Articles for category: Insects, New Discoveries

Scientists Discover New Insect That Mimics Lightning

Scientists Discover New Insect That Mimics Lightning

Jan Otte

Picture walking through a forest at dusk when suddenly, tiny flashes of green light begin dancing around you like miniature lightning bolts. These magical creatures have captivated humans for centuries, but recent scientific discoveries are revealing just how extraordinary these bioluminescent beetles really are. From ancient species that glowed alongside dinosaurs to newly discovered beetles ...

The Spotted Lanternfly Invasion: Why the Northeast Is on Alert

The Spotted Lanternfly Invasion: Why the Northeast Is on Alert

Annette Uy

Picture this: you’re enjoying a peaceful evening on your porch, watching the sunset, when suddenly hundreds of colorful insects descend upon your property like confetti from hell. They’re everywhere—on your trees, your deck furniture, even crawling up your windows. Welcome to the nightmare that’s becoming all too real for millions of residents across the Northeast ...

Mosquito on a leaf

Mosquitoes Break the Rules: Global Study Reveals Unexpected Feeding Flexibility

April Joy Jovita

A sweeping global study has overturned long-held assumptions about mosquito feeding behavior, revealing that these disease-carrying insects are far more adaptable than previously believed. Published in Global Ecology and Biogeography, the research analyzed over 15,600 mosquito blood-meal records and found that environmental factors—not just innate preferences—play a major role in determining which hosts mosquitoes feed ...

Green bush cricket in a leaf

The Secret Behind Green Bush Crickets’ Camouflage

April Joy Jovita

Scientists have finally uncovered the molecular mechanism that gives green bush crickets their distinctive foliage-like color. A newly identified protein, dibilinoxanthinin (DBXN), binds two distinct pigments—a blue bilin and a yellow lutein—to create the insect’s emerald-green hue. This discovery sheds light on how bush crickets achieve their remarkable camouflage, helping them blend seamlessly into their ...