The fascinating sex lives of insects

You’ll never look at spiders the same way.

Louise Gentle, Principal Lecturer in Wildlife Conservation, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
June 25, 2024 ~6 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


I surveyed 17 million insects flying through a Pyrenean mountain pass – here’s what I learned about these ‘remarkable migrants’

Researchers have been estimating the vast numbers of insects, including many pollinators, migrating at one location in the Pyrenees. But climate change and habitat loss could affect their abundance.

Will Hawkes, Insect Migration Researcher, DEPT, University of Exeter • conversation
June 11, 2024 ~8 min

As No Mow May ends, here’s why we should keep patches of lawn permanently wild

A little corner of the garden set aside for wildlife can make a huge difference, if we all do it.

Philip Donkersley, Senior Research Associate in Entomology, Lancaster University • conversation
May 30, 2024 ~7 min

It’s OK to mow in May − the best way to help pollinators is by adding native plants

NoMowMay is a catchy concept, but it doesn’t provide the food that native North American pollinators need or lasting support for them.

Harland Patch, Assistant Research Professor of Entomology, Penn State • conversation
May 15, 2024 ~8 min

Why evolution often favours small animals and other organisms

Ever been made to feel small? Here’s why being petite is no bad thing.

Tim Rock, PhD Candidate in Biology, University of Bath • conversation
May 9, 2024 ~8 min

Why don’t female crickets chirp?

Only male crickets have wing structures that produce sound, but females are very good at following the signal.

Floyd W. Shockley, Entomologist and Collections Manager, Smithsonian Institution • conversation
April 22, 2024 ~6 min

Wild turkey numbers are falling in some parts of the US – the main reason may be habitat loss

Wild turkeys were overhunted across the US through the early 1900s, but made a strong comeback. Now, though, numbers are declining again. Two ecologists parse the evidence and offer an explanation.

William Gulsby, Associate Professor of Wildlife Management, Auburn University • conversation
April 19, 2024 ~10 min


Billions of cicadas are about to emerge from underground in a rare double-brood convergence

The last time that these two groups of cicadas emerged from underground together, Thomas Jefferson was president.

Chris Simon, Senior Research Scientist of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut • conversation
April 18, 2024 ~11 min

Survey reveals UK butterfly winners and losers in the wake of record high temperatures

Some butterflies are expanding their ranges as the climate changes, others are dwindling.

Marcus Rhodes, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter • conversation
April 3, 2024 ~6 min

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