Collage of insects in various stages of growth with environmental elements like sun, water, and food

What Makes an Insect Grow Up Temperature Time and Some Very Weird Triggers

Muhammad Sharif

In the fascinating world of insects, growing up isn’t as straightforward as it is for humans. These tiny creatures don’t simply get bigger with age—they undergo dramatic transformations governed by a complex interplay of environmental cues, hormonal signals, and genetic programming. From the temperature of their surroundings to day length and even unusual triggers like ...

A group of fireflies emitting pulses of light in perfect unison in a forest setting

Fireflies That Flash in Sync The Light Based Code We are Still Trying to Crack

Muhammad Sharif

In the warm embrace of summer evenings, one of nature’s most enchanting phenomena unfolds: thousands of fireflies pulsating in perfect harmony, creating a mesmerizing light show that seems orchestrated by an invisible conductor. This synchronous flashing, where entire colonies of fireflies illuminate the darkness in rhythmic unison, represents one of the most fascinating examples of ...

Split-view image comparing a human cityscape with a cross-section of an underground ant colony

Ants vs Humans Who Builds the Better City

Muhammad Sharif

Two of Earth’s most successful species—humans and ants—have independently evolved to become master architects and city builders. While humans construct gleaming metropolises of concrete and steel, ants build elaborate underground networks that house millions of inhabitants in perfect harmony. Though separated by scale and materials, these urban developments share surprising similarities in their complexity, organization, ...

Illustrated map highlighting global regions where insects are commonly eaten

Insects on the Menu Where People Eat Bugs and Why You Might Too

Muhammad Sharif

When most Western diners sit down for dinner, the idea of insects crawling across their plate would typically inspire horror rather than hunger. Yet for approximately 2 billion people worldwide, eating insects isn’t just acceptable—it’s traditional, nutritious, and often delicious. Entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, has sustained human populations for millennia and is gaining ...

Visual comparison chart of venomous vs. dangerous spiders

Venomous vs Dangerous Which Spiders to Fear and Which to Admire

Muhammad Sharif

Spiders have long been misunderstood creatures, often inspiring fear rather than fascination. While nearly all spiders possess venom—a fact that surprises many—only a small percentage pose any significant threat to humans. This disconnect between perception and reality has created a complex relationship between humans and arachnids, one filled with unnecessary fear and needless killings. Understanding ...

A floating insect in a microgravity environment aboard a space station

Bugs in Space What Happens When Insects Go to Orbit

Muhammad Sharif

As humanity ventures beyond Earth’s atmosphere, we aren’t traveling alone. Insects—our planet’s most numerous and diverse animal group—have been joining astronauts in space since the early days of cosmic exploration. From fruit flies on V2 rockets to sophisticated experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS), these tiny travelers provide valuable insights into how life adapts ...

Close-up of ornamental plants with hidden insect pests

How Ornamental Plants Introduced a Pest Problem to America

Muhammad Sharif

America’s lush gardens and landscaped properties showcase the nation’s love for beautiful, exotic plants. However, beneath this aesthetic appeal lies a troubling ecological narrative. For centuries, Americans have imported ornamental plants from around the world to beautify their homes and gardens, unwittingly introducing devastating pests and pathogens that have wreaked havoc on native ecosystems. These ...

Montage of mythical insect creatures from global folklore

Mothman Scarabs and Spider Gods The Role of Insects in Myth and Folklore

Muhammad Sharif

Throughout human history, insects and arachnids have crawled, flown, and spun their way into our collective consciousness, becoming powerful symbols in myths, folklore, and religious traditions across cultures. From the mysterious Mothman of Point Pleasant to the sacred scarabs of ancient Egypt and the spider deities woven into indigenous mythologies, arthropods have inspired both fascination ...

Close-up of an insect's compound eyes

If You Had Insect Vision What the World Would Look Like Through 30000 Eyes

Muhammad Sharif

Imagine waking up one morning to discover your perception of reality has been completely transformed. Instead of your usual two eyes, you now experience the world through tens of thousands of visual units, creating a kaleidoscopic mosaic of your surroundings. This isn’t science fiction—it’s the daily reality for insects all around us. Their visual systems ...

A spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillar crawling on a tree trunk

The Gypsy Moths New Name and Old Problem Forests Still at Risk

Muhammad Sharif

In forests across North America, a familiar threat continues to strip trees bare despite its recent identity change. The invasive insect formerly known as the “gypsy moth” received a new name in 2022 when the Entomological Society of America renamed it the “spongy moth” (Lymantria dispar) to eliminate the use of a derogatory term. While ...