How many types of insects are there in the world?

The number of insect species is mind-boggling – and they are a critical part of the environment.

Nicholas Green, Assistant Professor of Biology, Kennesaw State University • conversation
March 24, 2025 ~8 min

Would you trust an ant to amputate your limb? Science is showing they are skilled surgeons

A recent study shows that carpenter ants have evolved amputation skills a cut above the rest of insects.

Christopher Terrell Nield, Principal Lecturer, Bioscience, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Aug. 6, 2024 ~7 min


Ferns and flowers bribe helpful ant defenders with nectar, but ferns developed this ability much later – our study shows why

Ferns have evolved a mutually beneficial relationship with ants, but this happened late in their evolution. A recent study shows that old dogs can learn new tricks.

Jacob S. Suissa, Assistant Professor of Plant Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee • conversation
June 20, 2024 ~6 min

Why invasive ants are a silent threat to our ecosystems

Invasive ants are a major threat to biodiversity, according to a study.

Maximillian Tercel, PhD candidate, Cardiff University • conversation
Sept. 19, 2023 ~6 min

Smell is the crucial sense that holds ant society together, helping the insects recognize, communicate and cooperate with one another

Researchers explore what happens when ants can’t properly use smell to detect friend from foe.

Stephen Ferguson, Postdoctoral Scholar in Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University • conversation
March 13, 2023 ~7 min

Animal architecture: why we need to design buildings for wildlife as well as people

Our lives are intertwined with animals, insects and birds – we should consider them more when we design our cities.

Paul Dobraszczyk, Lecturer in Architecture, UCL • conversation
March 2, 2023 ~6 min

Native eastern fence lizards changed their bodies and behavior in response to invasive red imported fire ants

The ways eastern fence lizards have changed in response to red imported fire ants demonstrate how species can adapt to survive the presence of invasive predators.

Tracy Langkilde, Professor of Biology and Verne M. Willaman Dean, Eberly College of Science, Penn State • conversation
Jan. 13, 2023 ~10 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


How do ants crawl on walls? A biologist explains their sticky, spiky, gravity-defying grip

Ant feet are equipped with an array of tools – from retractable sticky pads to claws to special spines and hairs – enabling them to defy gravity and grip virtually any surface.

Deby Cassill, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida • conversation
Sept. 12, 2022 ~6 min

In defence of ants

Give ants a chance.

Christopher Terrell Nield, Principal lecturer, bioscience, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
July 14, 2022 ~6 min

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