Here's what you need to know about mosquitoes this summer
Have you ever noticed that some summers seem plagued with mosquitoes, while others aren’t? Do you feel personally attacked by mosquitoes year after year? It’s not just in your head. Mosquito numbers vary from year to year, and month to month. And yes, some people attract more mosquitoes than others! We spoke to experts who gave us the buzz on the most annoying (uninvited) guests at your summer BBQs.
Metamorphosis: When Evolution Gets Weird
Metamorphosis: when one thing becomes another.
12 tiny and adorable bugs who will change the way you look at insects
Not a fan of insects? We can’t really blame you—creepy crawlies are repeatedly portrayed as ugly, scary, dangerous or downright boring. But take some time to get to know a few species from the mindbogglingly massive world of invertebrates, and you’ll be amazed at how adorable these minibeasts can be. To aid you on your insect … Continued
Ants are the ultimate global conquerors
There are over an estimated 22,000 different species of ants roaming our planet today. They’ve been roaming our planet since about 110 to 130 million years ago, when they evolved from a wasp-like ancestor. And they appear on just about every single landmass on the planet, except the Arctic, a few isolated islands and Antarctica … Continued
Brainy bees and self-conscious ants—and their role in the rise of the machines
To bee or not to bee. That is the question that some invertebrates could be asking themselves on a regular basis, if two Australian academics are correct in their hypothesis that insects such as ants and honeybees have some level of self awareness, instead of merely being dumb drones that operate on a robotically simplistic … Continued
This infographic sheds light on the importance of bees
Bees are absolutely fascinating creatures, and play a vital role in the survival of our species. These buzzing insects pollinate 40% of the world’s food crops, and without them, we’d lose many natural staples in our diet. Sadly, bee populations are declining rapidly every year, in a large part due to pesticides. Alex Evans created … Continued
These insects have ears in their knees
Being able to listen with your knees isn’t the only thing that sets this leaf-like insect apart. Katydid males, for instance, are renowned for their, ahem, endowment.
Rhino beetles love a good fight, and here's why
These beetles are not known to back down from a fight. In fact, they are one of the toughest and strongest insects on the planet.
25 photos that show how beautiful and tough velvet ants are
Despite their name, velvet ants are not ants at all… they’re wasps! With brightly coloured hairs to deter predators, an extremely tough endoskeleton, and an incredibly powerful sting, velvet ants are a force to be reckoned with.
These snails are so destructive, they are banned from the US
African land snails can devour an entire head of lettuce in one sitting, so imagine what a bunch of them could do to your crops.
A spider named Cash (not Sue)
A newly discovered species of spider has just been named after Johnny Cash. The tarantula, which you can now call Aphonopelma johnnycashi (anything but Sue), lives in the foothills of Folsom Prison in California, where Cash famously recorded a live album while playing a series of concerts for inmates in the late 1960s. But that’s … Continued
Exploring the extreme resourcefulness of animals that live at the 'dry limit of life'
As far as we know, water is fundamental to all life on this planet. But there are places on Earth that receive as little as 0.76 mm of rainfall a year and have no open freshwater sources. To live in these extremely arid environments, evolution has favoured those able to adjust to life with little water, … Continued
5 amazing wetland animals we'd never heard of before
Wetlands are essential habitats, playing crucial roles in our environment. They protect our shores from waves, reduce the impacts of floods by soaking up water like a sponge, filtering and purifying it so water quality improves, and they absorb pollutants too. Wetlands also provide a habitat for a huge diversity of animals and plants, many of which are … Continued
Plagues of locusts are very real and very destructive
What sounds like a curse from a mythological tale actually has a very real basis. Plagues of locusts will descend on crops and leave behind a trail of destruction in their path.
Why are cockroaches so incredibly hard to kill?
These creepy-crawlies have earned a bad reputation thanks to their invasive nature and knack for spreading disease, but cockroaches are more deserving of our admiration than scorn as they hold an impressive ancestry that dates back over 300 million years. And thanks to their incredible ability to adapt to pretty much anything, they may live … Continued
This beetle is known for playing dead
As its name suggests, the blue death feigning beetle is well known for playing dead when threatened.
These insects survive by mimicking twigs
There are over 3000 different species of stickbug, and each one is built to blend in with its local flora.
Why do bees work together?
When it comes to survival, bees have learned that cooperation is key. Instead of trying to fend for themselves, bees work together for the greater benefit of the hive and exhibit an altruistic behaviour.
Nature, you can be one scary place
Vampires? Werewolves? Zombies? Sure, they can be scary, but they’re not real. From the creepiest of crawlies to sharp-fanged beasts, nature is full of creatures that will send shivers down your spine… and they’re not make-believe.
This is the world's heaviest insect
The Little Barrier Island Giant Weta (Deinacrida heteracantha) has several claims to fame. It is old enough to have seen the dinosaurs come and go. It is the biggest grasshopper in the world, and it is also the world’s heaviest insect. There are over 70 species of weta in New Zealand—the only place on earth … Continued