Strange, spiny beetle discovered in Japan
16 June 2023
A new-to-science species of beetle is marked by a distinct yellow band on its shoulders, long hair-like scales all over its body and legs, and the unique shape of its torso
-
Subject
-
Section
-
Type
-
Topics
-
Author
-
Issue
-
Premium
Mosquitoes learn to avoid pesticides after just one non-lethal dose
17 February 2022
Experiments show that two species of mosquitoes change their behaviour after exposure to five common pesticides, which could make the chemicals less effective
Ants use soil physics to excavate metre-long tunnels that last decades
23 August 2021
3D X-ray imaging and computer simulations suggest ants have developed a behavioural algorithm that allows them to excavate tunnels by using soil physics – the technique could eventually be harnessed to develop robotic mining machines
Lubricant found in a beetle's leg is more slippery than Teflon
7 July 2021
A lubricant harvested from beetle legs reduces friction more effectively than Teflon. The wax-like material could be used in microrobotics and small prosthetics
Near-uncrushable beetle's exoskeleton could inspire tough structures
21 October 2020
The diabolical ironclad beetle is almost uncrushable thanks to two newly discovered features of its exoskeleton. Mimicking these could help us build tougher structures
Wasps
5 March 2020
An insect that comes in a huge variety of species – from stripy stingers to tiny fairy wasps
Lyme disease
11 November 2019
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the world – that is, one transmitted by bloodsucking insects – with around 300,000 reported cases a year in the US alone.
