The Natural History Museum in London holds a yearly contest for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. This year, the contest had a record 60,636 entries from around the world. Here are some of this year’s best pictures, and the stories behind them.
Posts tagged as “insects”
Birds, Not Mosquitoes is a collection of different groups working to protect Hawaii's native birds. The biggest concerns for these birds is avian malaria, which is spread by mosquitoes. Now BNM has started using drones to drop containers of specially treated male mosquitoes, hoping to lower the numbers of mosquitoes threatening the birds.
Scientists have made a surprising discovery about one of Australia's migrating moths - Bogong moths use the stars to help guide them on their long trips across Australia. The moths are the first insects known to use the stars as a guide while migrating.
Scientists in Hawaii have discovered a new species of moth, and its caterpillar has an unusual lifestyle. It lives in spiders' webs, eating insects it finds there. To protect itself from the spiders, the caterpillar covers itself with body parts from dead insects. Scientists call it the "bone collector" caterpillar.
Scientists at Penn State University used an unusual method to track honey bees. By placing tiny QR codes on the backs of the bees, the researchers can keep track of when the bees leave and return to their hives. The work will help scientists learn more about how bees collect food and how far they travel.
A new study shows that the number of butterflies in the United States has dropped by 22% over 20 years. The loss of butterflies could have serious effects on the environment and on US farms. Scientists say it's important to protect butterflies and other insects before it's too late.
In October, Mediterranean fruit flies were discovered in an area of Los Angeles. California is a big farming state, and this was serious news for farmers. The solution to the problem may seem a little unusual: releasing millions more of the flies.
People in Paris, France are growing concerned about a problem that has worried people for centuries: bedbugs. With more and more reports of bedbugs being found, politicians are starting to worry about getting rid of the insects before Paris holds the 2024 Olympics next summer.
Kids everywhere love to play. And they know that a ball is a perfect thing to play with. Now scientists at London's Queen Mary University report that bumblebees seem to know the same thing, making bumblebees the first insects known to play.
Most mosquitoes are annoying, and a serious health risk. But some aren't. A few even help get rid of other mosquitoes. Now, scientists have discovered the head-popping secret that turns the larvae of some mosquitoes into deadly hunters of other mosquitoes.
In an effort to help out important insects like bees and butterflies, bus stops across the United Kingdom and Europe are getting living roofs. Small gardens on bus shelter roofs are being planted with flowers chosen to help support the struggling insects.