More than half of all known animal species on Earth are insects — critters with a hard external skeleton, three pairs of jointed legs, antennae and a body divided into three segments (the head, thorax ...

When I was little, I loved chasing butterflies. It’s fun to run after them as they flit and flutter. But I didn’t eat them. I asked my friend Rich Zack if that was an oversight. He’s an insect ...

Researchers analyze the movement of the six-legged stick insect. Each of the stick insect's six legs is moved mainly by three joints. These joints are connected to the insect's body in an L-shaped ...

In 250 million years of insect evolution, the appearance of new wings is unprecedented. Transformations and losses of wings, yes, but additions, never. A research team in France has shattered this ...

In this activity, students will familiarize themselves with the distinguishing physical characteristics of an insect’s anatomy. Students will observe and maintain live crickets to learn the function ...

Treehoppers are a group of insects distinguished by their impressive head ornamentation -- called a "helmet" -- which often stretches back along the length of their body. The helmets come in a wide ...

John E. Woodmansee Photo: Tobacco hornworm on a tomato plant that has been attacked by a parasitic Braconid wasp. The white capsules on its back are the pupal stage of the tiny wasp. Braconid larvae ...

Many animals can be adequately described by their namesake. The name Trans-Pecos Ratsnake tells one where that species can be observed. The name Eastern Bluebird tells one the color of the bird. The ...

There are about 2,500 kinds of spiders on the North American continent north of Mexico, and thank goodness. Without spiders, we'd be overrun with insects. It is estimated that each year the world's ...