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Insect

Butterly insect decline

The global population of flying insects is crashing dangerously fast

Environment

Insects work very hard to feed the world’s people. They are also food for birds, bats and frogs, and they pollinate many plants, including food crops central to human civilization. But now civilization is destroying them.

robot insect

What can fly, swim and dive? This tiny robotic insect.

Technology

What’s for dinner? Edible insects on the menu in San Francisco

Business, Economics and Jobs
Insect photo

A new study pieces together the puzzle of insect evolution

Science
Kissing protest in Kerala, India

Indians stage a protest for the right to kiss

Global Scan
The World

The firefly’s blink is everyone’s favorite summer mating dance

Environment

Fireflies put on a beautiful summer light show for humans. But for them, it’s all about sex.

Monarch butterfly (Photo: Karen First)

The monarchs were missing this summer … and we and weather were to blame

Environment

Monarch butterflies, one of North America’s most recognizable and well-loved insects, have nearly disappeared from much of their range this year.

Sex and the Single Pest

Instead of applying pesticides to crops, Yoonseong Park decided to manipulate pest mating behavior by knocking out the brain chemical that transmits sexual desire. It works, and it could change the future of pesticides – except that right now, there’s no way of impacting pests.

How Insects Influence Plant Evolution

From the spice of the chili pepper to horseradish’s bitter bite, many plant traits are evolutionary adaptations to insects.

Experts look to edible bugs to help ameliorate food scarcity

Environment

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization says insects will be a viable solution to food scarcity. Edible insects are picking up momentum in the United States and in countries like Thailand, where the edible cricket industry is already worth $30 million.