Insect migration: the hidden superhighway of the Pyrenees
Insects, while frequently disregarded, are critical to the planet's ecosystems. They make up about 90 percent of all animal species and play important functions in both ocean and land ecosystems. Without them, life on Earth could be severely disrupted. New research from the University of Exeter has Read More...
The mysterious intelligence of butterflies
In the vast field of cognitive science, insects are frequently pushed to the periphery, judged to be too tiny and seemingly simplistic to possess significant intelligence. However, new research undermines this view, shedding light on butterflies' amazing cognitive capacities. The University of Read More...
The surprising human-like intelligence of the humble bee
In the wonderful world of bumblebees, a stunning discovery calls into question the idea that intelligence is entirely determined by brain size. These tiny insects, with brains the size of a seed, have astounded scientists by exhibiting a degree of collective intelligence previously thought to be Read More...
Embrace the buzz by attracting beneficial bugs to your garden
There's more to a successful garden than just the plants you pick out; it's also about the beneficial bugs that call it home. These modest beings are critical to the health and balance of your garden environment. They are nature's allies, from pollinators to pest predators. Your garden may become Read More...
The case for growing nectar-rich plants in your garden this spring
The nectar created by flowering plants is a significant food source for many of the critters we share our environment with. Those of us who want to attract wildlife to our gardens understand the importance of having flowering plants in bloom for as long as possible. Selecting nectar-rich plants Read More...
California county sees greatest number of monarch butterflies in 20 years
Over this holiday season, there’s a glimmer of optimism in San Luis Obispo County. It takes the shape of a famous orange-and-black striped butterfly that lives in towering eucalyptus and Monterey cypress trees all along the coast. According to preliminary statistics shared by local volunteer Read More...
Grow these plants around your home as natural mosquitos repellents
While there are countless positives that come with the warmer seasons, there’s one huge downside. Yep, mosquitos! These pesky insects can leave us itching all over with unpleasant swollen and scabbed skin. We try to do everything we can to keep these bugs away, from candles to aerosols and Read More...
Study reveals bumblebees play with toys for fun, too
According to a new study, bumblebees don't just work hard—they like to play too. Scientists observed that the little insects enjoy rolling small wooden balls for no apparent reason other than for pleasure. "As humans, we might believe that we are the smartest and perhaps the only creatures Read More...
These microbes could help honey bees thrive
As we like to remind our readers a lot at The Optimist Daily, honeybees are essential for our planet's ecosystem. Humans rely on these little pollinators for food security as they basically pollinate everything! Not to mention the countless other species that rely on plants to feed and for Read More...
The shape of flowers reduces parasites transmitted to bumblebees
Bumblebees are furry and critical pollinators that are sadly vulnerable to many things such as heat and predators. Another thing that affects their populations that we can keep an eye out for in our gardens is parasites. Recent research from North Carolina State University showed that the Read More...