Help bolster the UK's beetle populations after a cold and rainy spring
If you’ve ever been to the UK in early June, you’re likely to remember the lovely, temperate weather, high tea in the garden, and perhaps the presence of beetles on the prowl for a mate. June is known as peak beetle season as many species are looking to reproduce. Stag beetles in particular put Read More...
Protect your neighborhood insects this spring with amber-hued lights
Insects play a big role in our ecosystems. They provide decomposition and nutrient cycling services, pollinate crops, and are a food source for birds and other animals. In monetary terms, researchers have valued the services insects offer various ecosystems at $57 billion per year in the US Read More...
Find everything you need to support pollinators in your yard right here
We all want to support pollinators, but the best way to do this varies based on where you live. If you live in the US, Xerces Society is a great resource for finding the most impactful pollinator protection tools at your disposal. The organization's Pollinator Conservation Resource Center is Read More...
Cicada wings inspire scientists to develop waterproof surfaces of the future
Researching the physical and chemical properties of insect wings, a team of scientists from the University of Illinois has managed to reproduce the incredible material properties that help cicada wings repel water and keep bacteria at bay. The novel technique, which uses commercial nail polish, is Read More...
Why more farms should feed maggots to chickens rather than soy
Watching chickens peck around for insects should be an utterly normal experience, but in this day and age, most hens are kept indoors where they are forced to eat a grain and soy-rich diet. These chickens might never see an insect in their life. The reason farmers opt for soy is rather simple: Read More...
Repel unwanted insects by growing these plants in your garden
If you’re having problems with mosquitoes, gnats, and other pesky flies while sitting in your garden or patio, you don’t need to cover yourself with a sticky spray or engage in chemical warfare. Instead, try strategically placing insect-repelling plants in your garden or on your patio. From the Read More...
GreenPee is a planet-friendly public urination solution
With Covid-19 cases decreasing, the city of Amsterdam was excited to start moving out of lockdown, but more people out and about meant the resurgence of an old problem: public urination. Fortunately, the city found a green way to address this unwanted behavior with GreenPee hemp-filled public Read More...
Scientists create tiny camera backpack to show how beetles see the world
Have you ever wondered how bugs view the world? Well, now that’s possible after researchers from the University of Washington created the “GoPro for beetles,” a robotic backpack equipped with a tiny camera that can be put onto beetles to capture their bug’s-eye view. On top of the Read More...
Minnesota scientists are making an experimental forest for a future climate
The landscape of Minnesota is changing as the climate crisis intensifies. Animals and plants that once were only found in the southern part of the state have moved north, suggesting that as the climate changes, Minnesota, by 2100, will start to resemble an environment similar to the one found in Read More...
Here's what the future landscape of protein production could look like
What could the future landscape of food look like? This question has seen numerous approaches in the recent year with the main concern being planet preservation. Some preach a change in our food culture shifting towards less meat consumption, while others have tried to replicate meat from Read More...