The surprising reason why insects circle lights at night: They lose track of the sky

A new study shows how artificial light at night scrambles insects’ normal flight patterns, pulling them off course into orbit around the light.

Yash Sondhi, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Entomology, Mcguire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida • conversation
Jan. 30, 2024 • ~9 min

Tiny water-walking bugs provide scientists with insights on how microplastics are pushed underwater

Microplastic pollution is a growing problem − one lab is looking at tiny insects as inspiration for how these pollutants might move through water.

Andrew Dickerson, Assistant Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee • conversation
Jan. 22, 2024 • ~5 min

Honeybees cluster together when it’s cold – but we’ve been completely wrong about why

New research shows honeybee hive clusters are a sign of desperation, not insulation.

Derek Mitchell, PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds • conversation
Nov. 24, 2023 • ~6 min

Lizards, insects and other species are evolving with climate change, but not fast enough

From dark dragonflies becoming paler to plants flowering earlier, some species are slowly evolving with the climate. Evolutionary biologists explain why few will evolve fast enough.

James Stroud, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolution, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Nov. 21, 2023 • ~10 min

Lizards, fish and other species are evolving with climate change, but not fast enough

From dark dragonflies becoming paler to plants flowering earlier, some species are slowly evolving with the climate. Evolutionary biologists explain why few will evolve fast enough.

James Stroud, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolution, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Nov. 21, 2023 • ~10 min

Insects are spreading a devastating plant disease in Italy – Britain must keep it out

The meadow spittlebug can transmit a deadly bacterium – many plants in Britain could be at risk.

Vinton Thompson, Research Associate in the Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History • conversation
Nov. 16, 2023 • ~6 min

Bed bugs are a global problem, yet we still know so little about how they spread

The trouble is most countries don’t make bed bug infestation data available to researchers.

William Hentley, Teaching Associate in Ecology, University of Sheffield • conversation
Oct. 25, 2023 • ~7 min

How air pollution is making life tougher for bugs

We’re making life tough for insects – and not just by swatting them away with a newspaper.

Robbie Girling, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Southern Queensland • conversation
Sept. 21, 2023 • ~6 min

A slacker's guide to climate-friendly gardening

Your less manicured garden has the potential to combat tackle climate change and help wildlife survive.

Aimee Brett, Lecturer in Ecology & Conservation, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Sept. 6, 2023 • ~7 min

How do flies find every stinky garbage dumpster? A biologist explains their sensory superpower

Flies often beat out competitors for food because of their specialized sensing organs called antennae.

Christine Picard, Associate Professor of Biology, Indiana University • conversation
Sept. 4, 2023 • ~6 min

/

16