In defence of woodlice and their complicated sex lives

Woodlice are everywhere but people don’t like them much. Here’s why they should be more popular.

Stuart Reynolds, Emeritus Professor of Biology, University of Bath • conversation
Dec. 8, 2022 ~7 min

Mosquitoes are not repelled by vitamins and other oral supplements you might take

A medical myth persists that the B vitamin thiamine is a systemic insect repellent that wards off mosquitoes when taken orally. But scientists have disproven this mistaken belief again and again.

Matan Shelomi, Associate Professor of Entomology, National Taiwan University • conversation
Dec. 7, 2022 ~8 min


Ant pupae ‘milk’ keeps entire colony healthy

Ant pupae secrete a never-before observed milk-like fluid that adults and larvae drink to keep the entire colony healthy.

Rockefeller University • futurity
Nov. 30, 2022 ~7 min

Common vet drugs kill bed bugs on chicken farms

Two drugs veterinarians use to fight parasites on pets may be effective way to control bed bugs on chicken farms, a new study shows.

Mick Kulikowski-NC State • futurity
Nov. 29, 2022 ~5 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.

Scott Solomon, Associate Teaching Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Rice University • conversation
Nov. 15, 2022 ~9 min

Flies can smell the motion of odors

The finding that flies can smell motion could influence public health, agriculture, and even the development of robots, say researchers.

Bill Hathaway-Yale • futurity
Nov. 10, 2022 ~4 min

Termite kings and queens are awesome parents, and then retire

Queen and king termites are fantastic parents to upstart colonies. But only until their offspring can take over.

Lourdes Mederos-U. Florida • futurity
Nov. 9, 2022 ~5 min

Dung beetle mothers protect their offspring from a warming world by digging deeper

Everyone is feeling the heat these days – even species that develop underground.

Kimberly S. Sheldon, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee • conversation
Nov. 9, 2022 ~9 min


Math clarifies how some fireflies twinkle in sync

The same math that explains the synchronization of pendulum clocks and clapping audiences also clarifies how fireflies coordinate light shows.

U. Pittsburgh • futurity
Nov. 2, 2022 ~5 min

Bees face many challenges – and climate change is ratcheting up the pressure

Honey bees, wild and native bees face threats from parasites, pesticides and habitat loss. Shorter winters, more extreme weather and more habitat destruction won’t help.

Jennie L. Durant, Research Affiliate in Human Ecology, University of California, Davis • conversation
Oct. 13, 2022 ~10 min

/

36