Bees suffering a 'significant reduction' in pollination ability due to air pollution, study finds
Data on 40 different insect species across 19 countries points towards pollinators and beneficial predator species experiencing an almost 40 per cent drop in productivity.
Varroa destructor mites have infested honey bee hives across NSW. No state wants to be next
The honey bee-killing parasite has spread across New South Wales. Now, other states and territories are potentially in the firing line.
Health alert issued after mosquito-borne virus kills two people in northern Western Australia
Residents and tourists are urged to take precautions after two people died after contracting Murray Valley Encephalitis in WA's Pilbara.
Food scraps make up about a third of general waste bins. City of Sydney hopes maggots can help reduce this
A 12-month trial using Goterra's black soldier fly larvae system will begin with hopes it can be extended to all Sydney residents.
In Canberra 30 years ago you couldn't eat outdoors without being swarmed by flies — the answer was dung beetles
The ACT government is encouraging farmers to use dung beetles to recycle the nutrients in cow dung into their pastures, with experts saying they improve soil quality and reduce fly numbers — and are cheaper than fertiliser.
In Italy's Alps, scientists turn to tropical butterflies to solve biodiversity crisis
Butterflies are flying free in a picturesque forest recently created in the Italian Alps to help with biodiversity research.
In this outback town, a plague of flies has a silver lining
An "absolutely shocking" number of bush flies has caught both locals and visitors to the Gascoyne off guard, with a hot summer followed by a mild autumn blamed for the outbreak.
How to spot a native bee and what to do to help bolster populations. Here's what you need to know
Flowers, honey and plenty of produce: bees play a vital role in nature's ecosystem, and without them, we wouldn't have any of these things.
Researchers apply computer science to protect bees
World Bee Day celebrates and raises awareness of bees and those who work with them like Alan Dorin, Head of the Native Bee and Tech facility at Monash University.
Spider venom to be tested in the fight against plague locusts
A University of the Sunshine Coast researcher working with the world's "largest arachnid venom collection" is aiming to invent a honey-bee-friendly bio-insecticide for farmers battling swarms of hungry locusts.
Crickets and cabernet, anyone? Winery launches edible insect wine tasting
A South Australian winery is turning the tables on wine tastings by pairing gourmet crunchy critters with cabernet to celebrate its focus on sustainability.
Why are there so many caterpillars this year — and can you keep them at bay?
Persistent rain has created some of the most impressive poinciana blooms in recent years, but it's also led to ideal breeding conditions for some caterpillars.
Could native bees be driven to extinction while scientists' eyes are elsewhere?
While there is no shortage of research on European honey bees and the various threats to their survival, experts fear a paucity of data on native species means they are quietly dying out.
'Villainous appearance' spurs researcher to name ant species after Harry Potter antagonist
The ants with slender, ghostly bodies now bear the name of Voldemort, the iconic villain, after being discovered recently in Western Australia's Pilbara region.
Ladybirds 'ferocious as a shark' used to target invasive insect pest
There are some things that are cute to us like ladybirds — but not if you're a tomato potato psyllid, a wasp-like pest that can halve crop yields.
Ant breeding business sees boom thanks to social media trend
Ant breeder Paul Hailes discusses how social media is booming the business as he breeds and exports ants around the world.
Punk beetle's chance discovery was almost disregarded as bird droppings
Researchers investigating the discovery of the spiky-haired specimen say nothing of its kind has been seen in Australia before.
By land and by air, baiting program combats fire ant incursion in northern New South Wales
Helicopters are being used in northern New South Wales as part of a $600 million program to stamp out red imported fire ants, after nests were detected south of the Queensland border late last year.
This endangered butterfly is a fussy eater, so a nursery is helping grow its food
A Victorian plant nursery is growing a native shrub to help expand the habitat of the golden-rayed blue butterfly, found exclusively in western Victoria.
Which animal is the ultimate minimalist? These creatures truly embrace the 'less is more' life
Natural selection is very good at shedding superfluous traits, but in an evolutionary decluttering that would make Marie Kondo proud, some species have taken it to the extreme.
How this bee parasite could devastate Queensland's honey and organic crop industry
A varroa mite has been detected in Brisbane. So how do we detect and contain it?
Do we really eat spiders in our sleep? This scientist busts five common arachnid myths
Animal behaviouralist James O'Hanlon is debunking five long-held myths about spiders and is sharing his own skin-crawling encounter in the process.
NSW farmers urging for eradication body to control fire ants
An inquiry has heard eradication of insects is possible in Australia, but warned it would come at a huge expense, as farmer urge for the control of fire ants.
Rare moths among citizen scientist's 15k nature observations
Citizen scientist Dion Maple has a special interest in moths. His favourite is the crayon emerald but it's another rare species that is proving tantalisingly elusive. He unwittingly photographed it years ago and hasn't been able to find it since.
Why the quoll got its spots and other animal camouflage questions answered
When it comes to blending in, there's a lot we can learn from the animal kingdom. And while the reasons for camouflage vary, they all come back to survival.