A dragonfly begins its life in the water. Many of the summer insects we see do not suddenly appear as the fully formed adult versions we are likely to casually encounter. These insects, along with ...

The natural world is full of colour, and few groups of animals are as colourful as insects. From the dramatic black and yellow stripes of wasps and striking spots of ladybirds to the dazzling metallic ...

The terms "bug" and "insect" are commonly used interchangeably in everyday language, yet scientifically, they refer to distinct categories of creatures. Insects belong to the vast class Insecta, ...

Insects are the dominant form of animal life on our planet, providing humans and wildlife with pollination, food, and recycling services but, despite concerns about population declines, little is ...

In Australia, assassin bugs use a lethal tool to ensnare snacks: resin from spinifex grass. Recent research shows that the crawly critters slather themselves in the gluey gum to catch and keep their ...

Below, 30 beautiful shots of earthly creatures by various flickr users—if this doesn't inspire your entry to this week's Giveaway Tuesdays Photo Challenge, I don't know what will! There are only a few ...

Microbes can be an important source of phenotypic plasticity in insects. Insect physiology, behaviour, and ecology are influenced by individual variation in the microbial communities held within the ...

The gut microbiota serves as a critical “organ” in the life cycle of animals, particularly in the intricate interplay between herbivorous pests and plants. This review summarizes the pivotal functions ...

At a dig site in China, a team of researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences working with a colleague from the Netherlands has uncovered the earliest known example of brood care in an insect. In ...

A bush cricket nymph grooming its feet. Source: Ross Piper, with permission. Although I've spent many years studying various aspects of social behavior and the cognitive and emotional lives of mammals ...

A bush cricket nymph grooming its feet. Source: Ross Piper, with permission. Although I've spent many years studying various aspects of social behavior and the cognitive and emotional lives of mammals ...