Tiny cacao flowers and fickle midges are part of a pollination puzzle that limits chocolate production

Entomologists wonder if the insects currently pollinating farmed cacao are the right ones for the task.

DeWayne Shoemaker, Professor and Department Head, Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee • conversation
Feb. 10, 2021 • ~6 min

Invasive tawny crazy ants have an intense craving for calcium – with implications for their spread in the US

The spread of tawny crazy ants may be driven, in part, by their need for calcium.

Ryan Reihart, Teaching Assistant and Ph.D. Candidate of Ecology, University of Dayton • conversation
Jan. 21, 2021 • ~5 min

Bloodthirsty tsetse flies nurse their young, one live birth at a time – understanding this unusual strategy could help fight the disease they spread

This insect's unique reproductive biology could lead to new ways to control the species in the environment – and prevent the deadly sleeping sickness it spreads to people.

Geoff Attardo, Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis • conversation
July 29, 2020 • ~7 min

An argument for gene drive technology to genetically control populations of insects like mosquitoes and locusts

Gene drive guarantees that a trait will be passed to the next generation. But should society use this tool to control insect populations?

Brian Lovett, Postdoctoral Researcher in Mycology, West Virginia University • conversation
July 14, 2020 • ~10 min

An argument for gene drive technology to genetically control insects like mosquitoes and locusts

Gene drive guarantees that a trait will be passed to the next generation. But should society use this tool to control insect populations?

Brian Lovett, Postdoctoral Researcher in Mycology, West Virginia University • conversation
July 14, 2020 • ~10 min

What are Asian giant hornets, and are they really dangerous? 5 questions answered

Are 'murder hornets' from Asia invading North America? A Japanese entomologist who's been stung by one and lived to tell the tale explains what's true about these predatory insects.

Akito Y Kawahara, Associate Professor and Curator of Insects, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida • conversation
May 11, 2020 • ~9 min

Insects: worldwide study reveals widespread decline since 1925

The largest study of insect declines to date gives us the best indication of how species all over the world are faring.

Stuart Reynolds, Emeritus Professor of Biology, University of Bath • conversation
April 23, 2020 • ~7 min

Insects: worldwide study reveals general decline since 1925

The largest study of insect declines to date gives us the best indication of how species all over the world are faring.

Stuart Reynolds, Emeritus Professor of Biology, University of Bath • conversation
April 23, 2020 • ~7 min

Malnourished bugs: Higher CO2 levels make plants less nutritious, hurting insect populations

Insect populations are falling as what they eat becomes more like iceberg lettuce and less like kale.

Ellen Welti, Postdoctoral Researcher of Biology, University of Oklahoma • conversation
March 9, 2020 • ~5 min

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