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Scientists have discovered seven new species of katydids from the island of Madagascar. They are some of the largest and bulkiest insects in the world, with forelegs that look like the biceps of a body-builder. But these giants might also have a tender side — it’s possible the. . . Read More

In my latest article for The Scientist, I highlight the work of Dr. Ximena Bernal. She studies a tiny fly that eavesdrops on the mating calls of a particular tropical frog. Once it locates a calling frog, the fly crawls to its nose, where it can easily bite through the skin for a. . . Read More

The past 27 years have seen a dramatic decrease in total flying insect biomass, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. Researchers report that flying insects in protected areas have decreased by more than 75 percent in the last three decades, and the decline cannot be. . . Read More

Ants are the dominant waste managers of tropical rainforests, new research shows. In a large-scale study in the Malaysian rainforest, ants were responsible for moving more than half of food resources from the forest floor — playing a significant role in keeping the ecosystem. . . Read More

North American walnut sphinx moth caterpillars look like easy meals for birds, but they have a trick up their sleeves—they produce whistles that sound like bird alarm calls, scaring potential predators away. At first, scientists suspected birds were simply startled by the loud. . . Read More