<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
     xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
     xmlns:dc="https://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
     xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"
     xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"
     xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
>
    <channel>
        <atom:link href="https://www.livescience.com/feeds/tag/insects" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
                    <title><![CDATA[ Latest from Live Science in Insects ]]></title>
                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects</link>
        <description><![CDATA[ All the latest insects content from the Live Science team ]]></description>
                                    <lastBuildDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:56:53 +0000</lastBuildDate>
                            <language>en</language>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Every ant is a queen in this parasitic species — and they reproduce by cloning themselves and hijacking other ant colonies ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/every-ant-is-a-queen-in-this-parasitic-species-and-they-reproduce-by-cloning-themselves-and-hijacking-other-ant-colonies</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A rare Japanese ant is the only species known to lack female workers and males; all of its young develop into parasitic queens that try to take over other colonies. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">ynNwSdrSdmub5J6XCiDKRU</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pShQKLdsow2Zg5YB2RqfQZ-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:56:53 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:06:58 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Chris Simms ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pShQKLdsow2Zg5YB2RqfQZ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Hamaguchi et al., Current Biology, 2026. CC BY 4.0]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Nest of &lt;em&gt;T. kinomurai&lt;/em&gt; containing young, winged gynomorphic and wingless intermorphic queens of &lt;em&gt;T. kinomurai &lt;/em&gt;(light brown) and dark brown &lt;em&gt;T. makora &lt;/em&gt;host workers.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Nest of ants containing young, winged and wingless queens of the species, T. kinomurai (light brown) and dark brown T. makora hostworkers.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Nest of ants containing young, winged and wingless queens of the species, T. kinomurai (light brown) and dark brown T. makora hostworkers.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pShQKLdsow2Zg5YB2RqfQZ-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Spotted lanternflies are invading the US. They may have gotten their evolutionary superpowers in China's cities. ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/spotted-lanternflies-are-invading-the-us-they-may-have-gotten-their-evolutionary-superpowers-in-chinas-cities</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The alarming spread of spotted lanternflies across the U.S. has been made possible by cities acting as evolutionary incubators, fine-tuning the insects and enabling them to thrive. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">WEBQagzHhkRTNuKPqh5cba</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jUWMGFzFN5mcm9UNWXZvSh-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:02:25 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 02:09:51 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Chris Simms ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jUWMGFzFN5mcm9UNWXZvSh-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Rolf Karlsson/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The invasive spotted lanternfly feeds on tree sap with its piercing mouthparts.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Closeup photo of a spotted lanternfly sitting still on a wooden table or bench. Its wings are tucked behind it and are brown with black spots. Its legs are solid black.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Closeup photo of a spotted lanternfly sitting still on a wooden table or bench. Its wings are tucked behind it and are brown with black spots. Its legs are solid black.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jUWMGFzFN5mcm9UNWXZvSh-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ A looming 'insect apocalypse' could endanger global food supplies. Can we stop it before it's too late? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/a-looming-insect-apocalypse-could-endanger-global-food-supplies-can-we-stop-it-before-its-too-late</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Insect populations are in steep decline, which could endanger the food supply. But there are things we can do to reverse the trend. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">r9ssDtF9nJLF8b3vqcgsmL</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qwXcaaQDHiJtNpVcjCudFo-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:37:20 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Joanna Thompson ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qwXcaaQDHiJtNpVcjCudFo-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Myriam Wares]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Insect populations are plummeting almost everywhere they&#039;ve been studied. That portends a bleak future for the world&#039;s food supplies. But there are ways to reverse the decline.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An illustration of a person pulling back a curtain full of colorful insects to reveal a deserted landscape]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An illustration of a person pulling back a curtain full of colorful insects to reveal a deserted landscape]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qwXcaaQDHiJtNpVcjCudFo-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'Nothing but a nightmare': Worker ants are tricked into murdering their mom by an imposter queen — who quickly takes the throne for herself ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/nothing-but-a-nightmare-worker-ants-are-tricked-into-murdering-their-mom-by-an-imposter-queen-who-quickly-takes-the-throne-for-herself</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A sneaky spray of chemicals makes ant workers turn on their own mother — the queen — so a parasitic invader can take over the colony herself. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">GzbgLT8VMixQ4HDoJhWeTd</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JuuC8FmRE23pbUy8aTZzu6-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 23:59:29 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Chris Simms ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JuuC8FmRE23pbUy8aTZzu6-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Keizo Takasuka/Kyushu University]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[In this photo, the parasitic ant queen Lasius orientalis (left) infiltrates the nest of Lasius flavus and apporaches their queen (right). ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[In this photo, the parasitic ant queen Lasius orientalis (left) infiltrates the nest of Lasius flavus and apporaches their queen (right). ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[In this photo, the parasitic ant queen Lasius orientalis (left) infiltrates the nest of Lasius flavus and apporaches their queen (right). ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JuuC8FmRE23pbUy8aTZzu6-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ How did metamorphosis evolve? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/how-did-metamorphosis-evolve</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ While it might seem like an all-or-nothing process, insect metamorphosis likely emerged through gradual evolutionary changes. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">Bo54ZkxvGoCPeBtBMWFw3F</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/435Tvn27m6bPSZUMWoBrcB-1280-80.gif" type="image/gif" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Marilyn Perkins ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/gif" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/435Tvn27m6bPSZUMWoBrcB-1280-80.gif">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Reza Alfiansyah via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Insect metamorphosis seems like an almost magical process. So how — and why — did it evolve? ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a time lapse animation of a monarch butterfly emerging from its chrysalis]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a time lapse animation of a monarch butterfly emerging from its chrysalis]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/435Tvn27m6bPSZUMWoBrcB-1280-80.gif" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Do figs really have dead wasps in them? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/plants/do-figs-really-have-dead-wasps-in-them</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Does every fig you eat really have a dead wasp inside? ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">CqDfLXB7Mw5GZ8MLGVeP8W</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VsJyieaxdfEEPUis8YU5o7-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 28 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Plants]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Planet Earth]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Marilyn Perkins ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VsJyieaxdfEEPUis8YU5o7-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Studio4 via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Is it true that every fig contains a sacrificed wasp?]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A photograph of a person holding an open fig]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A photograph of a person holding an open fig]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VsJyieaxdfEEPUis8YU5o7-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'Almost like science fiction': European ant is the first known animal to clone members of another species ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/ants/almost-like-science-fiction-european-ant-is-the-first-known-animal-to-clone-members-of-another-species</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A species of ant found scurrying across southern Europe is the first animal found that clones males of another species. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">6KAGhFhf7SDUHe8ELuy8sK</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HmpjKYcmyZFkFqw522MN7o-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:00:39 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:57:34 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sophie Berdugo ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HmpjKYcmyZFkFqw522MN7o-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Jonathan Romiguier, Yannick Juvé and Laurent Soldati]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The same Iberian harvester ant (&lt;em&gt;Messor ibericus&lt;/em&gt;) queen produced the hairy male &lt;em&gt;Messor ibericus&lt;/em&gt; (on the left) and the hairless male &lt;em&gt;Messor structor&lt;/em&gt; (on the right), despite them being members of distantly related species. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Two winged male ants on a black background. The ant on the left is covered in hairs and the ant on the left is hairless.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Two winged male ants on a black background. The ant on the left is covered in hairs and the ant on the left is hairless.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HmpjKYcmyZFkFqw522MN7o-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Are there any countries with no mosquitoes? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/mosquitos/are-there-any-countries-with-no-mosquitoes</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ One country has long been a mosquito-free zone, but global warming may change that. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">TuwrUTPjgVTLvD8wbbvtN4</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JiWeRLWBocj3PwWbCG79pd-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:39:09 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Clarissa Brincat ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JiWeRLWBocj3PwWbCG79pd-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[© Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Iceland is the only country that doesn&#039;t have mosquitoes. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Mount Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall at sunrise in Iceland.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Mount Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall at sunrise in Iceland.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JiWeRLWBocj3PwWbCG79pd-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Creepy new giant insect may be the heaviest ever recorded in Australia ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/creepy-new-giant-insect-may-be-the-heaviest-ever-recorded-in-australia</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Researchers have discovered a giant stick insect living at high altitude in tropical North Queensland. Acrophylla alta is around 16 inches long and a strong contender for Australia's heaviest recorded insect. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">C9tZcnSCroR5mhuQypFtAV</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYLWYLnvoZknfCzPvSZ7Dc-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:34:08 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 05 Aug 2025 15:13:29 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYLWYLnvoZknfCzPvSZ7Dc-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[James Cook University]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Researchers think &lt;em&gt;Acrophylla alta&lt;/em&gt; is a record-breaking insect.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A photograph of Acrophylla in a tree. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A photograph of Acrophylla in a tree. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cYLWYLnvoZknfCzPvSZ7Dc-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ What animal has the best eyesight? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/what-animal-has-the-best-eyesight</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ When it comes to exceptional eyesight, picking a clear winner is harder than you might think. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">uE4p4oRpFo24KuE8rnoGCN</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rvsQ6wuq2jDNUrPMKZ2qGL-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 22 Jun 2025 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:40:38 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Marilyn Perkins ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rvsQ6wuq2jDNUrPMKZ2qGL-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Freder via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Eagles are known for their vision. But do they really have the best eyes in the animal kingdom?]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a close-up of an eagle&#039;s eyes]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a close-up of an eagle&#039;s eyes]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rvsQ6wuq2jDNUrPMKZ2qGL-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Insects: Facts about the creepy-crawlies that make up more than half of the world's animal species ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/insects-facts</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Discover interesting facts about insects, the critters whose combined weight on the planet is 70 times that of all humans. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">CxuYNqAGm9czWtke3XZKKQ</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bqARPEUW448KqLQJswmwt6-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bqARPEUW448KqLQJswmwt6-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[dikkyoesin1 via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Scientists have described more than 1 million insect species.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[two ants on a branch lift part of a plant]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[two ants on a branch lift part of a plant]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bqARPEUW448KqLQJswmwt6-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Invasive Asian needle ants are surging in US Southeast — and their bite can trigger anaphylaxis ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/ants/invasive-asian-needle-ants-are-surging-in-us-southeast-and-their-bite-can-trigger-anaphylaxis</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Asian needle ants found in the southeastern states of the U.S. have been spreading north and west for years, but experts now consider them to be a medically important pest and urge caution. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">Df8bCFh225SWruVGTNTn4Z</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xv5fPFyYSGJojwx8ETDdpg-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2025 14:52:31 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:05:42 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xv5fPFyYSGJojwx8ETDdpg-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Clarence Holmes Wildlife via Alamy]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Asian needle ants are relatively small, dark and shiny. The tips of their legs and antennae are light orange.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Closeup of an Asian needle ant worker carrying prey in its mouth on a wooden surface.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Closeup of an Asian needle ant worker carrying prey in its mouth on a wooden surface.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xv5fPFyYSGJojwx8ETDdpg-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Bone collector caterpillar: The very hungry caterpillar of your nightmares ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/bone-collector-caterpillar-the-very-hungry-caterpillar-of-your-nightmares</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Bone collectors feast on dead and dying critters caught in a spider's web and then decorate themselves with the legs, wings and heads of their victims to avoid detection by their spider hosts. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">KNajkoTM6ekJ2DeZdwADCN</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PhTDdBqEHZqGkiJt7FMBwG-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 03 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 16 May 2025 14:00:30 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jesse Steinmetz ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PhTDdBqEHZqGkiJt7FMBwG-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Rubinoff lab, Entomology Section, University of Hawaii, Manoa]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Bone collector cases. The silken cases are &quot;decorated&quot; with the remains of past meals, including fly wings, ant heads, weevil heads, and bark beetle abdomens.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[three photos of caterpillars covered in pieces of other insects]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[three photos of caterpillars covered in pieces of other insects]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PhTDdBqEHZqGkiJt7FMBwG-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'A relationship that could horrify Darwin': Mindy Weisberger on the skin-crawling reality of insect zombification ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/a-relationship-that-could-horrify-darwin-mindy-weisberger-on-the-skin-crawling-reality-of-insect-zombification</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Science writer Mindy Weisberger speaks to Live Science about the parasites that turn their hosts — whether ant, beetle or caterpillar — into zombie-like puppets that act against their own interests. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">oGmuA2q3hrQbLeRY4zMBAi</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HzZF6nMYChLwGEUqhW79Ec-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:54:22 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:03:00 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HzZF6nMYChLwGEUqhW79Ec-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Samuel Ray/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A particularly gruesome example of insect zombification occurs when parasitic wasps lay their eggs inside caterpillars. The larvae chew their way through the caterpillar to spin their cocoons on its back.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A caterpillar covered in parasitic wasp cocoons.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A caterpillar covered in parasitic wasp cocoons.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HzZF6nMYChLwGEUqhW79Ec-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'The parasite was in the driver's seat': The zombie ants that die gruesome deaths fit for a horror movie ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/the-parasite-was-in-the-drivers-seat-the-zombie-ants-that-die-gruesome-deaths-fit-for-a-horror-movie</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ "Once the egg hatches, the ant has only a few weeks of life before it succumbs to the manipulations of its attacker, stumbling away from its home and family and then undergoing decapitation from the inside out." ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">mayApqkEQLkZhyBft8JC63</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b5vMSwRCcdWxopwVSvGHBC-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:00:10 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 16 Apr 2025 09:33:48 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Mindy Weisberger ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b5vMSwRCcdWxopwVSvGHBC-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[armi fauzi / 500px via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Decapitator flies lay their larvae inside the ant&#039;s thorax. The ant then has just a few weeks to live before its eaten from the inside out. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Close-up of an ants head.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Close-up of an ants head.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b5vMSwRCcdWxopwVSvGHBC-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ How many species of insects are there on Earth? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/how-many-species-of-insects-are-there-on-earth</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The number of insect species is mind-boggling — and they are a critical part of the environment. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">Sj34ZbRh3gnDbreMRgBhrB</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PPbmRqaTS8vziXoLv2uPY3-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:09:16 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Nicholas Green ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PPbmRqaTS8vziXoLv2uPY3-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Amith Nag Photography/Moment via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[This is a close-up photo of an ordinary garden fly.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a close-up of a fly]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a close-up of a fly]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PPbmRqaTS8vziXoLv2uPY3-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'An artist would be challenged to create such replicas': How looking closer reveals the beauty and lethal efficiency of insects ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/an-artist-would-be-challenged-to-create-such-replicas-how-looking-closer-reveals-the-beauty-and-lethal-efficiency-of-insects</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ "When a dragonfly hunts, it hovers perfectly still and positions itself between its prey and a shadow cast behind it by, say, a tree, concealing its position. It's a bit like creeping up on someone in a forest hiding behind branches." ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">68yEzGT9o4YX8VKgm4iGXn</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tu2iNXWXmCe3tJJRDZrDi8-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Paul Hawken ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tu2iNXWXmCe3tJJRDZrDi8-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Wild Horizons/Universal Images Group via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Giant owl butterflies (&lt;em&gt;Caligo idomeneus&lt;/em&gt;) have eye spots on their wings that look like the eyes of an owl, helping them avoid predators.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Eye spots on the outer hindwings of a giant owl butterfly (Caligo idomeneus).]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Eye spots on the outer hindwings of a giant owl butterfly (Caligo idomeneus).]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tu2iNXWXmCe3tJJRDZrDi8-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Moroccan fly maggot uses fake face on its butt to infiltrate termite colony ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/moroccan-fly-maggot-uses-fake-face-on-its-butt-to-infiltrate-termite-colony</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Researchers have discovered blow fly larvae with fake termite faces on their rears that enable them to socially integrate into termite colonies in the mountains of Morocco. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">zy7kodiPxJcjJsj2vFwbSM</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GDb7Zs5vkbfvBwgGRqWhgL-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:11:13 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:18:22 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GDb7Zs5vkbfvBwgGRqWhgL-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Roger Vila]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The fly larva uses its fake termite face to infiltrate termite mounds.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A photograph of the fly larva with a  fake termite face to infiltrate termite mounds. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A photograph of the fly larva with a  fake termite face to infiltrate termite mounds. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GDb7Zs5vkbfvBwgGRqWhgL-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Why are flies attracted to humans? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/why-are-flies-attracted-to-humans</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Flies are attracted to our pungent "cloud of effervescence," experts say. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">XDC48773PYqCu4NfLa68GG</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5naukfKeWzdpyy5cc98oSR-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 08 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 08:58:48 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Margaret Osborne ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5naukfKeWzdpyy5cc98oSR-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[VisualCommunications via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Wearing long clothing and using repellents like DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus can help deter some flies.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A photo of a man wearing netting surrounded by flies]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A photo of a man wearing netting surrounded by flies]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5naukfKeWzdpyy5cc98oSR-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ These insects keep evolving to look like sticks. Why? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/these-insects-keep-evolving-to-look-like-sticks-why</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Researchers have found that stick insects keep evolving the same 20 body plans, from the "tree lobster'" to the "bark hugger" and the "large-headed stick." ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">iingnETdfVHABemP3VXBMP</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mu8RkJuyq8hkSbkUd4TQ6R-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 24 Dec 2024 18:14:22 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mu8RkJuyq8hkSbkUd4TQ6R-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Mark Newman via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A thorny devil stick insect. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A thorny devil stick insect. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A thorny devil stick insect. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mu8RkJuyq8hkSbkUd4TQ6R-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'Murder hornets' eradicated from US — but officials say they'll keep 'an eye out' for more ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/bees-wasps/murder-hornets-eradicated-from-us-but-officials-say-theyll-keep-an-eye-out-for-more</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Officials say they've eradicated northern giant hornets, nicknamed "murder hornets," after years of tracking the invasive giant wasps in Washington state. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">XAFXD7gVwjvaKEYF36AEzR</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BSvhzjj9vqNshUgzpcMzWZ-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 20 Dec 2024 16:10:28 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:46:23 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BSvhzjj9vqNshUgzpcMzWZ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Washington State Department of Agriculture]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Officials removing a &quot;murder hornet&quot; nest in Washington in 2021. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Officials removing a &quot;murder hornet&quot; nest in Washington in 2021. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Officials removing a &quot;murder hornet&quot; nest in Washington in 2021. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BSvhzjj9vqNshUgzpcMzWZ-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Plastic-eating mealworms native to Africa discovered ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/plastic-eating-mealworms-native-to-africa-discovered</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Larvae of the Kenyan lesser mealworm found to feast on polystyrene then break it down in their guts. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">GZ5dKnU6JhNumGu5fUWKGj</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YuYiRzSQXtSjUYwhEfuvUm-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:49:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 12 Nov 2024 23:58:40 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jacklin Kwan ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YuYiRzSQXtSjUYwhEfuvUm-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[ICIPE]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[Mealworms eating paper.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Mealworms eating paper.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Mealworms eating paper.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YuYiRzSQXtSjUYwhEfuvUm-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Weed, brains and spider eyeballs: 20 jaw-dropping snapshots of the microscopic world around us ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/microbiology/weed-brains-and-spider-eyeballs-20-jaw-dropping-snapshots-of-the-microscopic-world-around-us</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ See the top 20 winning photographs from the 50th Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">exDeiynxGivAXKhHt3axaG</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WJJv53uKWUY5ZakYKS9yZb-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:52:15 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Planet Earth]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ hannah.osborne@futurenet.com (Hannah Osborne) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Hannah Osborne ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WJJv53uKWUY5ZakYKS9yZb-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Chris Romaine/Nikon Small World 2024 ]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A microscopic image of a cannabis plant won third place at the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Leaf of a cannabis plant. The bulbous glands are trichomes. The bubbles inside are cann.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Leaf of a cannabis plant. The bulbous glands are trichomes. The bubbles inside are cann.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WJJv53uKWUY5ZakYKS9yZb-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Watch mesmerizing video of weird waves that 'shape life itself' inside a fly embryo ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/watch-mesmerizing-video-of-weird-waves-that-shape-life-itself-inside-a-fly-embryo</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Video of cell division occurring in a developing fly embryo named winner of the 14th annual Nikon Small World in Motion competition. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">JWJHQZEm2WzTcHnJE25M5N</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jr7qiyefoKHAJVqCuVTGfa-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 17 Sep 2024 16:04:41 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:06:51 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ hannah.osborne@futurenet.com (Hannah Osborne) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Hannah Osborne ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jr7qiyefoKHAJVqCuVTGfa-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Bruno Vellutini]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[A close-up of cells in a fly embryo]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A close-up of cells in a fly embryo]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A close-up of cells in a fly embryo]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jr7qiyefoKHAJVqCuVTGfa-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Parasitic 'horror' wasp that bursts from a fly's abdomen like an 'Alien' xenomorph discovered in Mississippi backyard  ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/bees-wasps/parasitic-horror-wasp-that-bursts-from-a-fly-s-abdomen-like-an-alien-xenomorph-discovered-in-mississippi-backyard</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Scientists accidentally discover new species of wasp that lays eggs inside living, adult fruit flies, which then burst from the hosts' abdomens while they're still alive. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">TGZYfaYPzLxHkvEUvPBoVL</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RCogff3qdyQkpHbgGSKrff-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 13 Sep 2024 10:15:31 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:38:44 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RCogff3qdyQkpHbgGSKrff-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Matthew Ballinger]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The parasitoid wasp larva bursting out of a fruit fly. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Parasitoid wasp larvae bursting out of fruit fly; the larvae almost the same size as the fly&#039;s body.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Parasitoid wasp larvae bursting out of fruit fly; the larvae almost the same size as the fly&#039;s body.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RCogff3qdyQkpHbgGSKrff-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Kamikaze termites blow themselves up with 'explosive' backpacks — and scientists just figured out how ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/kamikaze-termites-blow-themselves-up-with-explosive-rucksacks-and-scientists-just-figured-out-how</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Kamikaze termites in French Guiana carry highly volatile toxic "rucksacks" that are ready to be deployed in an instant, when the termite needs to defend its colony. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">CCd7zFWwVhTmX87Lm2Xohf</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qW9nAUMXFdAgTNuYABetEP-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:07:46 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:06:40 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jacklin Kwan ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qW9nAUMXFdAgTNuYABetEP-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Dr. Aleš Buček]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[a &lt;em&gt;Neocapritermes taracua&lt;/em&gt; termite.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A close-up of a termite with a darkened abdomen]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A close-up of a termite with a darkened abdomen]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qW9nAUMXFdAgTNuYABetEP-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'My jaw just dropped': 500 million-year-old larva fossil found with brain preserved ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/my-jaw-just-dropped-500-million-year-old-larva-fossil-found-with-brain-preserved</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The newly discovered Youti yuanshi larva fossil is so well-preserved that it provides a road map for arthropod evolution during the Cambrian period. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">yczpdeVYu43Z4RtivBWjmh</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mUSADgNwJz3n7tg3GtKEiM-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 31 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:06:15 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mUSADgNwJz3n7tg3GtKEiM-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Yang Jie/Zhang Xiguang ]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[ A scan of the Youti yuanshi larva fossil.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[ A scan of the Youti yuanshi larva fossil.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[ A scan of the Youti yuanshi larva fossil.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mUSADgNwJz3n7tg3GtKEiM-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Panda ant: The wasps whose black and white females have giant stingers and parasitic babies ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/panda-ant-the-wasps-whose-black-and-white-females-have-giant-stingers-and-parasitic-babies</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Panda ants are actually wasps masquerading as an adorable ant, with black and white females possessing stingers half as long as their entire bodies. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">nrbpAqALfMSre83w86QKMk</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vyHYCWrvxHZFe8H3caachN-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jul 2024 12:00:16 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:05:58 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ lydiacarolinesmith@gmail.com (Lydia Smith) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Lydia Smith ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vyHYCWrvxHZFe8H3caachN-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Chris Lukhaup, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Female panda ants tend to be black and white, and wield huge stingers about half the length of their bodies. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Black and white fluffy ant species.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Black and white fluffy ant species.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vyHYCWrvxHZFe8H3caachN-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Ants perform life saving operations — the only animal other than humans known to do so ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/ants-perform-life-saving-operations-the-only-animal-other-than-humans-known-to-do-so</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Florida ants perform amputations and clean wounds to prevent the spread of infection, scientists discover. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">24gHFgGmSraZ8rqy4BcXMR</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WZ2tqyVfNXSmvxiR7JLYWK-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:00:12 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:05:55 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jacklin Kwan ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WZ2tqyVfNXSmvxiR7JLYWK-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Bart Zijlstra]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Florida carpenter ants perform amuptations on nestmates when their legs are injured. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[an ant amutating another ant&#039;s leg on a white background ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[an ant amutating another ant&#039;s leg on a white background ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WZ2tqyVfNXSmvxiR7JLYWK-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Butterflies cross Atlantic ocean on 2,600-mile non-stop flight never recorded in any insect before ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/butterflies/butterflies-cross-atlantic-ocean-on-2600-mile-non-stop-flight-never-recorded-in-any-insect-before</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Painted lady butterflies discovered in French Guiana — thousands of miles from their usual habitats — got there through a Herculean transoceanic flight. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">tDNevwdhnbHdkpjdVxDteN</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ue9vJd9gvT24sDyZwjBPjB-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 26 Jun 2024 15:41:48 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:31:28 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ ben.turner@futurenet.com (Ben Turner) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ben Turner ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ue9vJd9gvT24sDyZwjBPjB-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[J. David Ake/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa Cardui) perching on a flower.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa Cardui) perching on a flower.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A Painted Lady butterfly (Vanessa Cardui) perching on a flower.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ue9vJd9gvT24sDyZwjBPjB-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Scientists discovered the oldest termite mounds on Earth — and they're 34,000 years old ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/scientists-discovered-the-oldest-termite-mount-on-earth-and-its-34000-years-old</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The world's oldest termite mounds have been collecting carbon from the atmosphere for thousands of years. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">NExzMUhrNtybJmFoJKRNTR</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GHe4eqqdDwQ6eNC42LHtrM-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 25 Jun 2024 19:17:44 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:05:51 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kristel Tjandra ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GHe4eqqdDwQ6eNC42LHtrM-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Jannick Niewoudt and Alastair Potts]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Scientists discovered the world&#039;s oldest termite mounds in Namaqualand. The mounds were covered in spring flowers that bloomed in the nutrient-rich soil.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Purple wildflowers growing on termite mounds]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Purple wildflowers growing on termite mounds]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GHe4eqqdDwQ6eNC42LHtrM-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Mutant blue-eyed cicadas discovered outside Chicago during rare double brood event ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/mutant-blue-eyed-cicadas-discovered-outside-chicago-during-rare-double-brood-event</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Most of the periodical cicadas emerging across the eastern U.S. in this year's rare dual emergence event have blood-red eyes, but sightings of blue-eyed variants have recently been reported. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">XTpFjBND4Kj7cqsACUHM77</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qCumFosk5Ya9iu6iWJZB9P-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 29 May 2024 13:24:08 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:05:33 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qCumFosk5Ya9iu6iWJZB9P-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[The Field Museum]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Four-year-old Jack Bailey from Wheaton, Illinois, discovered a blue-eyed cicada in his family&#039;s yard during this year&#039;s dual emergence.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A close-up picture of a blue-eyed cicada and 4-year-old Jack Bailey crouching and holding cicadas.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A close-up picture of a blue-eyed cicada and 4-year-old Jack Bailey crouching and holding cicadas.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qCumFosk5Ya9iu6iWJZB9P-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Double cicada bloom 2024: Google Doodle celebrates once-in-221-year event with band of bugs ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/double-cicada-bloom-2024-google-doodle-celebrates-once-in-221-year-event-with-band-of-bugs</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The "cicada-geddon" is the result of the co-emergence of Brood XIII and Brood XIX, with billions of bugs crawling out of the ground across parts of Eastern U.S. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">T4vxh6eSEb5mxHWTMUKaQK</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/umTHFgd3wX8CiynQAhrzW8-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 29 May 2024 13:07:04 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:05:33 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ hannah.osborne@futurenet.com (Hannah Osborne) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Hannah Osborne ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/umTHFgd3wX8CiynQAhrzW8-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Cicadas from brood XIX on a tree in Angelville, Georgia on May 23, 2024.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[cicadas on a tree with green leaves]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[cicadas on a tree with green leaves]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/umTHFgd3wX8CiynQAhrzW8-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ How do fireflies light up? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/how-do-fireflies-light-up</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Fireflies use a glowing chemical reaction to signal to one another in the dark of dusk and night. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">vuaj5hPofGbJdReuHMaAr</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m5pUHcdJuj5YibB3r6RSCJ-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 27 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:05:31 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Freda Kreier ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m5pUHcdJuj5YibB3r6RSCJ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Trevor Williams via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The firefly&#039;s lantern, or light-producing organ, helps these beetles glow so they can repel predators and communicate during courtship.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A long-exposure shot of specks of light from fireflies in the forest]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A long-exposure shot of specks of light from fireflies in the forest]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m5pUHcdJuj5YibB3r6RSCJ-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Cicada double brood event: What to expect as trillions of bugs emerge in Eastern US ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/cicada-double-brood-event-what-to-expect-when-trillions-of-bugs-emerge-in-eastern-us</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ When and where will the double cicada brood emerge? Here's what to expect from this rare phenomenon, which occurs only once every 221 years. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">8uBRpxbdpjURT7HSGSdfM6</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WmyBHE4p28PSRu3KN3SBk3-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 2024 12:00:15 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:04:51 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Carys Matthews ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WmyBHE4p28PSRu3KN3SBk3-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Chip Somodevilla / Staff via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Once hatched, the immature periodical cicadas, known as nymphs, live off tree root sap underground before emerging in adulthood to mate.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A periodical cicada, a member of Brood X, hangs upside down after emerging from its shell.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A periodical cicada, a member of Brood X, hangs upside down after emerging from its shell.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WmyBHE4p28PSRu3KN3SBk3-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Giant 'toe biter' water bugs discovered in Cyprus for the 1st time ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/giant-toe-biter-water-bugs-discovered-in-cyprus-for-the-1st-time</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Scientists believe toe-biting giant water bugs have arrived in Cyprus from the mainland, but they're not sure why or how. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">XRZGJZXNLsoMFnHXCCnj4T</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zDZKJVQQ3ncJrTwzdNnHM-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Mar 2024 14:41:15 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:04:50 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zDZKJVQQ3ncJrTwzdNnHM-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[ViniSouza128 via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A giant water bug,]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Adult giant water bug.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Adult giant water bug.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zDZKJVQQ3ncJrTwzdNnHM-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Watch bizarre video of termites trapped in 'death spiral'  ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/watch-bizarre-video-of-termites-trapped-in-death-spiral</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Footage shows termites trapped inside a fungus in a death spiral, where they march until they die from exhaustion. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">CYTugRAzpZjjUAME5BgYkJ</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h2hxwHdAwyZ75ghcN7hDgm-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:51:02 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:04:46 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ lydiacarolinesmith@gmail.com (Lydia Smith) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Lydia Smith ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h2hxwHdAwyZ75ghcN7hDgm-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Simon Jeffery]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[termites inside a fungus in a death spiral]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[termites inside a fungus in a death spiral]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[termites inside a fungus in a death spiral]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h2hxwHdAwyZ75ghcN7hDgm-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Hummingbird hawk-moth: The bird-like insect with a giant sucking mouthpart ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/moths/hummingbird-hawk-moth-the-bird-like-insect-with-a-giant-sucking-mouthpart</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Just as humans rely on their eyes to make precise movements with their hands, hummingbird hawk-moths use continuous visual feedback to precisely position their proboscis in the center of flowers. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">cS5FTQHS9nPtpb4xPGVhqJ</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tv4GnBaNMvqtmKTLTaNhEi-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 16 Mar 2024 12:00:49 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:50:16 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Rohini Subrahmanyam ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tv4GnBaNMvqtmKTLTaNhEi-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Daniel Dunca/Shutterstock]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[This fascinating creature looks like a hummingbird, but it&#039;s actually a moth.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A Hummingbird hawkmoth captured midflight feeding on a purple flower with its long proboscis.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A Hummingbird hawkmoth captured midflight feeding on a purple flower with its long proboscis.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tv4GnBaNMvqtmKTLTaNhEi-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ How do insects know which flowers have pollen? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/how-do-insects-know-which-flowers-have-pollen</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Flowers use a variety of strategies to inform pollinating insects about their pollen reserves, including color, smell and even electrical changes. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">PchMxkpoNKnFBSFoBdRpJR</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8chxXQCcMfFPpBYVdziEeX-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 12 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:04:18 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Alice Sun ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8chxXQCcMfFPpBYVdziEeX-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Andrew Graham via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Bees prefer the color blue, which may explain why they visit some flowers over others.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Bumble bee landing on bluebell to gather pollen.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Bumble bee landing on bluebell to gather pollen.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8chxXQCcMfFPpBYVdziEeX-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ A trillion cicadas will descend on the US this spring in rare event that could leave unforgettable stench ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/a-trillion-cicadas-will-descend-on-the-us-this-spring-in-rare-event-that-could-leave-unforgettable-stench</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Periodical cicadas belonging to two separate broods, Brood XIII and Brood XIX, will emerge together in a dual emergence event that will see a trillion cicadas buzzing across 16 U.S. states. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">Hik8y7K4ccujbGd4GkVSac</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PKuUrAHbKq3EadeTMzwGZb-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2024 11:56:41 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:04:14 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PKuUrAHbKq3EadeTMzwGZb-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Don Cornett via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A Brood X periodical cicada. There are 12 known broods of 17-year cicadas and three broods of 13-year cicadas.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[The face of a Brood X periodical cicada.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[The face of a Brood X periodical cicada.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PKuUrAHbKq3EadeTMzwGZb-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Camouflaged animals are hiding in every one of these photos — can you spot them all? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/camouflaged-animals-are-hiding-in-every-one-of-these-photos-can-you-spot-them-all</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Find the perfectly camouflaged animals in all of these photos. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">rgL8hYXKQaRgXWe6JG2TSd</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WegA3UHtXAiCJy2oLX4oBM-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:35:02 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:04:01 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ elise.poore@futurenet.com (Elise Poore) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Elise Poore ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WegA3UHtXAiCJy2oLX4oBM-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Daniel A. Leifheit/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The common pauraque is a type of nightjar that blends seamlessly into its forest floor surroundings.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A common pauraque rests camouflaged on the forest floor in south Texas.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A common pauraque rests camouflaged on the forest floor in south Texas.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WegA3UHtXAiCJy2oLX4oBM-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Watch 5,000 fire ants create raft with their bodies to save colony and queen from death by swimming pool ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/ants/watch-5000-fire-ants-create-raft-with-their-bodies-to-save-colony-and-queen-from-death-by-swimming-pool</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Video footage from a new series captures thousands of ants building a living-raft to save the colony from drowning in a swimming pool. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">MpAH97PHeHN2FQpuELA4SY</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QzFqC73ZAJKGoyy6UZbTV-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 20 Jan 2024 14:00:02 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:34:40 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ elise.poore@futurenet.com (Elise Poore) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Elise Poore ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QzFqC73ZAJKGoyy6UZbTV-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[National Geographic/Disney+/A Real Bug&#039;s Life]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The floating raft of fire ants in a Texas swimming pool. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a floating raft of fire ants in a swimming pool]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a floating raft of fire ants in a swimming pool]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QzFqC73ZAJKGoyy6UZbTV-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ A bizarre 'snake worm' has baffled scientists for over a decade, now they know what it is ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/a-bizarre-snake-worm-has-baffled-scientists-for-over-a-decade-now-they-know-what-it-is</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A newfound species of fungus gnat is behind Alaska's "snake worm" mystery, in which thousands of fly larvae moved together in the shape of a snake. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">W2JnVJWMZMmgV36nKzcHoS</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4CYa5h96fcgm6uSGryW5MQ-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jan 2024 12:02:01 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:04:00 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4CYa5h96fcgm6uSGryW5MQ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Derek Sikes]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Snake worm gnat larvae crossing a road in Fairbanks, Alaska.  ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Snake worm gnat larvae in a long line on top of dirt.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Snake worm gnat larvae in a long line on top of dirt.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4CYa5h96fcgm6uSGryW5MQ-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ American burying beetle: The meat-eating insect that buries bodies for its babies to feast on ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/beetles/american-burying-beetle-the-meat-eating-insect-that-buries-bodies-for-its-babies-to-feast-on</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ American burying beetle parents work together to find and bury a dead animal that its brood can consume after hatching. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">rzm7ReFPbWVHytnG4qRWr9</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yNsyuJrtfkXbVjVG6RdBsR-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jan 2024 13:00:39 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:28:12 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Megan Shersby ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yNsyuJrtfkXbVjVG6RdBsR-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Chicago Tribune/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[an american burying beetle close up face on]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[an american burying beetle close up face on]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[an american burying beetle close up face on]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yNsyuJrtfkXbVjVG6RdBsR-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ More than 1,000 species live in and around an ordinary suburban house, survey in Australia shows. ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/moths/more-than-1000-species-live-in-and-around-an-ordinary-suburban-house-survey-in-australia-shows</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A house in Australia harbored more than 400 moths and butterflies, and hundreds of other species, including ones never documented before. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">TvxFpZ2GZVLWUocKhra5j3</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sLT729uyEFYTBXxqpaPBFa-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 09 Dec 2023 13:00:53 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:39:12 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Matthew H. Holden ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sLT729uyEFYTBXxqpaPBFa-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Matthew Holden,  (CC-BY)]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[Dot-underwing moth (Eudocima materna) found in the researchers&#039; yard.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Dot-underwing moth (Eudocima materna) found in the researchers&#039; yard.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Dot-underwing moth (Eudocima materna) found in the researchers&#039; yard.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sLT729uyEFYTBXxqpaPBFa-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Watch ancient, giant millipede the size of a car brought back to life in remarkable reconstruction ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/watch-ancient-giant-millipede-the-size-of-a-car-brought-back-to-life-in-remarkable-reconstruction</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The massive, extinct millipede Arthropleura has been brought back to life in a stunning reconstruction for the Netflix series "Life on Our Planet." ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">zXbT2Gs3rpm6nLdajqeD6g</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dgV2pgcepxgYRZuVHvSC6d-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 02 Dec 2023 15:00:13 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:03:29 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ hannah.osborne@futurenet.com (Hannah Osborne) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Hannah Osborne ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dgV2pgcepxgYRZuVHvSC6d-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Netflix/YouTube]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Reconstruction of ancient giant millipede from Netflix&#039;s &quot;Life on Our Planet.&quot;]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Reconstruction of ancient giant millipede from Netflix&#039;s &quot;Life on Our Planet.&quot;]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Reconstruction of ancient giant millipede from Netflix&#039;s &quot;Life on Our Planet.&quot;]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dgV2pgcepxgYRZuVHvSC6d-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Hercules beetle: The titan insect with giant horns for love and war  ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/hercules-beetle-the-titan-insect-with-giant-horns-for-love-and-war</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Hercules beetles can grow to almost 7 inches long and are among the largest flying insects on Earth. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">3nPZzpzmDWNm3ZJzcZS3ik</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/McJ8NGZCZGungEfHMqdC7k-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 25 Nov 2023 13:00:05 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:03:23 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Megan Shersby ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/McJ8NGZCZGungEfHMqdC7k-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Jonathan Austin Daniels via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Male Hercules beetles have giant horns for fighting over females. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Side view of a Hercules beetle showing off its two long horns as it sits perched on a wooden stumb]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Side view of a Hercules beetle showing off its two long horns as it sits perched on a wooden stumb]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/McJ8NGZCZGungEfHMqdC7k-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Gum leaf skeletonizer: The venomous 'Mad Hatterpillar' that wears its old heads like a crown ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/moths/gum-leaf-skeletonizer-the-venomous-mad-hatterpillar-that-wears-its-old-heads-like-a-crown</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Rather than throw its old head cases away, the gum leaf skeletonizer wears them like a hat to protect itself from predators. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">ZiaRMXRYLozj4o8r3VuWN</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F2gVt7NMG6o5SLUua4N3u4-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 11 Nov 2023 13:00:09 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:48:17 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Megan Shersby ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F2gVt7NMG6o5SLUua4N3u4-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The larvae of the gum leaf skeletonizer wears its old head shells as a hat.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Mad Hatterpillar, larva wearing head capsules from each previous moult. Gregarious and destructive larval stage, a leaf-skeletoniser on eucalypts.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Mad Hatterpillar, larva wearing head capsules from each previous moult. Gregarious and destructive larval stage, a leaf-skeletoniser on eucalypts.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F2gVt7NMG6o5SLUua4N3u4-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Caterpillars evolved their weird chubby little 'prolegs' from ancient crustaceans ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/moths/caterpillars-evolved-their-weird-chubby-little-prolegs-from-ancient-crustaceans</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The extra legs caterpillars have appear have origins in the primitive crustaceans that insects evolved from during the Ordovician period over 400 million years ago. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">xWdpDVmgR3ommJaVr29qZd</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jhVpZ596HMj8AXeny8ZrMA-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 10:00:22 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:36:06 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Richard Pallardy ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jhVpZ596HMj8AXeny8ZrMA-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Javier Millán Photography/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[Caterpillar of Papilio machaon butterfly with orange and black spots]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Caterpillar of Papilio machaon butterfly with orange and black spots]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Caterpillar of Papilio machaon butterfly with orange and black spots]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jhVpZ596HMj8AXeny8ZrMA-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Soldier ants turned into foragers by scientists reprogramming their brains ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/ants/soldier-ants-turned-into-foragers-by-scientists-reprogramming-their-brains</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Scientists discovered an enzyme within the ant "blood-brain barrier" that helps control whether an ant ends up a soldier or a forager. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">vqXT5pF4G4gzoavjiM95Ti</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nGpmLqb5XZz7dv7FRsQee6-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 13 Oct 2023 16:26:10 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:33:46 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ snehakhedkar30@gmail.com (Sneha Khedkar) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sneha Khedkar ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nGpmLqb5XZz7dv7FRsQee6-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Zen Rial via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[An enzyme dictates whether a specific hormone reaches a worker ant&#039;s brain and turns it into a forager.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A red carpenter ant stretches to climb across bright green leaves.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A red carpenter ant stretches to climb across bright green leaves.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nGpmLqb5XZz7dv7FRsQee6-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
            </channel>
</rss>