insects

The annual Inktober drawing challenge has reached its fifth day, with artists worldwide sharing ink illustrations based on the official prompt 'smack'. Participants are posting their interpretations online, ranging from comic-style slap scenes to insect swarms and experimental lettering, as the month-long creative event continues to draw both amateur and professional illustrators.

A close-up photograph of a bumblebee on an aster is circulating among nature and gardening enthusiasts. The image highlights pollinators at work on autumn-blooming flowers, drawing appreciation from people interested in bees, entomology, ecology and backyard gardening.

A Thai-language tech item is drawing wide attention after discussing how the complete wiring diagram, or connectome, of the fruit fly brain has been made openly available, framed as 'open-sourcing' an insect's mind. The mapping of the fruit fly brain is considered a landmark in neuroscience, giving researchers worldwide free access to data on tens of millions of neural connections, and the presentation has sparked lively discussion in Thai tech and science communities.

Large swarms of bogong moths have appeared across New South Wales, surprising residents who have reported the insects arriving in big numbers. Conservationists and locals are 'thrilled', with scientists suggesting the swarms could be a sign the species is recovering after steep declines in recent years.

A nature photographer has shared a close-up shot of a common carder bee (Bombus pascuorum) perched on a bright violet cranesbill flower, posted as part of the recurring 'Insect Saturday' tradition in which hobbyists share insect photographs each weekend. The image is being shared warmly, with well-wishes for a relaxed Saturday accompanying the picture.

A photographer shared a close-up portrait of a tiny mantis sunning itself on a hot morning, noting the insect was smaller than a pinkie and stayed still long enough for the shot. The picture was taken with a Vivo X300 Pro on standard auto settings with no edits, and is being shared for its sharp detail and bokeh.

Researchers in California have identified odors that repel honeybees from pesticide-treated areas, offering a possible way to protect pollinators from chemical exposure. The findings are being shared in science and agriculture circles as a hopeful step for bee conservation, with commenters highlighting the potential benefits for farming and insect populations.

Italian nature writer Jacopo Ranieri has published a blog post about a cryptic grasshopper species whose body mimics a twig so convincingly it can hang motionless on a pin like a small sphere. The piece explores mimicry and crypsis in orthopterans, describing these nocturnal, solitary, plant-eating insects and their adaptations for blending into forests and trees.

Researchers have reverse-engineered insect smell receptors to identify the sex pheromones of moths, according to a report by Bioengineer.org. By decoding how these olfactory receptors detect chemical signals, scientists can pinpoint the exact compounds moths use to attract mates. The work could lead to new pest-control methods that disrupt moth mating without pesticides, and highlights how receptor engineering is advancing the study of chemical communication in insects.

An Irish bee expert is sharing daily bee facts, explaining that bees have neither lungs nor a nose. Instead, air enters their bodies through small external openings called spiracles, which run along the body. A simple gas exchange system then delivers oxygen to internal tissues and expels carbon dioxide, allowing the insects to breathe without the respiratory organs found in mammals.

A striking photo of the black-and-red froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata) is being shared in nature and biology circles. The insect's bold patterning is aposematic: it warns predators such as birds that the froghopper secretes a bitter, foul-tasting fluid, making it an unappealing meal.

A gardener in the San Francisco Bay Area shared that they came across a welcome visitor while weeding and stopped work so as not to disturb her. The lighthearted wildlife encounter, tagged with gardening, insects and nature, has drawn warm engagement from people who enjoy similar small moments in the garden.

Wildlife photography of insects in vivid color and close-up detail is being shared and liked by nature enthusiasts online. The images highlight insects as a popular subject among photographers and NatureLovers communities, with viewers responding positively to the detailed macro shots of colorful wildlife.

A tract of former farmland is set to be restored as habitat to support wildlife, turning agricultural land back into a natural environment. Restoration projects like this typically aim to rebuild soil health, encourage native plants and attract birds, insects and other species. People are sharing the story as interest grows in rewilding and nature recovery schemes on land no longer used for farming.

Students at Michigan State University have planted a pollinator garden near Giltner Hall on the East Lansing campus. The project adds habitat for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects while giving students hands-on experience with sustainable landscaping. Campus coverage has highlighted the effort as part of broader student interest in environmental initiatives and green spaces at the university.

A wildlife photographer spent time outdoors hoping to photograph a swallowtail butterfly and came away with a decent shot, but says the real highlight of the day was a small gray bee, with a crab spider as a bonus find. The macro insect images have been shared with nature and photography enthusiasts, who appreciate the unexpected encounters that come with patience in wildlife photography.

An artist shared a small preview of a finished piece drawn today, saying they cannot wait to reveal the full page. The work appears to be a traditional illustration featuring insects and plants, and early viewers are responding positively while waiting for the complete artwork to be posted.

Scientists have described a new beetle species, Micraspis filapicis, from China, published in the journal Zootaxa. The finding is being shared among open-science and biodiversity communities, with the species' taxonomic treatment made freely accessible through Plazi and linked FAIR data resources. It is the latest in a steady stream of newly catalogued insect species announcements.

Le Monde reports on an expedition into the Borneo jungle searching for undiscovered insect species. A researcher involved says 'I think I've found something incredible', suggesting potentially significant entomological discoveries in one of the world's most biodiverse rainforests. The story highlights ongoing efforts to document little-known tropical insect life before habitat loss erases it.

Children's music channel Bang Bang Monkey has released a new song called 'Mosquito Go Away', part of a summer-themed collection about bugs and insects for young children. The song, aimed at kids and families, is drawing heavy engagement this season as parents look for lighthearted summer content. It joins a wave of insect-themed nursery songs popular during warmer months.

New Zealand's heaviest insect, the giant weta, is being reported as a conservation success story, with protection efforts credited for improving the outlook of the threatened species. The story highlights ongoing work to safeguard native invertebrates on the country's islands and reserves, where predators have long driven declines. Readers are discussing the recovery as a rare bright spot for endangered insect populations worldwide.