Tsukuba, Japan—Some beetles, such as Anomala albopilosa, strongly reflect left circularly polarized light (electromagnetic waves that oscillate leftward relative to the direction of light reception).

A team of biologists has discovered the structure and genetic sequence of the hormone that makes insects develop their hard outer shells and allows them to spread their wings. The findings answer more ...

The diabolical ironclad beetle is so tough that engineers are hoping to copy features of its exoskeleton to design stronger and more robust structures. “You can run these things over with a car and ...

An observation of an insect exoskeleton on a potted plant may lead to the identification of a new species of cicada. The 17-year cicadas emerging dramatically by the billions in 15 U.S. states from ...

(Beyond Pesticides, June 14, 2023) The exoskeleton of the black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetica illucens) has the potential to be an effective organic fertilizer. A study in the journal Agriculture, ...

The study of elastic energy storage and power output in insects has yielded remarkable insights into how these small organisms achieve rapid, high-performance movements. In many insects, specialised ...

Sightings of Brood X cicadas are popping up all over the eastern U.S. Reports of the bulbous-eyed bugs—including plenty of photos and videos—are starting to spill into social media. These insects are ...

Insects are extremely fascinating creatures. Stick bugs are among the most interesting, given their amazing camouflage and appearance. Like other insects, stick bugs also change skin, or molt, as they ...

Almost all living primates still have working versions of the gene needed to produce a stomach enzyme that breaks down exoskeletons. This means that the 'yuck' factor when it comes to eating insects ...