Insects & Invertebrates
Are insects more active in the day or night? Scientists may finally have the answer
After observing more than three million insects, scientists in Australia have "a definitive answer to the age-old question of whether there are more insects out at night or in the day”. So, which is it?
Caterpillars are insects but have more than six legs. Here’s why
Discover the evolutionary marvels that contribute to a caterpillar's unique locomotion and survival strategies.
Discover the flatworm that can survive being sliced up by a knife
Nick Baker explores the bizarre life of a freshwater flatworm
Meet the moon snail, a killer predator who likes to paralyse and liquidise its prey
If you're visiting a sandy beach you may like to reflect on something that might be going on below your feet. Lurking behind the veil of wet sand, a killer is on the prowl. A driller-killer, no less. Let me introduce you to the moon snail
Lord Voldemort ant discovered in Australian outback
The ghostly new species of ant, named after the Harry Potter villain, was found in the Pilbara region of north-west Australia.
Tardigrades: meet these fascinating tiny water bears that are the toughest creatures on earth, able to survive being microwaved and sent to space
Tardigrades are one of the toughest and most intriguing creatures on Earth. Nick Baker takes a look at these microscopic bear-like creatures, also known as water bears
Ugh there's a tongue-eating parasite? Afraid so, and it grows as big as a cockroach. Meet Cymothoa exigua
What’s grosser than gross? A parasite that eats your tongue – and then lives in your mouth, as your tongue. Meet the nightmarish Cymothoa exigua.
Meet the deadliest and biggest wasp in the world - complete with its scary 6mm stinger - and learn why it's called the murder hornet
This giant wasp would not be a welcome guest at your picnic, says Kitty Aldis
Meet the green banded broodsac, a deadly - and frankly - weird zombie parasite that turns a snail’s eyestalks into colourful, pulsating glowsticks
Nick Baker takes a look at the fascinating life of a green banded broodsac, which turns snails into disco zombies
The mysteries of glow worms explained: what they are and why they glow
All you need to know about glow worms, including how and why they glow...
Trillions of cicadas are about to emerge in the US in rare 'cicada-geddon' event
This spring, in as many as 16 states across the USA, 17- and 13-year cicadas are due to emerge at the same time, something that last occurred in 1803. What will happen?
Are there any nocturnal butterflies?
Do any butterflies fly at night or is that just the prerogative of moths? Stuart Blackman takes a look
Centipedes vs millipedes: what's the difference?
How do centipedes and millipedes differ? Is it the number of legs? Stuart Blackman takes a look
New species! Tiny jumping spider found wandering around a university campus in England
A new non-native species of jumping spider less than 3mm long has been found walking around the grounds of the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus in Cornwall.
How do flies mate?
We explore the unique strategies and behaviours that drive these aerial acrobats to reproduce amidst the bustling world around us.
What is an exoskeleton?
These marvels of evolutionary engineering, crafted by millions of years of adaptation, serve as both armour and architecture for a vast array of creatures across the globe.
This wonderfully weird poop-eating fly with no wings or eyes had scientists miffed. Until now...
For a long time, biologists were puzzled by the curious appearance and behaviour of the New Zealand bat fly. Now they think they've figured it out. Nick Baker reports...
6 of the biggest spiders in the UK: look for them in canals, gardens, ditches... and under your bed
Don't be fooled in thinking large spiders live on exotic shores as the UK is home to a few giants..
World's most venomous spiders: Are these deadly spiders as fearsome as their reputation?
Here are the most venomous spiders in the world, but just how deadly are they really?
Can spiders fish?
Did you know spiders have fishing among their many talents? Laurie Jackson explains
Monarch butterfly migration: its remarkable 3,000 mile journey explored
Mike Unwin explores just how far this remarkable butterfly species travels when migrating
Stunning new species of moth with whip-like defensive mechanism discovered in Brazil
Resembling the bright markings of the European puss moth, the new species – Americerura brasiliensis – was found in south-east Brazil.
How many butterfly eggs reach adulthood?
Just what are the chances of butterfly eggs reaching adulthood? Richard Jones takes a look at the evidence
What are insects? And how many insects are there in the world?
What are insects? And how many species of insects are there? Stuart Blackman explains