Federal protection for monarch butterflies could help or harm this iconic species, depending on how it’s carried out

Will protecting monarch butterflies under the Endangered Species Act improve their chance of surviving? Not necessarily, 2 entomologists caution.

Michael Crossley, Assistant Professor / Agricultural Entomologist, University of Delaware • conversation
Dec. 19, 2024 • ~9 min

How tiny hoverflies migrate thousands of miles

New research shows how hoverflies adapt so they can migrate extremely long distances.

Richard J. Massy, Postdoctoral Researcher in Insect Migration, College of Life and Environmental Science, University of Exeter • conversation
Dec. 13, 2024 • ~7 min

Making farming better for bees: can we breed crops that produce more nectar and pollen?

Our research shows this idea is likely to benefit bees more in summer than in spring.

Ciaran Harris, PhD Candidate in Pollinator Ecology, University of Sussex • conversation
Nov. 6, 2024 • ~7 min

Are these tiny insects the world’s most bone-idle bugs?

If you’ve ever struggled with chores while your freeloading siblings looked on, you might relate to these tiny insects.

James Gilbert, Lecturer in Zoology, University of Hull • conversation
Nov. 6, 2024 • ~7 min

Pesticides: farming chemicals make insects sick at non-deadly doses – especially in hot weather

New research highlights the flaws of pesticide regulation.

Dave Goulson, Professor of Biology (Evolution, Behaviour and Environment), University of Sussex • conversation
Oct. 28, 2024 • ~8 min

Could fungi actually cause a zombie apocalypse?

Be very afraid – if you’re an insect.

Matt Kasson, Associate Professor of Mycology and Plant Pathology, West Virginia University • conversation
Oct. 21, 2024 • ~8 min

We tend to keep away from midges and – even when in swarms – they tend to keep away from each other

We’ve all found ourselves trying to avoid the swarms of midges that are so common in late summer. But as you try to avoid them, what you may not know is that they are equally keen to avoid each other…

Alex Dittrich, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Oct. 15, 2024 • ~5 min

Trees’ own beneficial microbiome could lead to discovery of new treatments to fight citrus greening disease

The promising compounda were discovered on an organic farm.

Krishnaswamy Jayachandran, Professor of Agroecology, Florida International University • conversation
Oct. 4, 2024 • ~6 min

Invasive caterpillars can make aspen forests more toxic for native insects – a team of ecologists explains how

Research finds that extensive feeding by invasive insects can cause trees to produce defense compounds, to the detriment of valued native insects.

Patricia C. Fernandez, Professor of Agronomy and CONICET Scientist, Universidad de Buenos Aires • conversation
Sept. 19, 2024 • ~8 min

For many in the UK, 2024 was the year without a butterfly

The Big Butterfly Count reported its worst results in 14 years of monitoring UK species.

Lars B. Pettersson, Associate Professor in Animal Ecology, Lund University • conversation
Sept. 18, 2024 • ~7 min

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