Insect apocalypse? Not so fast, at least in North America

Recent reports of dramatic declines in insect populations have sparked concern about an 'insect apocalypse.' But a new analysis of data from sites across North America suggests the case isn't proven.

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biodiversity insects science extinction ecology research biodiversity-loss publication-bias scholarship

Bugs, mice, and people may share one ‘brain ancestor’

New evidence suggests that the way brains work across the animal kingdom goes back to a common source, researchers report.

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evolution mammals insects genes brains science-and-technology neurodevelopment

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.

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reproduction insects molecular-biology entomology tsetse-fly tsetse-flies milk larvae sleeping-sickness trypanosomiasis lactation african-sleeping-sickness viviparous symbiont

Old-school efforts thwart ‘billion-dollar beetles’

Some fundamental farming strategies can limit damage from western corn rootworms, research finds.

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insects agriculture genetic-engineering science-and-technology

Beetle-mounted camera streams insect adventures

Researchers have developed a tiny lightweight video camera that can be carried by a beetle.

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robotics insects

Get a bug’s eye view from a tiny ‘beetle backpack’ camera

"We have created a low-power, low-weight, wireless camera system that can capture a first-person view of what's happening from an actual live insect..."

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insects robots vision cameras featured science-and-technology wearable-devices

Why allotments offer urban oases for bees and butterflies

Urban green spaces can be a rich habitat for diverse pollinators, if they're managed properly.

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insects bees bumblebees pollination urban-wildlife honeybees urban-biodiversity

Bedbugs alter your home’s microbiome

"There is a link between the microbiome of bedbugs and the microbiome of household dust in bedbug infested homes."

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bacteria insects sleep microbiomes housing health-and-medicine