023 • ~6 min
Biting flies are attracted to blue traps – we used AI to work out why
New research on what attracts blood-feasting flies to blue objects could help minimise the impacts of those insects on people and animals.
July 4, 2023 • ~6 min
Bees can learn, remember, think and make decisions – here's a look at how they navigate the world
Scientists are learning amazing things about bees’ sensory perception and mental capabilities.
May 17, 2023 • ~9 min
How do you vaccinate a honeybee? 6 questions answered about a new tool for protecting pollinators
A vaccine for bees may evoke images of teeny hypodermic needles, but this product works in a sophisticated way that reflects the social structure of honeybee colonies.
Jan. 20, 2023 • ~7 min
Ants – with their wise farming practices and efficient navigation techniques – could inspire solutions for some human problems
Over hundreds of million years of evolution, ants have come up with some pretty smart solutions to problems of agriculture, navigation and architecture. People could learn a thing or two.
Nov. 15, 2022 • ~9 min
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