Insects & Invertebrates
Do butterflies sleep?
It might be something that many of us have never considered before, but do butterflies sleep? Well, Stuart Blackman, says, that depends on what you mean by 'sleep'
Meet the world's largest, deadliest bug that can suck the life out of fish many times its size - effectively turning its prey into one giant protein smoothie
All you need to know about the deadly giant water bug that attacks anything that moves - even humans, hence its nickname 'toe-biter'.
When arachnologists visited an old atomic bomb research site in England, they couldn't believe what they found
The British Arachnological Society recorded a remarkable 55 species of spiders among the abandoned buildings. But that wasn't all they discovered...
What dangles from its rear end needs some explaining. Why the Australian horror moth deserves its name
When it comes to wooing a female, size matters for this colourful moth
Do some people suffer more bug bites than others?
Why do some people suffer more insect bites than others? Stuart Blackman exoplains
Massive leeches are being grown in the middle of London. Here's why
Scientists hope to release the huge blood suckers into the UK countryside.
Did you know there's an animal called Donald Trump? All thanks to a tuft of scales...
How a resemblance to the presidential candidate inspired the name for an unknown moth species in the USA.
Do insects have blood?
Insects don't have blood or haemoglobin like vertebrates do - so how does gas exchange occur, and what is the purpose of haemolymph?
The UK's best dads and mums in the animal kingdom
The RSPB takes a look at some of the best animal parents in the UK who deserve a medal for their efforts.
10 biggest spiders in the world: meet enormous arachnids as big as dinner plates
Meet the ten largest spiders in the world - you wouldn't want to see these scuttling across your carpet!
22 notorious thieves found hiding in Pennsylvania. But it's not what you think
For a while, the thieves had experts stumped, until a series of scientific experiments gave them away...
Something amazing is happening on the side of this sleeping volcano – just 50 miles from Mexico City
Scientists are have come up with a plan that could help prevent one of the world's greatest migrations from collapsing.
What's the difference between slugs and snails - and why does the shell matter?
Is a slug just a snail without a shell?
Octopuses have been seen throwing things at each other. Here's why
Australia's gloomy octopuses need their personal space and they have a unique way of making sure they get it
Ant queens eat their own babies then recycle them to make new ones. Here's why
It may sound harsh, but it’s for the good of the colony.
How does a caterpillar turn into a butterfly? A guide to nature’s greatest transformation
The metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly is miraculous, but how does the process actually work, and what happens inside that pupa?
Prehistoric insects were absolutely massive. An entomologist explains why they needed to be so darn big
Richard Jones explains just why prehistoric insects were so large...
11 weirdest insects in the world - including a moth that looks like a like a poodle and a fly with eyes on stalks
The insect world is definitely a weird one - and there are some that are even weirder than the others. Discover some of the world's strangest and bizarrest insects
Tarantulas may have a fearsome reputation, but these fascinating facts show them in a new light
What are tarantulas? Why are these spiders so feared? Danniella Sherwood from the Natural History Museum explains all you need to know about tarantulas
Do insects have brains?
Wondering if insects have brains? Richard Jones explains
Discover the glittering rock 'n' roll Elvis worms, who have a penchant for fighting and getting 'all shook up'
Meet the Elvis worm, a deep-sea creature with iridescent scales, dazzles with its shimmering armour
10 deadliest insects: Discover the world's most dangerous insects to humans
Small but deadly! From disease spreaders to stingers to voracious swarms, read all about the world’s most deadly and dangerous insects.
What is a pigbutt worm? It's a worm that looks just like its name suggests for starters...
Meet the pigbutt worm - that looks just like it sounds. Never has a name been so apt...
Cannibal animals: 11 creatures that eat their own species - there may be some surprises...
It may seem gruesome, but many animals have been recorded feeding on their own species. Here are 11 cannibalistic animals, including some that might surprise you.