Insects & Arachnids
Although they may make your skin crawl, these tiny critters are much more than just slightly creepy. Roughly half of all living species are insects, making them the most successful types of organism by a long shot. Arachnids are also fairly prosperous comprising over 100,000 named species and inhabiting many varying environments.
What's the most painful insect sting?
Meet the insect with the most painful sting in the world
Billions of cicadas are emerging across the US. Will their pee be a problem?
These hummingbird-sized bugs can spray urine three times faster than a human
The new ‘Bone Collector’ caterpillar wears the remains of its prey – and we have the footage to prove it
A newly discovered caterpillar species has a macabre fashion sense, to say the least
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A massive insect study may have made a huge mistake
The debate over the results of a highly-cited paper raises questions about how biodiversity loss should be measured
The 15 weirdest pictures of nature's smallest animals
Take a look at some of the most stunning insects from around the world.
Is it true there are ground-up cockroaches in packets of pre-ground coffee?
Fancy a cup of roach? Sorry, joe. A nice cup o' joe.
Why we’re losing the war against inbred super bed bugs
The battle between bedbugs and humans is long and complicated and now, with the 2024 Summer Olympics ongoing, the stakes are higher than ever.
7 best kid-friendly bug catcher kits, and how to make your own
Discover the secret world of creepy crawlies living in plain sight with our pick of the best bug catcher kits, before returning them safely and unharmed to their natural habitat.
These ants can perform life-saving emergency surgery on each other, study finds
These particular ants from Florida are saving each other from infection with long, yet simple surgeries.
The world's 19 best (and weirdest) insect photos of 2024
Featuring creepy crawlies that wear the bodies of their prey.
A fungus will soon control millions of ‘zombie cicadas’ across the US. Here’s what to expect
Thousands of bugs are being taken over by a mysterious force as they emerge from the ground in record numbers.
Can you smell ants?
Expert advice: Don't stick your nose in an ants nest.
Cannibalism, barbed penises and a whole lot of venom: The 8 most brutal animal courtships
Some animals pair for life. Boring. Here are some that mutilate, kill and eat each other when they mate!
Billions of cicadas are set to emerge in an ‘insect apocalypse’. Here’s what to expect
Billions, possibly even a trillion cicadas are due to emerge in rarely synchronised double-brood event – here’s what we know, including when and where it will take place.
Tinkering with nature: Billions of engineered mosquitos are getting released into the wild to fight disease
The World Mosquito Project wants to eradicate dengue fever by infecting female mosquitoes with Wolbachia bacteria.
Bed bugs UK guide: How to get rid of them, and how to spot an infestation
All you need to know about the recent outbreaks of these bloodsucking insects.
Weird animals: 25 of the most bizarre animals on Earth
From an eel that can produce 400 times their volume in slime, to a fish with human teeth, here are some really weird animals from around the world.
See how insects are turned into zombies by these fungal parasites
The hit TV show The Last of Us imagined an apocalypse caused by a Cordyceps fungus turning humans into zombies. For many insects, real life isn’t much different…
Is it possible to inhale an insect into your lungs?
Could a creepy crawly end up in your lungs?
Bizarre Australian ant honey, used in Indigenous medicine, inspires powerful new antibiotics
It’s a first for Western science, but medicinal use of the Australian honeypot ant has existed in Indigenous lives for thousands of years.
Top 10 largest insects in the world
Slimy, yet even more satisfying.
Which would win in a race, a centipede or a millipede?
Bug wars: Who will reign supreme in the ultimate race?
Wing spots could make butterflies better at flying. Here’s why
A leopard may not be able to change its spots but new research shows that butterflies can, evolving to survive longer migrations.
Bugs on the brink: Why insects could be disappearing from your garden this year
Noticed fewer creepy crawlies in your back yard this spring? It's not just you: insects across the globe may be dying out. Here's why.