Articles
22 articles on insects, identification, ecology, and the natural world.
Insect Life Cycle Explained
From egg to adult, insects undergo remarkable transformations. Learn about complete and incomplete metamorphosis and why it matters.
ScienceHow Do Crickets Make Sound?
Learn how crickets produce their characteristic chirping sound through stridulation, what the songs mean, and how temperature affects the chirp rate.
ScienceWhat Attracts Mosquitoes to Humans?
Explore the science behind mosquito attraction, from carbon dioxide and body heat to blood type and skin bacteria, and learn how to reduce your appeal.
ScienceThe Anatomy of an Insect
A detailed guide to insect body structure — the three main body regions, exoskeleton, respiratory system, and the specialised features that make insects unique.
ScienceHow Do Insects Breathe?
Discover the unique tracheal system that insects use to breathe, how it differs from lungs and gills, and why it limits insect size.
ScienceHow Do Insects Navigate?
An exploration of the sophisticated navigational abilities of insects, from the sun compass and polarised light detection used by bees to the magnetic sense of ...
ScienceWhat Is an Exoskeleton?
Learn about the insect exoskeleton — what it is made of, how it functions, why insects must moult, and how this remarkable structure shapes insect biology.
ScienceWhat Is Entomology?
An introduction to entomology — the scientific study of insects. Learn about its history, major branches, career paths, and why insect science matters more than...
ScienceHow Long Do Insects Live?
Explore the extraordinary range of insect lifespans, from mayflies that live for just hours as adults to queen ants that can survive for decades.
ScienceThe Life Cycle of a Bee
A comprehensive guide to the life cycle of bees, covering the developmental stages of honeybees and bumblebees from egg to adult, including the different roles ...
ScienceHow Do Butterflies Taste with Their Feet?
An exploration of the remarkable sensory biology of butterflies, focusing on the chemoreceptors in their tarsi (feet) that allow them to detect sugars, salts, a...
ScienceHow Do Fireflies Glow?
Uncover the science behind bioluminescence in fireflies, from the chemical reaction that produces light to the ecological purposes of their remarkable glow.