Detailed close-up of a gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) on sandy terrain in Florida.

Gopher Tortoise Burrow Ecosystems: Where Reptiles and Insects Coexist

Sylvia Duruson

Deep in the sandy soils of the southeastern United States, an ancient reptile engineers one of nature’s most surprising biodiversity hotspots. The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is more than just a solitary shelled wanderer. With powerful forelimbs adapted for digging, it creates elaborate underground burrows that shelter not just itself, but hundreds of other species. ...

Honeybee hive

If Bugs Ran the World Showcasing What an Insect Government Might Look Like

April Joy Jovita

Imagine waking up tomorrow to discover that insects—those tiny creatures that outnumber humans by more than one billion to one—have established their own government and now run the world. What would such a society look like? How would decisions be made? While entirely speculative, exploring an insect-led political system offers fascinating insights into both entomology ...

Three Madagascar hissing cockroaches crawl on soil and a textured rock surface, set against a rustic brick wall background.

The Oldest Insects Still Alive Today

Sylvia Duruson

When we contemplate ancient life forms that have stood the test of time, dinosaurs or sharks might first come to mind. However, the true champions of evolutionary endurance are insects. These remarkable arthropods have survived multiple mass extinctions and continue to thrive in virtually every habitat on Earth. Today, we’ll explore the fascinating world of ...

Fruit flies feeding off the banana

What Science Says About Bug Brains

April Joy Jovita

The concept of dreaming has fascinated humanity for millennia, with interpretations ranging from divine messages to the brain’s method of processing information. While we’ve extensively studied human dreams and even those of mammals like dogs and cats, the question of whether insects dream remains largely unexplored territory. With insects making up more than 80% of ...

Periodical cicada on a branch

The Eastern United States Home To The Legendary Seventeen-Year Swarms of Periodical Cicadas

April Joy Jovita

In the eastern United States, a remarkable biological phenomenon unfolds with clockwork precision. Every 17 years, the forest floor trembles as billions of periodical cicadas emerge simultaneously from their underground sanctuary. These insects have spent nearly two decades in darkness, feeding on tree root sap and biding their time. When soil temperatures reach approximately 64 ...

A parasitic wasp on a flower

The Real Bugs That Inspired Movie Monsters

April Joy Jovita

From the terrifying xenomorph in “Alien” to the giant insects of “Starship Troopers,” some of Hollywood’s most memorable monsters draw inspiration from the tiny, often overlooked creatures that inhabit our world. While these movie monsters may tower over buildings or hunt humans with ruthless efficiency, their origins often trace back to real arthropods with fascinating ...

Lychee shield bugs mating

High-Contrast Colors in the Wild and What They Signal Shows When Bugs Go Neon

April Joy Jovita

In the natural world, color is more than decoration—it’s communication. Among the most striking examples are insects that display vivid, high-contrast patterns and neon-like hues that seem almost artificial in their brilliance. These eye-catching colors aren’t random fashion choices but sophisticated visual signals developed over millions of years of evolution. From the fiery orange of ...

Northern Black Widow - Latrodectus variolus

The Texas Redback Spider: A Colorful Cousin of the Black Widow

Sylvia Duruson

Deep in the heart of Texas, among the dusty landscapes and rugged terrain, dwells a spider that combines striking beauty with potent venom. The Texas Redback spider, with its glossy black body and distinctive crimson markings, has captivated the attention of arachnologists and nature enthusiasts alike. This remarkable arachnid shares familial ties with the infamous ...

grasshopper, lobster, mimicry, camouflage, brown, insect

Insects That Mimic Leaves, Sticks, and Even Bird Poop

Rica Rosal

In the never-ending evolutionary arms race between predator and prey, insects have developed some of the most remarkable camouflage strategies in the animal kingdom. These masters of disguise have evolved to mimic objects in their environment with such precision that they can disappear in plain sight. From insects that perfectly resemble dead leaves with veins ...

a close up of a fly on a wooden surface

Do Flies Have Sleep Cycles What Happens in a Resting Bug Brain

Rica Rosal

When we observe flies buzzing around our homes or landing on our food, we rarely consider whether these tiny insects need rest. Yet, the question of insect sleep has fascinated scientists for decades. Research reveals that flies do indeed exhibit sleep-like states, complete with distinctive patterns and neural processes. Though vastly different from human sleep, ...