How a Hydrogen Isotope Reveals a Dragonfly’s Long-Distance Journey
A new study shows the dragonfly Pantala flavescens migrates as much as 8,000 miles round-trip between India and Japan. Researchers say the findings show the potential of using stable isotopes to track insect migrations.
How Ants’ Individual Encounters Influence Colony-Wide Behavior, and Vice Versa
A new review of ant research illuminates how ant behavior is driven by a cascade of individual decisions among colony members. Insights on ant movement and encounter rates also suggest parallels to collective behavior in another population under the microscope in 2020: humans.
These Insect Costume Designers are Dressed to Impress
Trick or treat? From colorful ornaments to foamy bubbles to piles of "junk," a variety of insects wear clever disguises that protect or hide them from predators. Learn about several of these insect ensembles—and perhaps find some inspiration for your next Halloween costume.
These Beetles Withstand Cyanide Blasts to Eat Millipedes
Flat-backed millipedes that defend themselves with cyanide have a fearsome foe in Promecognathus beetles, which are unfazed by the potent poison. A new study shows the beetles have evolved a unique tolerance for cyanide—rather than avoidance behavior or some other countermeasure—but the underlying mechanism remains unclear.