All articles tagged with #insects
A BBC Wildlife feature explains how the alkali fly survives the toxic, salty waters of California's Mono Lake by living mostly underwater inside an air bubble, aided by a waxy, water-repellent cuticle; only its eyes touch the liquid, and it feeds on algae with grappling-hook claws, effectively wearing a natural armor for an extreme environment.
Guardian’s photo gallery spotlights the 2026 Close-up Photographer of the Year Awards, celebrating macro and micro imagery from around the world. The overall winner is Fractal Forest, showing the inside of a cauliflower soft coral in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia, by Ross Gudgeon, with standout entries across categories such as Intimate Landscape, Ethereal Frogfish, Cribraria Cluster, and Invertebrate Portrait.
A mosquito infestation has overwhelmed the El Segundo area near Los Angeles for roughly two months, with residents reporting relentless bites, nights disrupted by swarms, and mosquitoes invading homes despite preventive measures. City officials say they’re coordinating with Los Angeles Vector Control to identify sources and are focusing containment efforts on six blocks still under siege.
Researchers found female moths (Spodoptera littoralis) can hear ultrasonic sounds emitted by drought-stressed plants and use these cues to decide where to lay eggs. In experiments without real plants, moths preferred locations near a stress sound; when healthy plants were present, they avoided the stressed plants, showing context-based decision-making that integrates sound with smell.
Scientists at the American Museum of Natural History discovered over 70 new species this year, including dinosaurs, mammals, insects, and minerals, highlighting Earth's rich biodiversity and the value of natural history collections for ongoing scientific insights.
NASA is exploring the use of insects like fruit flies, bumblebees, and larvae to support sustainable life on the Moon and Mars by aiding in pollination, waste management, and soil health, potentially making them vital partners in off-world habitats.
The discovery of the fossil Telmatomyia talbragarica in Australia challenges previous beliefs that certain freshwater midges originated in Laurasia, suggesting instead a Gondwanan origin and providing new insights into insect evolution and the breakup of Gondwana.
Retired Australian teacher and fossil enthusiast Robert Beattie discovered the oldest fossil of its kind in the southern hemisphere, a new species of non-biting midge from the Jurassic period, challenging previous assumptions about insect evolution and origins, which were thought to be primarily from the northern supercontinent Laurasia. The find suggests a Gondwanan origin for these insects, highlighting the importance of southern hemisphere fossil research.
Scientists confirmed the first outdoor discovery of mosquitoes in Iceland, with three specimens of the species Culiseta annulata found in West Iceland, raising concerns about potential establishment due to climate conditions.
The 51st Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition recognized 71 outstanding images captured through microscopy, with China's Zhang You winning first place for his detailed photo of a rice weevil on rice, highlighting the intricate world of insects and their ecological roles.
The article highlights award-winning microscopic images from the 2025 Nikon Small World competition, showcasing intricate details of tiny life forms like insects, cells, and microorganisms, emphasizing the importance of understanding and appreciating the complexity of microscopic worlds.
Every fig contains a hidden insect, a wasp, involved in a mutualistic relationship with the plant, where the wasp pollinates the fig and is then digested by an enzyme in the fruit, making figs a fascinating example of natural cooperation and complexity.
Scientists have discovered 112-million-year-old amber samples from Ecuador that contain well-preserved 3D snapshots of ancient insects, including beetles, flies, and spiders, providing valuable insights into prehistoric life and the early relationship between flowers and pollinating insects. These bio-inclusions are rare and help scientists understand the biodiversity of the Gondwana supercontinent era.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, edible insects like maggots and caterpillars are traditional, nutritious, and valued food sources, especially in Kinshasa, where they are sold in markets and considered beneficial for health and longevity, despite some cultural hesitations.
Researchers discovered 112-million-year-old amber in Ecuador containing well-preserved fossils of insects and plant remains, providing valuable insights into a Cretaceous ecosystem in South America during the age of dinosaurs, including details about insect diversity and plant transition from gymnosperms to angiosperms.