Insects and pollinators: animal news with sources
Insects and pollinators: the latest stories from newsrooms and wildlife agencies, in full, with the source named and a link to the original report.
Insects and pollinators
Rare mining bee discovered at Somerset wetland reserve
A restored saltmarsh in the West Country has attracted sea aster mining bees, marking a surprising westward expansion for the distinctive coastal pollinator.
BBC News · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Jumping spiders experience two distinct sleep stages
A study of Australian jumping spiders revealed resting behaviors similar to REM sleep, marking the first experimental proof of true sleep cycles in arachnids.
Phys.org · · 2 min read
Insects and pollinators
Wasp nest removed from wildlife trust office
A nature reserve manager allowed insects to shelter inside her workspace for months before dismantling the structure once the colony moved away.
BBC News · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Himalayan women sustain indigenous honey bees
In rural northern India, traditional wall hives maintained by village women offer vital refuge to native honey bees facing habitat loss.
Mongabay · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Following the flight routes of migrating monarchs
The fall monarch migration is fully underway! We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are fitting monarch butterflies with lightweight Bluetooth trackers…
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · · 2 min read
Insects and pollinators
Beehives function as living immune systems
A new study reveals honey bees strategically arrange hive materials to create layered antimicrobial defenses that safeguard their young and food.
Phys.org · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Honeybees aggressively push wild pollinators off flowers
A British study shows rising hive numbers drive managed bees to physically chase away bumblebees and hoverflies as nectar supplies dwindle in the heat.
The Guardian · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Bogong moth swarms appear on Australian weather radar
Massive insect flights moving across eastern Australia are generating weather echoes normally caused by precipitation as the animals head toward the Alps.
The Guardian · · 2 min read
Insects and pollinators
Essential oil sprays fail to control cockroach nests
A University of Kentucky study finds botanical sprays quickly eliminate individual roaches upon contact but fail to eradicate hidden indoor infestations.
Phys.org · · 2 min read
Insects and pollinators
How fruit fly brains coordinate threat displays
Researchers at Caltech identified distinct brain pathways that repurpose wing and leg actions to let male fruit flies challenge rivals.
Phys.org · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Common garden weeds attract highest pollinator visits
An eight-year citizen science project shows that autumn ivy blooms and hogweed provide crucial sustenance for bees, butterflies, and beetles.
The Guardian · · 2 min read
Insects and pollinators
Mosquito outbreak in Los Angeles pushes virus cases higher
Unusually warm weather and invasive species have triggered high insect numbers and raised health risks throughout the region.
The Guardian · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Dracula ant brains mature before adulthood
A study of Stigmatomma pallipes shows workers develop fully grown brains as pupae, enabling them to hunt immediately after emerging.
Phys.org · · 2 min read
Insects and pollinators
Urban garden supports migrating monarch butterflies
A Chicago resident cultivates native flora to offer essential refuge and nourishment for imperiled pollinators traveling southward toward Mexico.
The Guardian · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Butterfly beauty shapes scientific and conservation focus
A study reveals that colourful butterflies receive more research and funding while duller, threatened species are frequently overlooked.
The Guardian · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Cellular shape changes speed up insect vision
Microscopic structural shifts in sensory cells work alongside body motion to help insect nervous systems process visual cues with minimal delay.
Phys.org · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Honey bee hives act like single animals, study suggests
A fresh analysis comparing bee colonies to mammalian superorganisms suggests conventional apiary practices may disrupt their natural lifecycles.
Phys.org · · 1 min read
Insects and pollinators
Wasps take over plant cavities meant for ants
A study in Malaysian Borneo reveals that predatory wasps are displacing protective ant colonies from specialized tree stems across disturbed landscapes.
ScienceDaily · · 1 min read