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Since 1971, Oregon has used a flea beetle against tansy ragwort; 7 years later, the state said the biocontrol had cut infestations by 90%In Oregon, a tiny flea beetle has emerged victorious in the battle against toxic tansy ragwort, a notorious invasive weed that has plagued ...- Since 1965, Florida has used the alligatorweed flea beetle to control invasive mats; once established, it can cause them to collapse within about 3 monthsA small but mighty insect, the alligatorweed flea beetle, has proven to be an efficient guardian against the spread of invasive alligatorwe...
- In 1888, USDA sent an entomologist to Australia to collect vedalia beetles for California’s cottony cushion scale; within a year, the pest had sharply declinedThe cottony cushion scale insect threatened California's citrus growers with devastation. The USDA took action by sending a scientist to Au...
- In July 2019, scientists watched mayflies mistake solar-like glass for water; females landed and deposited eggs on the dry surfaceFemale mayflies are confusing solar panels for water surfaces, which is causing difficulties with their reproduction. This issue, termed po...
- In 2024, Tornyol Systems showed how a 1.4-ounce drone could detect and hunt mosquitoes using ultrasonic sensors. Two years later, the Paris startup recorded its first autonomous kill, but the victim was 1 moth, not a mosquitoA Paris startup just recorded its first autonomous insect kill using a 1.4-ounce drone. Tornyol Systems built the quadcopter with ultrasoni...
- In 2010, researchers tested solar panels with white lines; the modified surfaces were up to 26 times less attractive to polarotactic insectsSolar panels, with their shiny surfaces, can inadvertently attract insects seeking water. This phenomenon leads to ecological harm, disrupt...
- How a mosquitofish brought in to kill mosquito larvae became major freshwater ecosystem problemA fish introduced to Hawaii over a century ago now threatens native freshwater wildlife. The mosquitofish, brought to control mosquitoes, n...
- Do you have these things in your garden? They could be attracting snakes to your homeGardens can inadvertently become havens for snakes by supplying vital resources such as shelter and food. Overgrown grass and thick plants ...
- 112 million years ago, a rainforest thrived in what is now Ecuador; amber from the lost Early Cretaceous forest preserved insects, pollen, and a strand of spider webScientists discovered ancient amber in Ecuador's Napo Province, dating back 112 million years. This amber contains preserved insects and sp...
- Since 1997, Florida has released Australian insects to help control melaleuca in the Everglades; its invaded range has shrunk by nearly 75% alongside herbicide and mechanical removalIn Florida's Everglades, Australian insects played a crucial role in curbing the spread of invasive melaleuca trees. By targeting these tre...
- Canadian researchers “cleaned up” burned forest by removing every dead tree; bird abundance fell 50% in areas without snags for food, perching, and nestingClearing away dead trees after forest fires can lead to a notable decline in bird numbers. These standing dead trees are essential, offerin...
- In 1875, Charles Darwin suggested some plants could capture insects using sticky hairs, but he couldn't prove it. 150 years later, researchers confirmed a Chinese species attracts and traps flies with the same mechanismIn a remarkable confirmation of Charles Darwin's 1875 insight, researchers have discovered that Saxifraga candelabrum, a plant native to Ch...
- In 1988, USDA scientists released just 88 flea beetles in North Dakota; their descendants multiplied into hundreds of millions across North AmericaIn North Dakota, a targeted release of flea beetles marked the beginning of a successful biological control initiative. These beetles flour...
- Earlier this year, Smithsonian scientists decoded the pheromones that determine whether bee daughters stay home or leave. It produced surprising clues about how simple insect societies evolve into complex communitiesBee pheromones: New research reveals queen bees use chemical signals to guide daughters. These pheromones influence whether daughters remai...
- In 1875, Charles Darwin first suggested two plant species might be carnivorous, new study finds unique flower matches legendary naturalists' hypothesis. Check how does it catch insectsCatching insects comes with a potential drawback. Many carnivorous plants depend on insects for pollination and risk trapping the very visi...
- In 1998, an insect no bigger than a grain of rice reached Florida on imported plants; the start of a chain of events tied to the state's orange harvest falling more than 90%A tiny pest first introduced in 1998 has been the cause of devastation in Florida's orange groves due to citrus greening disease, resulting...
- Japanese scientists painted cows like zebras to stop flies biting them, and it actually worked - the bizarre experiment that won an Ig Nobel in 2025Japanese researchers painted cattle with black and white stripes to deter biting flies. This unusual experiment aimed to reduce insect atta...
- In 2013, Croatian scientists trained honeybees with TNT-laced sugar syrup. Years later, it helped restore mine-contaminated landscapes by detecting hidden explosivesHoneybees trained to detect explosives: Researchers are training honeybees to detect explosives using their keen sense of smell. Drones and...
- Scientists discover a flower that secretly eats insects, and say there could be many more killer plantsA remarkable discovery has unveiled Saxifraga candelabrum as a genuine carnivorous plant species. Thriving in challenging alpine regions, i...
- In 2016, scientists identified the globe skimmer as the world's longest-distance insect flyer. Years later, it reshaped our understanding of insect migrationResearchers from Rutgers University have uncovered genetic evidence demonstrating that dragonflies embark on remarkable long-distance migra...
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