Bed bugs may be the first human pest

Bed bugs are most likely the first human pest, new research on the genome sequence of two distinct lineages shows.

Felicia Spencer-Virginia Tech • futurity
June 11, 2025 ~6 min

Listen: Everything you should know about fireflies

From voracious venomous larvae to gently glowing grownups, an expert walks you through the unique characteristics of a favorite summer bug.

NC State • futurity
June 10, 2025 ~2 min


It’s miller moth season in Colorado – an entomologist explains why they’re important and where they’re headed

Miller moths migrate through the state every summer and are sometimes considered to be a pest.

Ryan St Laurent, Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
June 3, 2025 ~8 min

Rise of the Zombie Bugs takes readers on a jaw-dropping tour of the parasite world

Parasites do creatively gruesome things to their host.

Alex Dittrich, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
May 29, 2025 ~6 min

From furry friends to fish, turning up the heat helps animals fight germs − how Mother Nature’s cure offers humans a lesson on fever

Fever isn’t necessarily a bad thing − it’s actually a useful response to infections.

Harry Bernheim, Associate Professor Emeritus of Biology, Tufts University • conversation
May 23, 2025 ~7 min

Billions of cicadas are emerging, from Cape Cod to north Georgia – here’s how and why we map them

Two ecologists explain why a misleading map is worse than no map at all, and how they have worked for years to track the emergences of 13-year and 17-year cicadas.

John Cooley, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut • conversation
May 22, 2025 ~9 min

Insect protein could support healthy ageing and fight climate change

Insects are packed with high-quality protein, as well as good fats, vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc.

Catherine Norton, Associate Professor Sport & Exercise Nutrition, University of Limerick • conversation
May 16, 2025 ~5 min

Insect trafficking poses a risk to wildlife and human health

Wildlife trafficking extends to areas like ant smuggling and illegal trade

Angus Nurse, Professor of Law and Environmental Justice, Anglia Ruskin University • conversation
May 9, 2025 ~7 min


Humans are killing helpful insects in hundreds of ways − simple steps can reduce the harm

Insects are often under pressure from several threats at once, from pesticides to habitat loss to pollution.

Eliza Grames, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
May 8, 2025 ~8 min

How dandelions conquered concrete to bring nature back to cities

Here’s why those little yellow flowers are everywhere you look.

Yannick Woudstra, Postdoctoral Researcher in Asexual Plant Evolution, Stockholm University • conversation
April 30, 2025 ~7 min

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