INSECTS

Tears are a treat for some butterfly species.

7 Disgusting Things Butterflies Eat

Blood, sweat, and tears (and a few other choice substances): It’s all on the menu.

Radioactive Wasp Nests Discovered Near Cold War-Era Nuclear Storage Site

A shocking discovery was made at a nuclear facility: wasp nests contaminated with radiation.

13 Fascinating Facts About Bees

Sure, you know that bees pollinate our crops and give us honey. But there's so much more to these buzzing insects than that.

Sorry to this little guy but feral swine are a huge problem.

Which Invasive Species Are Near You? Find Out With This Interactive Map

EDDMapS’s database has more than 9 million records of invasive species. See which ones hit close to home.

Fireflies Are Surging This Summer, in a Rare Win for the Insects

Firefly populations have been declining, but there may be light at the end of the tunnel for the glowing bugs.

The cocoon is on the left and the chrysalis is on the right.

Chrysalis vs. Cocoon vs. Pupa: What’s the Difference?

Confused about pupae, chrysalises, and cocoons? Discover the key differences between these metamorphic terms.

Why You Should Think Twice Before Using TikTok’s “Bucket of Doom” Mosquito Hack

Some swear by this summertime hack, and it does work. Unfortunately, though, the “bucket of doom” won’t solve all your mosquito woes this summer—here’s why.

Hungary’s Oldest Library Races to Rescue Books From Hungry Beetles

Tiny bugs are causing huge problems in Hungary.

You'll want to welcome these insects into your garden.

7 Creepy Crawlies You Want in Your Garden

Don’t kill these insects—consider them your friends!

These bugs are more likely to take over your summer vacation if you're in these cities.

25 U.S. Cities That’ll Have the Worst Mosquito Problems This Summer

Don’t want to bug out this summer? From Los Angeles to Houston and even Detroit, these are the U.S. cities that experts expect will have the worst problems with mosquitoes in 2025.

Resist the urge to smash this eight-legged fren.

The Reason You Shouldn’t Kill the Spiders in Your House, According to an Entomologist

Even if you don’t usually see them, spiders are in your house. And they’re paying rent, sort of.

Midwest and Northeast cities are the most fed up with beg bugs.

Map Shows Which Cities Are Most Worried About Bed Bugs

Yelp reveals the top U.S. cities searching for bed bug help. Find out where infestations are raising red flags.

This insect was found for the first time since 1980.

‘Extinct’ Monte Gordo Grasshopper Spotted on African Island for First Time in 45 Years

A rare grasshopper once believed to be extinct has been spotted for the first time since 1980—but habitat loss may threaten its future.

This puny creature packs a powerful sting.

What to Know About the Invasive Asian Needle Ants Spreading Across the U.S.

Asian needle ants may look small, but their stings are no joke.

Bees are being exposed to microplastics, and that's not good for anyone.

Bad Buzz: Microplastics Are Affecting Bee Cognition

Inhaling and ingesting tiny bits of plastic are giving bees memory issues—and can even kill them.

Interactive Cicada Map Shows Where You Can See (and Hear) Brood XIV This Spring

Use this map from the University of Connecticut to check if 17-year periodical cicadas will appear in your neighborhood soon.

Three outer cases of the “bone collector” caterpillar decorated with insect body parts.

This Newly-Identified Carnivorous Caterpillar Wears the “Bones” of Its Prey

The Hawaiian caterpillar adorns itself in dead bug parts—and its gruesome habits might be key to its survival in spider webs.

They might seem icky, but we can‘t live without them.

Fly Migration Is Essential to Our Ecosystem, Study Finds

Flies aren’t just decomposers—they’re also pollinators and pest predators. Researchers shows it’s time to appreciate these misunderstood insects.

Meet the Darwin’s Bark Spider, Weaver of the World’s Largest Webs

The web of a Darwin’s bark spider can span 82 feet.

Not quite a Brundlefly, but still too close for comfort.

What Happens When a Fly Lands on Your Food?

Learn more about how common house flies eat (and poop), plus what’s really going on when one of them ends up in your dinner.

Your Thrift Store Finds Probably Have Bugs in Them—Here’s How to Tell

Shopping secondhand? Learn how to avoid common pests like bed bugs and clothes moths during your next thrift store haul.

15 of the World’s Most Beautiful Moths

From the luna moth to the Madagascan sunset moth, these species rival the most stunning butterflies.

'Psylla frodobagginsi' (left) and Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' (2001).

10 Cool Animals Named After Lord of the Rings Characters

These creatures don't live in Middle-earth—but they sound like they could.

Can You Guess the Animal Phobia?

See if you can spot the names of these common (and not so common) terms for animal apprehension.