Insects
When Did Humans Arrive in the Americas? Lice Help Answer That Head-Scratcher
A new analysis of the annoying critters shows when groups from Asia and Europe hitched rides on human hair and skin to arrive on our continent
Millions of Sterile Fruit Flies Will Soon Be Dropped on Los Angeles
The influx of insects is meant to combat the invasive medfly, after officials identified two of the produce-destroying creatures in the area
Groundhogs Are Old News. In This Tiny Town, Caterpillars Predict the Weather
Thousands of people flocked to Banner Elk, North Carolina, this year to watch the nation’s biggest woolly worm caterpillar race
'Extremely Rare' Case of Locally Acquired Dengue Fever Detected in California
Officials say the risk of exposure to the virus, which is spread by mosquito bites, is very low for residents
Huge Cicada Broods Have Ripple Effects on Birds, Caterpillars and Trees
When Brood X emerged in 2021, scientists measured how the influx of billions of insects affected the ecosystem near Washington, D.C.
These Ten Stunning Images Prove That Small Is Beautiful
Selects from Nikon’s Small World Photomicrography Contest capture the elegance of insects, slime molds and more
Genetically Modified Silkworms Can Produce Spider Silk That's Stronger Than Kevlar
The sturdy, biodegradable fibers could one day be used for surgical sutures or armored vests
See 12 Winning Images From the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest
The stunning entries showcase the behaviors of ancient and elusive species, from horseshoe crabs to tapirs and orcas—as well as the threats they face
Four Unusual and Amazing Ways That Insects Team Up
The invertebrates create elaborate structures to escape danger and shimmer in synchronized performances to confuse predators
Why You Should Grow Native Plants in Your Garden
Entomologist Doug Tallamy explains how doing so can help insects and birds
Five Million Bees Fall Off a Truck in Canada
Local beekeepers rushed to the scene to help collect as many of the disoriented insects as possible
London Zoo Weighs All 14,000 of Its Animals, 'From the Tallest Giraffe to the Tiniest Tadpole'
The annual measurements help zookeepers track each animal's health over time
Paleontologists Discover Mummified Bees Preserved in Their Cocoons for 3,000 Years
Some kind of "catastrophic" event, such as a sudden freeze or flood, likely killed all the young adult bees at once, according to a new study
Invasive Yellow-Legged Hornet Spotted in the U.S. for the First Time
The insect, detected in Georgia, can snatch bees from the air while hunting, posing a threat to native pollinators and agriculture
Scientists Reveal Why Asp Caterpillar Stings Are So Excruciatingly Painful
A toxin in the insect's venom, which can punch a hole in cell walls, could inspire new drug-delivery methods in humans
Malaria Spread in the U.S. for the First Time Since 2003, CDC Says
Five infections caught locally in Florida and Texas have prompted health alerts from state and federal agencies
Monarch Butterflies’ Signature White Spots May Help Them Fly
These long-distance migrants could get a boost from their striking coloration, which may reduce drag by heating and cooling air unevenly
Mormon Crickets Are Creating Havoc in Nevada
In Elko, the insects have caused accidents on roads and problems in town
The Illuminating Science Behind Fireflies
A dedicated ornithologist with a passion for lightning bugs scours bogs and beaches to discover previously unknown species
See 15 Breathtaking Shots From the Close-Up Photographer of the Year Challenge
This themed contest rewarded minimalism, with clean photographs of insects, spiders and plants earning accolades
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