Biological control strategies curb pests using other species that attack the invader. A biologist explains why it can take more than a decade to develop an effective biological control program.
Inserting electrodes into insects helps scientists understand what attracts these insects – and, stemming from that, how to trap them and protect crops.
The caterpillar, Lymantria dispar, has eaten through 17,000 square kilometres of trees since the 1980s. The invasive insect was imported in the 1880s to launch a North American silk industry.
Baobab flowers have male and female parts but individual trees appear to be favouring one rather than the other. To keep tree populations healthy and fruitful, both types are needed.
Fireflies’ summer evening light shows are a delight for humans, but for the insects they are a crucial mating ritual – and human-caused light pollution is a buzz kill.
Planting a garden for winter-active insects is a wonderful way to support local biodiversity. Your garden will thrive with the free pollination and pest control services the insects provide.
Two billion people already eat ‘prawns of the land’, so why don’t many Australians? A new CSIRO industry roadmap on edible insects explains why we should bring bugs into mainstream diets.