Entomology

Wolbachia is a bacterium that infects mosquitoes. It prevents viral replication in its host and may protect us from dengue, Zika virus disease, and other illnesses.

An article about the Sydney funnel web spider (found in Sydney, Australia), which is one of the world's most deadly spiders. Unlike many other spiders, this one will actually charge its victim and deliver a full dose of painful venom, so it is best to avoid them whenever possible.

If you found a green caterpillar, this quick and easy guide can help you identify it.

Named after the caterpillar's resemblance to an elephant's trunk, the elephant hawk-moth caterpillar interestingly transforms into a colorful moth. Although, when the caterpillar's head recoils, two large eye-like markings behind the head suggest a snake-like animal, often frightening predators.

An overview of the life and times of the Common Blue Damselfly.

An informative article about mind-controlling fungi called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato that only affects ants in the Camponotini tribe causing strange behavior and ultimate death to any ant infected.

Whirligig beetles are fun to watch as they scoot across the top of the water but when they feel threatened, they actually earn their name, as they swim erratically and wildly in circles. They can fly but prefer an aquatic life. This article explores all aspects of their life.

Horsehair worms are long and slender animals that writhe and form shapes resembling knots with their body. They are parasites during part of their life cycle and at one point control the behaviour of their host.

Few people are aware of how black widow spiders contributed to the World War II effort, but they had a significant impact. In fact, a LIFE magazine article published on August 30thof 1943 credited each of several government employed arachnids with spinning between 100 and 180 feet of thread a week.This thread was then used to make cross hairs in the gunsights of U.S. Army instruments of war.

Spiders are fascinating animals that help us by removing harmful insects from the environment. Spider silk is very strong and is potentially useful for humans.

Bees play a very important role in pollinating flowers, but the insects are disappearing. Pesticides may be at least partly responsible for this disappearance.

Its hard to find a simple answer to the question, How long do ants live? It could depend on caste, habitat, diet, and a lot of other factors that differ from one species to another. Ants have been around for at least 100 million years, and to this day there are at least 12,000 different ant species.

There are two types spiders in California whose bite you really want to avoid: widows and recluses.

Honey bees are very smart despite having tiny brains. They can learn; they have good memories, and they can communicate using a unique symbolic language.

Bumble bees have surprisingly capable brains. They can play a simple version of soccer and pull a string to get a reward. They may even experience optimism.

If you found a black or dark-colored caterpillar, this quick and easy guide can help you identify it.