Insects

Find out everything there is to know about insects and stay updated on the latest insect research with the comprehensive articles, interactive features and insect pictures at LiveScience.com. Learn more about these fascinating species as scientists continue to make amazing discoveries about insects.
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All butterflies evolved from ancient moths in North America 100 million years ago
By Soumya Sagar published
Scientists have revealed how butterflies evolved and took over the world in a new tree of life.

Why are insects attracted to artificial lights?
By Meg Duff published
Artificial lights can be deadly to the insects that fly around them, so why do these critters do it?

How do bees make honey? From the hive to the pot
By Ailsa Harvey last updated
Reference By producing masses of this sweet substance, honeybees can stay active throughout the winter period. But how do they make it?

Which animal kills the most people every year?
By Ethan Freedman published
Of all the creatures on Earth, one insect is responsible for the most human deaths.

Beetles suck water into their butts to stay hydrated, and now scientists know how
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Instead of drinking water through their mouths, beetles opt for a different approach by using their butts.

New invasive mosquitoes descend on Florida, raising concerns of disease
By Nicoletta Lanese published
A species of mosquito from Central and South America has spread to South Florida.

'Supergene' mutation turned ants into parasitic wannabe queens
By Sascha Pare published
Scientists have identified a mutant strain of clonal raider ants that look like miniature queens and evolved quickly because of a single "supergene" mutation.

1st complete map of an insect's brain contains 3,016 neurons
By Nicoletta Lanese published
Scientists created a map of an entire larval fruit fly brain that shows all 548,000 synapses in the organ.
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