Why moths might be more efficient pollinators than bees and butterflies

But pesticides and climate change are threatening moths’ future.

Max Anderson, South West Landscape Officer for Butterfly Conservation • conversation
Aug. 16, 2023 • ~7 min

More than half of life on Earth is found in soil – here's why that's important

With more than one species for every person on the planet, soils are the most diverse habitat on Earth.

John Quinton, Professor of Soil Science, Lancaster University • conversation
Aug. 16, 2023 • ~7 min

Bats are avoiding solar farms and scientists aren’t sure why

New research has found that bats avoid solar farms – but the findings should not hinder the transition to renewable energy.

Gareth Jones, Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol • conversation
Aug. 9, 2023 • ~7 min

Ivy, dandelions and other common wildflowers are often seen as weeds – but they're a crucial resource for pollinating insects

Native common wildflowers provide large amounts of pollen and nectar for insects – but many are undervalued by the public.

Nick Balfour, Research Technician in the School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex • conversation
Aug. 7, 2023 • ~7 min

Cicadas could hold the secret to self-cleaning surfaces – new study

Cicadas don’t need to bathe to stay clean.

Sreehari Perumanath, Leverhulme Early Career Fellow, University of Warwick • conversation
July 12, 2023 • ~6 min

Why there are fewer insects on UK farms than there were a century ago -- and how to restore them

Farms have become less friendly for our insect friends – this must be reversed if we want food to eat.

Tom Breeze, Senior Research Fellow, University of Reading • conversation
July 5, 2023 • ~8 min

Biting flies are attracted to blue traps – we used AI to work out why

New research on what attracts blood-feasting flies to blue objects could help minimise the impacts of those insects on people and animals.

Roger Santer, Lecturer in Zoology, Aberystwyth University • conversation
July 4, 2023 • ~6 min

Bees and hoverflies are key to growing more fruit and veg in cities -- new research

Maintaining a diversity of insects may be key for crop pollination in cities.

Elizabeth Nicholls, Research Fellow in Ecology, University of Sussex • conversation
June 15, 2023 • ~7 min

Light pollution is taking the sparkle out of glow-worm mating

Artificial light is making it harder for male glow-worms to find bioluminescent females.

Jeremy Niven, Professor of Zoology (Evolution, Behaviour and Environment), University of Sussex • conversation
June 13, 2023 • ~6 min

Speaking up for the annoying fruit fly

Some of the most important discoveries made in health and genetic science are thanks to the humble fruit fly.

Andreas Prokop, Professor of Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology, University of Manchester • conversation
June 2, 2023 • ~8 min

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