Widespread use of chemicals that can harm wildlife means French state has failed to protect the country’s flora and fauna, say NGOSThe French government is being threatened with court action by two NGOs who accuse it of failing to meet its obligations …
10 quick questions: how much do you know about bees?
It’s the first weekend of spring in Australia – and while some of us can’t leave our hives, let’s pay tribute to those who canNew to Guardian Australia’s Saturday quiz series? Catch up hereOh look, it’s spring! The days are getting longer, the evenings…
Young country diary: welcome to the world of mini-beasts!
Cambridgeshire: At normal size I can see a beetle below, but what if I am beetle-sized?Imagine you are shrinking, becoming so small that the grass towers over you. Welcome to the territory … of mini-beasts! Wandering down my garden, I feel the summer s…
Young country diary: what’s up with the ladybird?
West Essex: I spot a ladybird in the bush in our garden. But wait! there’s something strange about itIt’s a mild, sunny day and I’m helping in the garden – which means keeping everyone company and chatting away, like the pretty robin that always comes …
Campaign calls for UK ban on pesticides in gardens and urban areas
Leading expert says outlawing use of chemicals in private and public areas could slow insect decline and protect human healthA leading insect expert has called for a UK-wide ban on the use of pesticides in gardens and urban areas to protect bees, wildl…
Meet the crossword setter, plant scientist Soup: ‘A successful clue needs pith and, ideally, humour’
The latest in our series where we turn the tables on the torturers. Under the spotlight this time is the insect pollination expert Hamish Symington, AKA SoupThe Guardian’s newest cryptic setter, Soup, has been setting puzzles in this paper’s extraordin…
How climate crisis made my British butterfly hunt a race against time
The naturalist Stephen Moss finally achieved his aim to see all 61 of the UK’s butterfly species. But those that thrive on the margins could vanish as temperatures riseIt was a long walk up the steep, rocky path, on an unexpectedly warm day – but well…
One man dead after hundreds of stings from Arizona bee swarm
Two people required hospital treatment after being stungLarge open hive thought to weigh 100lb found nearbyOne man died and two people required hospital treatment after they were stung “hundreds of times” by swarming bees near Tucson, Arizona this week…
Evolutionary chaos as butterflies, wasps, and viruses have a three-way war
The evolutionary pressures result in some pretty complicated host interactions.
Genetic engineering test with mosquitoes ‘may be game changer’ in eliminating malaria
UK scientist says gene-drive study rendering female insects infertile may lead to ‘self destruct mosquito’ field tests within 10 yearsScientists have successfully wiped out a population of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes by using a radical form of gene…