Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Bugs”
Bugs posts are all about the endless and alien world of terrestrial invertebrates. This micro-wildlife includes insects, arachnids like spiders and scorpions, snails and slugs, centipedes, and more.
Whether we find them intimidating or intriguing, people can’t deny some interest in spiders. They’re a part of our lives whether we like it or not, and play a critical role as insect predators in many ecosystems. Beyond that, spiders can be a homeowners’ or gardeners’ best friend for their ability to control potentially harmful insect pests. As someone who …
Controlling pests in your garden or yard can be challenging. Chemical treatments to eliminate critters like grubs or aphids can be harmful to pets and children, and tend to be expensive, requiring repeat applications. Planting flowers or herbs that repel some pests can be somewhat effective, but not always reliable. However, there’s another great option for garden pest management that …
Warmer months anywhere in the world tend to bring out bug of many shapes and sizes. Even if you find them creepy, there’s something impressive about the seemingly endless variety of insects and other invertebrate critters that appear in Spring and Summer. Early each Spring I tend to get a lot of questions from concerned readers and friends about “giant …
Have you been eating wasp-filled figs? Check out this post for the fascinating science behind one of my favorite weird nature facts.
Bees are a common sight around homes and gardens, in meadow habitats, and just about anywhere with abundant flowers. Yet if you read the news, or notice any number of bumper stickers proclaiming that we should “save the bees”, you might get the sense that there may be trouble in the bee world. Farmers, scientists, and conservation organizations have shown …
While December is often a time of chilly temperatures and dormant nature in the Northern hemisphere, it can be the heat of summer down under. In Australia, the years-end holidays are a much more exciting time for naturalists, with insects and migratory birds on the scene. While insects in Europe, Asia, and North America are hidden away from the cold, …
All living things need to accomplish two things to keep the natural world running: (1) they need to survive, and (2) they need to reproduce. There are lots of amazing and bizarre examples of adaptations to solve the first problem. For example, camouflage and aposematic coloration help some animals stay hidden or advertise powerful defenses. However, wildlife also address the …
Invertebrates like spiders, insects, centipedes, and worms are some of the most abundant and diverse living things on Earth. While many people might find them hard to love, these “creepy-crawlies” help keep our planets ecosystems ticking, making life possible for all of us. Whether you appreciate that or not, running into invertebrates—let’s just call them bugs—is a common way that …
