For those with arachnophobia, it might be best to look away, as scientists have unearthed the largest spider colony in the world.
The nest spans 106 square meters (1,140 square feet) and is believed to host up to 111,000 spiders—roughly half the size of a tennis court.
Recently, researchers published their findings in Underground Biology, revealing that two distinct species of spiders formed this massive colony.
This remarkable spider colony is situated in the Sulfur Caves of the Vromoner Valley, straddling the Greece-Albania border.
The nest resides in a permanently dark section of the cave, extending 50 meters (164 feet) from the entrance through a narrow, low-ceilinged passage. It comprises a multilayered patchwork of individual funnels that merge to create a spongy mass.
Researchers estimate the colony houses around 69,000 spiders, including Tegenaria domestica (commonly known as the barn funnel weaver or common house spider) and approximately 42,000 of The Vagrant of Prineligone species.
While these two species often coexist nearby, they typically do not share close quarters.
In fact, barn funnel weavers usually prey on smaller creatures, including The Vagrant of Prineligone. A truce between the two is unlikely, as the low light within the cave hinders the spiders’ vision.
Tegenaria domestica hides in a funnel-shaped nest and emerges when prey approaches – Credit: Getty
Instead, the spiders primarily feed on non-stinging midges, which swarm thickly in proximity to their colonies. These midges thrive on nutrients provided by natural springs and sustained by the sulfur-rich river navigating through the cave.
DNA analysis indicates that these spiders are genetically distinct from their surface relatives, highlighting adaptations to their unique environment.
Conversely, a sulfur-rich diet significantly diminishes the variety of gut microbiota.
Both factors imply that these spiders do not intermingle with their cousins found above ground.
The colony was initially discovered in 2022 by a group of cavers from the Czech Speleological Society during their exploration of the area.
A team of researchers followed up in 2024, estimating the spider population by counting the web funnels and collecting specimens for further analysis.
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As I embarked on this story, I pondered whether my subject should be included in my research. I envisioned a striking introduction: “Meet the longest-living animal on Earth. And yes, it’s edible.”
The creature in question is a type of shellfish, namely the ocean quahog, best known for its role in dishes like spaghetti alle vongole. While they are quite tasty, considering the moral implications of harvesting and consuming our fellow beings, as well as the harmful impact on marine ecosystems, I came to realize it raises deeper issues. This extraordinary mollusk can live for over 500 years. Killing it for food seems unjust. Thus, I must alter my introduction: This is the world’s longest-living animal, and my objective is to unravel its mysteries.
If the ocean quahog, also referred to as the Icelandic cyprin, is unfamiliar to you, don’t fret; it isn’t exactly a household name. This sizable bivalve is found buried in sandy beaches all around the North Atlantic, from the warm coasts of Florida and Cadiz, Spain, to the frigid waters of Canada and Norway. If you’ve ever tasted clam chowder in the USA, you’ve likely encountered this species. Its shell showcases fine lines akin to a tree’s annual growth rings, allowing one to determine its age by counting them.
The oldest known specimen, named Hafrun—an Icelandic term that translates to “mystery of the sea”—was born in 1499. It led an unremarkable life, living modestly on a diet scavenged from the shores of Iceland, just as its ancestors had done for generations. Its long life, however, was anything but ordinary. Sadly, Hafrun’s existence came to an abrupt end in 2006 when a team from the University of Exeter, UK, retrieved it from the ocean for research on aging by chronologist Paul Butler. The study aimed to analyze bivalve shells to devise a timeline of the surrounding environment.
“Initially, we estimated its age to be slightly over 400 years. But after a more meticulous examination of its growth lines and comparisons with other shells, we realized it was actually 507 years old,” Butler revealed. It’s possible that even older specimens exist, especially in the colder waters around Iceland, where they tend to grow more slowly and live exceedingly longer. Is there a maximum age limit? “It’s astounding that they can survive for such an extended period,” Butler noted, embodying the enthusiasm of a true mathematician.
The longevity of the quahog seems to stem from its mitochondria—the tiny structures within our cells that convert food into energy. This applies to all eukaryotes, from yew trees and beetles to jellyfish and rabbits.
“Strong mitochondria, which Arctica islandica possesses, are vital for healthy aging across various model species,” comments Enrique Rodriguez, who studies mitochondria at University College London.
The mitochondria of quahogs exhibit enhanced resilience. Their membranes are sturdier than those of other species. These membranes house a protein apparatus that handles electrons and protons to produce ATP, the body’s universal energy currency. The quahog’s mitochondria are larger and more organized, making them even more durable. “Their proteins possess greater molecular weights and intricate structures,” Rodriguez adds. “They are interconnected more efficiently.”
This specialized structure allows the quahog to mitigate mitochondrial damage. It carefully orchestrates the countless protons and electrons that traverse these membranes every second. When electrons leak, they can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide, causing cellular harm. Rodriguez likens this process to cars stuck in traffic: in regular mitochondria, a red light up front triggers a back-up, resulting in exhaust emissions that harm the environment. Yet in quahog mitochondria, protein complexes (the traffic lights) facilitate smoother flow, resulting in diminished exhaust.
However, robust membranes are just part of what allows quahogs to enjoy lengthy lifespans. They also excel in eliminating the ROS they produce. Using Rodriguez’s analogy, this equates to cleaning a car’s exhaust.
A woman hunts quahogs on the Massachusetts coastline.
Boston Globe (via Getty Images)
Rodriguez compared the antioxidant abilities of the quahog to several of its short-lived relatives and found it had a notably superior capacity to eliminate ROS—3-14 times more effective. This finding aligns with the Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress Theory of Aging, also seen in the extraordinary lifespans of other species like naked mole rats, which can live up to 40 years—over six times longer than rodents of comparable size.
Pierre Blier, a researcher focused on animal metabolism and aquaculture genetics at the University of Quebec, raises quahogs in labs to investigate longevity mechanisms. He adds that the ocean quahog showcases a remarkable capacity to buffer oxidants. “Their mitochondria are incredibly durable and resistant to ROS,” he states, supporting the MOSTA theory.
While this provides insights into how these creatures achieve such extended lifespans, it also raises questions about the “why.” In other words, what evolutionary pressures contributed to the development of such robust mitochondria?
A possible explanation lies in the low levels of oxygen in the environments where these clams thrive. “Naked mole rats can remain confined in their burrows for about a week without needing gills for oxygen,” Rodriguez observes. Mitochondria have adapted to endure low oxygen conditions (known as anoxia) for extended periods, subsequently requiring robustness to handle sudden oxygen influxes and the correlative spike in oxidative stress. This similar adaptability is evident in naked mole rats, as their subterranean habitats often have diminished oxygen levels. Rodriguez notes a like pattern in their mitochondrial resilience under both oxygen deprivation and subsequent reoxygenation stress, suggesting that selection pressure related to low oxygen could lead to increased longevity almost inadvertently.
“
My advice to live longer is to exercise, eat well, and take cold showers. “
The pressing question is whether we can bolster our own mitochondria. Back in 2005, a team at the University of California, Irvine, created transgenic mice with enhanced production of the “scavenging” antioxidant enzyme catalase in their mitochondria, extending their lifespans by around five months—a notable increase considering their average lifespan of two years. Although gene editing in human mitochondria is now feasible, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of how to safely extend lifespan, prompting the necessity for alternative methods.
Regular exercise is known to improve mitochondrial function. Interestingly, Tibetan Sherpas, who dwell at high altitudes, exhibit distinct mitochondrial characteristics compared to lowland dwellers. A 2017 study examining indigenous lowlanders and Sherpas attempting to climb Mount Everest Base Camp, situated roughly 5,300 meters above sea level, found that Sherpas demonstrated superior oxygen utilization and greater defenses against oxidative stress—attributed to their stronger mitochondria, with genetic foundations for these traits.
Blier argues that Arctica islandica offers valuable insights into longevity. “To enhance your lifespan, focus on your mitochondria: engage in regular exercise, maintain a balanced diet, and incorporate cold showers… Cold showers seem to invoke mitochondrial quality control mechanisms.”
If it works for quahogs…
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Moreover, the atmospheric pressure is equivalent to that found on Earth at an altitude of 35km (almost 115,000 feet), well above the cruising altitude of commercial flights. This sparse atmosphere is predominantly carbon dioxide, containing only minimal amounts of oxygen.
Additionally, liquid water is virtually nonexistent on Mars, with radiation levels being 400 times greater than those on Earth, and only rare instances of extremely saline trickles.
Nonetheless, certain Earth organisms have shown a remarkable ability to endure such harsh conditions.
The European Space Agency conducted a series of experiments between 2008 and 2016, exposing various organisms and seeds to simulated Martian conditions aboard the International Space Station.
Tardigrades, fungi, and some bacteria survived for over a year, but solely in dormant forms, such as spores and cysts.
Some lichens and algae went a step further, demonstrating actual metabolic activity when partially shielded from radiation—this could occur on Mars if they are embedded in soil or hidden within rock crevices.
In 2024, Chinese researchers discovered that various desert moss species (Syntrichia caninervis) could endure simulated Martian conditions. However, “tolerance” is far from thriving in such an environment.
Although the moss was able to recover after a week in the simulated Martian environment and returned to normal growth, researchers did not find evidence of metabolic activity, such as oxygen production, within the Martian setting.
But the challenges are even greater.
Mars has an average surface temperature of -63°C (-81°F) and an atmospheric pressure that corresponds to 35km (nearly 115,000 feet), along with radiation levels that are 400 times higher than on Earth.
Mars soil contains perchlorate, a problematic oxidizer that is toxic to cell functions and leads to DNA damage. Exposure to the ultraviolet radiation prevalent on Mars makes it even more reactive.
The Chinese experiments did not simulate perchlorate presence in the Martian environment. Had it been included, it likely would have obliterated the moss entirely.
Some fungi survive perchlorate, and several bacterial species can utilize it as an energy source, even breaking it down into harmless by-products. However, these species still require water and warmth to thrive.
Typically, when we store items, we employ various methods to eliminate bacteria and fungi or inhibit their growth.
We freeze food, dehydrate it, sterilize with UV light, soak it in saline solutions, or seal it in oxygen-removing containers. On Mars, all these methods are naturally enforced!
If we aimed to sterilize a planet, we could hardly surpass the existing conditions on Mars.
This article addresses the inquiry posed by Robin Mason of Manchester: “Is there anything on Earth that can withstand Martian conditions?”
Please send your questions via emailto Question @sciencefocus.com, or reach us throughFacebook,Twitter, orInstagramPage (please include your name and location).
Explore our ultimateFun fact for more astonishing science content.
In 1861, researchers found Archeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur, in 150-million-year-old limestone in Solnhofen, Germany. At that time, they were unaware that this fossilized skeleton—and subsequent finds—would provide critical evidence for evolutionary theory, demonstrating that birds indeed descended from dinosaurs.
“They’re maximizing their existence,” remarked Jinmai O’Connor, a paleontologist at Chicago’s open-air museums.
For more than 164 years, scientists have closely examined all available specimens. Thus, one might assume that such well-researched fossil species would yield no further surprises. However, a recent paper published in the journal Nature on Wednesday by Dr. O’Connor and his research team unveiled new details about soft tissues and skeletal structures from a newly identified specimen dubbed the Chicago Archeopteryx. Their findings could offer insights into short flights and clarify how feathered dinosaurs evolved to move from the ground.
Dr. O’Connor noted that for a long time, it has been challenging to understand the flight capabilities and environmental adaptations of Archeopteryx. Many specimens are flattened due to geological processes, which complicates the identification of key skeletal details. While earlier researchers and most modern experts agree the species likely achieved flight, certain anatomical features prompt paleontologists to seek additional data.
The latest specimens acquired by the Field Museum in 2022 and published in 2024 have enabled Dr. O’Connor’s team to begin addressing some of the anatomical uncertainties.
When the fossil arrived at the museum, it was not clearly visible. The specimen matched the color of the surrounding rocks, making most of the soft tissues difficult to discern, according to Dr. O’Connor.
Researchers illuminated the fossils using CT scans and created digital maps of the skeleton to aid in preparing the slab. They also employed special techniques; chemical treatments made soft tissues glow under UV light, helping the team avoid accidentally damaging feathers and skin textures while exposing bones. Such methods weren’t available to fossil preparers in the 1800s.
Unlike other specimens, the bones of the Chicago Archeopteryx are preserved in three dimensions, allowing Dr. O’Connor’s team to closely analyze the skull palate. This revealed the oldest signs of evolutionary trends toward the more flexible skulls of modern birds compared to their ancient counterparts, Dr. O’Connor explained.
In another stroke of fossilization luck, the wings of the specimen were detached from the body and “preserved in detail,” Dr. O’Connor noted. Upon closer examination, the team confirmed that instead of having the previously observed two layers of wing feathers, the Archaeopteryx actually boasts three. In modern birds, this third layer helps connect shorter forearms to the body, creating a continuous lifting surface critical for maintaining flight.
Dr. O’Connor noted that the structure of the wings stands in contrast to other feathered, non-avian dinosaurs, whose long wings remain rigid at the elbows, making them useful but ultimately ineffective for flight.
The absence of a sternum suggests these birds were likely less adept at flying. However, the toe pads found in the Chicago specimen provide additional evidence that these creatures were well-adapted for life on the ground, resembling a Jurassic-era chicken or road runner. They could achieve brief flights if necessary, but generally preferred to sprint.
The newly reported characteristics enhance the current understanding of Archeopteryx and directly support ongoing theories regarding the relationship between the species’ abilities and the origins of flight, according to Michael Pittman, a paleontologist from the University of Hong Kong who was not part of the study.
“This study truly underscores the importance of uncovering new fossils, even in well-known and thoroughly examined specimens,” he stated.
Dr. O’Connor concurred.
“This specimen will keep me engaged for years,” she remarked.
Theodor Diener had a problem. It was in 1967, and he and his colleagues successfully isolated an infectious agent that caused spindle tuber disease in potatoes that destroy crops. But it wasn’t like what they realised. They called it a virus, but it didn’t act like one thing.
It took Diener four years to demonstrate that mystical beings are even simpler than viruses. It is a single “naked” molecule that can infect potato cells and thus reproduce. He suggested calling it a wild. It was the smallest replicating agent ever identified. With a stroke, dinner expanded my understanding of living in the microscope world.
You might think that such a dramatic discovery would, uh, go viral. Almost no one noticed it yet. Apart from several other plant pathologists, the world of science has forgotten much about wilds for half a century. They had never even heard of him in 2020 when Benjamin Lee of the National Center for Biotechnology Information in Bethesda, Maryland, was encouraged to look into Wild.
Since then, there has been an explosion of discovery thanks to Lee and others. Now we know thousands of wilds and violids-like entities, with exotic names such as obelisks, ribojunctions, satellites and more. They appear to be found everywhere in a vast range of organisms and microorganisms. I don’t know what most of them are doing, whether most of them are benign or dangerous. However, these simplest replicators raise basic questions about the meaning of being alive. They can even go back to the origins of…
Are you an insect fan? Please leave now: Victory image Royal Insect SocietyThe 2024 photography competition has been announced.
This year's close-up creature selection has a very terrible appearance beetle, unfortunate mummy hornet, and a unique monochrome butterfly. However, according to the judge, the most interesting picture was a photo of Gnart's egg (not Srek's parent Relative, but a robbery). This image, snapped by Benjamin Salb, is introduced in incredible details of the crimson eyes of the bug wide set.
The overall winner of the “Under 18” category was Alexis Tinker Zabara, a 17-year-old German photographer, and was an image of a big woman's jagged bug waiting for her prey on the flower head.
The Royal Insect Society exists to enhance the general understanding and gratitude of insects and the diverse and important roles they play in our global ecosystem.
Environmental category insects
A close-up photo of Bacillus Aricasninf with photos taken in a mountain near Athens, Greece. Photo: Panagiotis Dalagiorgos/RES
Insect portrait category
Dogbuttle (Geottle Pidae) taken in a dunes in a dunes in the UK. Photo: Ben James
Overall runner-up
BRACONIDAE, a parasitic insect, has attacked the Drepanosiphum Platanoidis. The sparrow larva from the aphids has built a COCO like a disc under the “mummified” body. Photo: Rupert Lees/RES
Insect behavior category
The process known as “spawning agents” depicts egg spawning. Photos by Jamie Spenceory/RES
Smartphone category
The blue clown butterfly (Ricanpa Rinji) took a rest on a dazzling dynamic pattern wings with the sun rays and shot it on a smartphone. Photo: SRITAM KUMAR SETHY/RES
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Why does a butterfly fly straight?
Winners in the category of less than 18 seconds
A big woman's jagged ambush bug (PHYMATINAE) is waiting for a tangible flower head prey. Photographed at Montreal, Canada. Photo: Alexis tinker-tsavalas/res
Environmental category insects
The phenomenal spring sun of the dark blue URE covered between daisies at daisy involves the wings and refracts by Lee Frost/RES.
Environmental category insects
A small flower bee (ANTHOPHORA SP) is sitting on the flower of corn margold. Photo by Ryan Dale/RES
Environmental category insects
Curculio GLANDIUM taken in the oak leaves by Matthew Thomas/RES
Environmental category insects
A backlight shot of the Mediterranean Mantis (Iris Oratoria) on the sunrise. Photographed with Greece Sikinos. The reflection of the sun in the Aegean Sea looks like a background, but Mantis in the foreground gives an abnormal perspective. Photo: Panagiotis Dalagiorgos/RES
Insect portrait category
Ecememnius hornet appearing in the sun of the morning sun. Photo: Matthew Thomas/RES
Insect behavior category
This common red soldier Beatle (Rhagonycha Fulva) has taken off its wings. Photo: MARC BrouWer/RES
Insect portrait category
A portrait of a fascinating blue long horn beetle (anoplophora zonator). Photo by Douglas Bar/RES
Environmental category insects
A kind of grasshopper known as Taeniopoda Eques, a western horse pose posed with cactus. Rosemary Haleem/RES
Overall winner
This is a very detailed image of a living Gnat Ogre (HOLCOCEPHALA FUSCA) taken in the field. Photo: Benjamin Salb/RES
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Image of the strange and most wonderful wildlife of this year this year
“Have you ever been late and thought, ‘Usain Bolt wouldn’t have these problems?'” Well, in the realm of the world’s fastest animals, Bolt is a blunt force compared to some amazing records. It’s just – Holder is there. “
Whether on land, air, or sea, speed is essential for a variety of reasons. Finding your next meal or running away from sharp teeth all require speed and lots of speed.
The world’s fastest four-legged mammal is the cheetah. These amazing cats can accelerate up to 94 km/h (58.4 mph) in less than 3 seconds thanks to their powerful leg muscles and slender bodies.
Combined with their excellent eyesight, they are a formidable force when hunting animals such as impalas and gazelles across vast swaths of the African savannah.
Fastest insect (on land)
Flycatcher (Cicindela hudsoni) – The world’s fastest land-flying insect. Photographed on Fore Island, Shark Bay, Western Australia. Photo courtesy: Auscape/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
At 20mm long, the Australian beetle’s top speed of 9km/h (5.5mph) doesn’t seem that fast. But it becomes a little more impressive when you consider that this means that it travels a distance equal to 125 times its body length every second.
The beetle uses its speed and lightning reactions to catch and eat other insects, such as flies, in the blink of an eye.
Fastest insect (in flight)
A male horsefly (Hybomitra distinguenda) hovers in search of a female. Photographed in Surrey, England. Photo credit: Alamy
Male horseflies are the world’s fastest flying insects, reaching speeds estimated at 145 kilometers (90 miles) per hour. The fly itself is easily recognized by the colorful orange markings on its abdomen and is found all over the world, except in polar regions.
fastest bird (in flight)
White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) in flight. Photo credit: JJ Harrison/Wikipedia
The white-throated blackbill may be the fastest bird in horizontal flight, but this has never been formally proven. It is said to be able to reach speeds of more than 170 km/h (105 mph), which, if proven, would make it faster than a golden eagle or a gyrfalcon.
The bird itself is a type of swiftlet, but it has a large body and a very narrow tail (hence the name). They are migratory birds that travel long distances, but are a rare sight in the UK and Ireland.
Ostriches are the fastest two-legged birds and can reach speeds of 70 km/h (45 mph) on land. Ostriches raise small wings to aid stability and use their long legs and powerful muscles to outrun many predators.
The ostrich’s leg muscles are so powerful that, although rare, it can kill a lion with a kick. However, their speed and power more than compensate for their lack of flight ability.
fastest fish
A black marlin (Istiompax indica) swims underwater with the sun in the background. Photo courtesy: Getty Images
The world’s fastest swimming fish is the marlin, with an estimated top speed of 129 km/h (80 mph).
Marlins are valuable game fish, but they are extremely difficult to catch thanks to their extremely sharp beaks and incredible stamina. The most popular place to catch this impressive fish is the Great Barrier Reef, but the fish can be found in many tropical regions, including the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Throughout human history, stories about fantastical beasts and supernatural beings have captivated our imagination. From werewolves and vampires to yetis and deep-sea monsters, mythical creatures have inspired countless folk tales and cultural works, as well as elaborate hoaxes.
Many intrepid explorers ventured into the wilderness in search of conclusive evidence of these beings’ existence. While some mythical creatures turned out to be real species, others remain purely fictional, and some are still the subject of intense debate.
Cryptids, creatures that have not yet been scientifically described, are the focus of cryptozoology, the study of these mysterious animals. But what is the real science behind these mythical creatures?
vampire
Vampire bats in the Americas drink blood, but vampire legends predate Columbus. – Photo credit: Getty
Legends of vampires have been portrayed in various forms of media, but scientists suggest that this myth may have originated from real medical conditions such as porphyria or tuberculosis.
Some believe that vampire legends arose from societal fears of death and decay, rather than actual creatures that feed on blood like vampire bats or leeches.
yeti
Centuries-old tales of the yeti, a giant two-legged hairy creature in the Himalayas, have fascinated explorers and cryptozoologists worldwide. However, modern DNA analysis has debunked the existence of the yeti, attributing sightings to bears.
sea snake
The gigantic oarfish, which can grow up to eight meters in length, may have inspired stories of giant sea serpents that terrified early explorers. – Photo credit: Alamy
Legends of giant sea snakes have historical roots, possibly inspired by sightings of the oarfish. Reports of oarfish rising to the surface in response to seismic activity could explain the myth of sea serpents as harbingers of doom.
griffin
Legends of the griffin, a winged creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle, may have originated from the discovery of early dinosaur fossils like the protoceratops. The griffin myth could have arisen from misinterpreted remains found in the Gobi Desert.
kraken
Photo credit: Getty
Scandinavian folklore of the Kraken, a giant octopus-like sea creature, has been linked to sightings of giant squids. While these deep-sea creatures are formidable, they are unlikely to attack large ships as depicted in the myths.
mermaid
Stories of mermaids, aquatic creatures with human bodies and fish-like tails, have ancient origins. These myths may have been inspired by sightings of manatees or dugongs by European sailors, combined with hallucinations from scurvy.
minotaur
Photo credit: Getty
The Greek myth of the Minotaur, a creature with the head of a bull and the body of a human, may have been influenced by seismic activity on the island of Crete, where earthquakes were common due to tectonic plate movements.
unicorn
The unicorn, a famous mythical creature depicted as a white horse with a horn, may have originated from mistranslated ancient texts referring to the aurochs. The legend of the unicorn persisted through the Middle Ages, fueled by the sale of narwhal tusks as unicorn horns.
5 Famous Monster Hoaxes
1. In 1958, giant footprints believed to be from Bigfoot were revealed to be a prank by Ray Wallace.
2. The “mermaids of Fiji” mummy was discovered to be a fake created by Japanese fishermen.
3. The Loch Ness Monster photo from 1934 was exposed as a hoax using a plastic head fixed to a toy submarine.
4. The “Cardiff Giant” petrified man was a sculpture created by George Hull.
5. The Cottingley Fairies photos were revealed to be cutouts from children’s books.
Composite image of a jumping spherical collembolan
Adrian Smith
High-speed cameras have clearly captured the springtails spinning in the air faster than any other animal ever recorded.
Springtails are a type of arthropod, a group related to insects, that are a few millimeters long and can be found in most places on Earth.
As its name suggests, the animal leaps off the ground using a tail-like appendage called a “furka” that folds up under its body and can instantly unfold to launch the creature into the air and escape predators.
Adrian Smith A North Carolina State University student was sifting through leaves in his backyard when he came across a round, mottled orange-and-brown reptile. Dikiltmina Minuta.
“We brought them into the lab to film them, and we were amazed by what they did,” Smith says.
Working together Jacob Harrison Smith, of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, used a high-speed camera to capture dozens of Springtail shells, and to encourage the arthropods to turn over, the researchers placed the Springtails under bright lights and sometimes poked them with tiny paintbrushes.
With each jump, the tiny acrobatic creatures arc backwards up to 80 times their body length, and springtails can spin up to 368 times a second, faster than any animal yet studied.
Smith and Harrison found that springtails have two ways of landing: by bouncing and rolling uncontrollably, or by a fixed stop made possible by organs called colophores, sticky tubes that allow them to attach to the ground.
Scientists continue to study the jumping mechanics of springtails for engineering clues, and they are also studying the forward somersaults of the blue-green algae, another arthropod that has evolved a rapid escape jump.
Smith says people may think that everything in the natural world is explained and known, but that's not the case: “There's so much that exists within us and between us that is incredible.”
Bees are winged insects that feed on nectar and pollen from flowers and sometimes produce honey. There are around 20,000 species of honeybees, of which 270 live in the UK. More than 90% of honeybee species are solitary, but the remaining species, such as honeybees and bumblebees, live socially in colonies consisting of a single queen bee, female worker bees and male drones.
The largest wasp, Wallace's giant wasp, can grow up to 4cm in length, while tiny stingless wasp workers are smaller than a grain of rice. Wasps live on every continent except Antarctica, and in all habitats with flowering plants that are pollinated by insects.
Honeybees pollinate many of the plants we rely on for food, but their numbers are declining. Bee species numbers have been declining for decades and bees are now missing from a quarter of the places in the UK where they were found 40 years ago.
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How intelligent are honeybees?
Bees are highly intelligent creatures: they can count, solve puzzles and even use simple tools.
in An experimentIn a study, bees were trained to jump over three identical, evenly spaced landmarks to reach a sugar reward 300 meters away. When the number of landmarks was then reduced, the bees flew much farther; when the number of landmarks was increased, the bees landed a shorter distance away.
This suggests that the bees were counting landmarks to decide where to land.
in Another studyScientists have created a puzzle box that can be opened by twisting the lid to access sugar. Solution: Press the red tab to rotate the lid clockwise. Press the blue tab to rotate it counterclockwise. Not only can bees be trained to solve puzzles, they can also learn to solve problems themselves by watching other bees solve them.
In terms of tool use, Asian honeybees have been known to collect fresh animal waste and smear it around the hive entrance to repel predatory Asian giant hornets. This may smell a bit, but it also counts as tool use.
Scientists have previously shown that honeybees can learn to use tools in the lab. Fecal discovery in 2020 This is the first observation of tool use by wild honeybees.
Honeybee Anatomy
Image credit: Daniel Bright
The head includes:
1. Two compound eyes 2. Three small, lenticular eyespots (called ocelli) 3. Antennae that detect smell, taste, sound, and temperature 4. Chewing jaws, often used as nest building material 5. A proboscis that sucks up nectar, honey, and water
The thorax consists of:
6. Bee body 7. 3 pairs of legs 8. Two pairs of wings
The abdomen contains the following:
9. An esophagus, or honey stomach, for transporting nectar to the nest 10. Stinger – A sharp organ used to inject venom
How do bees communicate?
Honeybees have two primary modes of communication: expressive dance and expressive olfaction.
Honeybees use their famous “wag dance” to guide hive-mates to nectar- and pollen-rich flowers. Returning from a successful scouting mission, a worker bee scurries to one of the hive's vertical combs and begins tracing a figure-eight pattern.
Honeybees doing the “tail dance” – Photo credit: Kim Taylor / naturepl.com
When it reaches the straight center of its shape, it vibrates its abdomen and flaps its wings, a motion that makes the bird's wings wag like a tail.
The length of the tail flick indicates the distance to the flower, with each second increasing the distance traveled by 100 metres.Communicating direction is more complicated but can be done by the bee orienting its body in the direction of the food, relative to the sun.
The intensity of the dance indicates the abundance of food sources, and the dancers also release a cocktail of pheromones that spur nestmates into action: Colony members watch the dance, smell it with their antennae, and then set off in search of flowers.
There are other dances too, such as the “round dance” where the hips are not shaken and is used to indicate the position of flowers. Nearby, forager bees perform their “trembling dance” to gather their swarm members together to collect nectar from worker bees.
How do bees travel?
A honeybee can travel miles to find food in distant flower fields, yet still reliably find its way home – and with a brain the size of a sesame seed! So how does it do this?
First, they use the sun as a compass. Honeybees' eyes are sensitive to polarized light and can penetrate thick clouds, meaning that even on cloudy days, honeybees can “see” the sun and use it as a guide. Combining the position of the sun with the time indications of the animals' internal clocks allows honeybees to figure out both direction and distance.
Bees also monitor how much the sun moves while they are migrating, so that when they return to the hive they can tell their hive-mates where the food is relative to the sun's current position, rather than where it was when they found it.
Finally, honeybees are known to be able to sense magnetic fields through some sort of magnetic structure in their abdomen, so researchers believe they may also use the Earth's magnetic field to help them navigate.
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What does a bumblebee nest look like?
Bumblebees are plump, hairy bees that look like they can't fly. There are 24 species in the UK, of which 6 are parasitic and 18 are social.
Social species, such as garden bumblebees, form colonies and nest in protected places out of direct sunlight – good places include abandoned rodent burrows, compost piles, birdhouses, tree holes and spaces under sheds.
Photo credit: John Waters / naturepl.com
Unlike honeybee nests, which are elaborate structures with hexagonal cells, bumblebee nests are messy structures of cells, often insulated with leaves or animal fur, and designed to house small numbers of bees (about 40 to 400) during one nesting season.
In contrast, a honeybee hive can house up to 40,000 bees and last for many years.
Parasitic bumblebees, such as the giant cuckoo bee, don't build their own nests – instead, the queen invades other bumblebee nests, kills the queen and lays her own eggs, which are then raised by the local worker bees.
When did honeybees evolve?
Hornets are said to be cruel and are universally disliked, while honeybees are seen as benevolent and widely revered, yet honeybees evolved from hornets.
Bees belong to the order Hymenoptera, which also includes sawflies, ants, and wasps. The oldest Hymenoptera fossils date to the Triassic Period, about 224 million years ago. Wasps appeared in the Jurassic Period, 201 to 145 million years ago, and honeybees appeared in the Cretaceous Period, 145 to 66 million years ago.
Trigona prisca was one of the first species. Stingless bees discovered immortalized in amber in New JerseyThey flew about 85 million years ago, and the key specimens were female, worker bees with small abdomens, indicating that some bee species had already formed complex social structures.
The first animal-pollinated flowers had already evolved by this time and were pollinated by beetles, but the evolution of bees prompted the evolution of flowering plants, which prompted the evolution of bees, and so on.
This is one of the best examples of co-evolution: flowers evolved nectar and a funnel-shaped head, while bees evolved a long tongue to drink the nectar and specialized hairs to transport the pollen.
Can humans survive without bees?
Probably not, but the disappearance of honeybees would pose a serious threat to global food security and nutrition.
One third of the food we eat relies on insects like bees to pollinate the plants they grow, transporting pollen between them – from staples like potatoes and onions to fruits like apples and watermelon to condiments like basil and coriander.
For example, coffee and cocoa trees depend on honeybees for pollination, as do around 80% of Europe's wildflowers.
Bees are also a food source for many birds, mammals and insects, so if they were to disappear, their role in the ecosystem would be lost, with knock-on effects for many other animals and plants.
It's bad news, then, that honeybees are in global decline due to habitat loss, intensive farming, pollution, pesticide use, disease and climate change. Recent studies have found that the global decline of pollinating insects is already causing around 500,000 premature human deaths per year by reducing healthy food supplies.
What should I plant to make my garden bee-friendly?
Bees navigate by their position relative to the sun. – Photo credit: Getty Images
Most bee species aren't too picky about where they get their pollen and nectar from, so plants like lavender, hollyhocks and marigolds attract a variety of bees.
But other species are more specialized and depend on fewer plants. These bees are often rare, and if the plants they need to survive disappear, local bee populations can be at risk.
Raise yellow-flowered bees for yellow-flowered bees. Yellow-flowered bees are medium-sized bees that frequent this plant in search of pollen and aromatic oils. Females use the oils to waterproof their nests, which are often found on the banks of ponds and rivers.
Lamb's ear is an easy-to-grow evergreen perennial that is a favorite of wool-carder wasps. Female wool-carder wasps use the soft, hairy leaf fibers to line their nests, and males defend territories that contain these plants.
Another easy way is to let your grass grow long and embrace the weeds.
Dandelions and related plants like honeysuckle and chickweed are favorites of pantaloon bees, so named because the long hairs on the female's hind legs, covered with pollen, look like clown trousers. Buttercups, in turn, attract large pincer bees and sleepy carpenter bees.
5 Common Myths About Bees…Bullshit
1. Bees are too heavy to fly – This myth dates back to the 1934 publication of Antoine Magnin's “Book of Insects.” Magnin mistakenly believed that bees' wings were too small to generate the lift needed for flight. Obviously, he was wrong.
2. All bees sting – Male honeybees cannot sting; the stinger is a modified egg-laying organ that only females have. There are also about 550 species of stingless bees, but their stingers are too small to be used for defense.
3. If a bee stings, it will die. – Of all the bees that can sting, only the honeybee dies after stinging. The barbs on the bee's stinger get stuck in the victim's skin and when the bee tries to escape, its abdomen bursts, causing a fatal injury.
4. All bees make honey – Most bees don't make honey. In fact, there are only eight species of bees that produce large amounts of sweet nectar. There are hundreds of other species of bees that produce honey, but in much smaller amounts.
5. All bees are hard workers – As busy as honeybees are, aren't they? The queen bee lays up to 1,500 eggs a day. The worker bees forage, feed the larvae, and clean the hive. But the drones don't have as much work to do in a day. Their only role is to mate with the virgin queen bee.
ohBut out in the desert, the skies begin to darken. You are here to hunt Dosha-gama – fearsome, scaly, lion-like, squashed-faced beasts that roam the dunes in small herds. But a looming storm suggests something much bigger is approaching. Soon, a giant shadow descends from the heavens: Lei Dau, a horned, gold-trimmed dragon who wields lightning. Are you strong enough to face it? Or is it time to flee to the hills?
Monster Hunter is one of Capcom’s most successful game series, but it wasn’t always that way. When I started playing it on the PlayStation Portable in 2006, very few people were interested. It was notoriously cumbersome, demanding, and difficult, and online play didn’t work well. On the other hand, when I moved to Japan in 2008, it was hard not to see someone playing Monster Hunter on the train or in a cafe. It was 2018’s Monster Hunter: World that really made the game a global hit. Technology finally allowed for vast natural settings worthy of gigantic, intimidating, and highly realistic monsters, and smooth online play became a reality.
Watch the trailer for Monster Hunter Wild
“It was a challenge to bring the series to a global level that hadn’t been there before,” recalls Ryozo Tsujimoto, who worked as a designer on the original Monster Hunter, which was released in Japan and North America in 2004, and has led the series ever since.
“In order to make it a global hit, there are some things we haven’t done before… It may not be so visible to players, but compared to the past, we are in much closer communication with our Western offices and staff around the world, so we’re in a much better position than before to listen to player feedback and reactions to the game and decide how to approach the next title.”
yesWhile the name might lead you to think of a game about herding sheep, it’s actually a lot stranger than that. teeth They’re sheep, but they’re fluffy flying sheep that float around after you as you ride on the back of a giant, colorful bird. Every now and then, they’re sheared and knitted into new jumpers or hats with pom-poms so the sheep look like naked, purple, aerial sausages with eyes. But the majority of your flock is actually made up of flying fish. Or are they fish? Some are curvy like eels, some moo like chickens, and some look like winged whales. Like we said, it’s pretty weird.
Your job in Flock is to find them in the wild, identify them from their short but varied and obvious written clues (“drooping proboscis,” “vertical stripes,” “often mistaken for a noisy radish”), and fill a field guide full of these big-eyed, flying-fish-like creatures. They all resemble sea creatures through a slightly surreal pop art filter, but are so well drawn that you can now tell the difference between a Cosmet and a Beul, a Thrips and a Rustic. Some camouflage among weeds and leaves, others flee when you approach, and others chirp at you while sunning themselves on rocks. You can find a piper to teach the birds to sing, and then collect them like a piper into a cloud of creatures that will follow you.
I’m still not very good at charming creatures. I can’t get the timing right and often end up frightening the birds with my off-key shrieks instead of leading them into the flock. But I morning It’s good at finding them. The flying is done for you. Birds fly around trees and mossy rocks automatically, so you’re free to observe your surroundings and listen for the chirps and twitters that announce the presence of undiscovered birds and fish. I navigated by sound as often as by sight. The nature-inspired soundscapes are one of Flock’s strongest features, along with the eye-catching art and cute, witty writing.
I enjoyed my few days with Flock, though I wish it were longer. There were some really interesting environmental puzzles that made me want to find other creatures hiding out on the plateau. Most creatures were easy to find, but a few required some fun deduction from a single sentence in the field guide. Once or twice, a creature in my entourage would tell me the location of another creature or help me find something, but most creatures just follow the player around and don’t do anything. I couldn’t help but imagine a more ambitious version of this game, one where the main creatures give you interesting abilities once you’ve filled out the field guide, and you can do things with your friends in races and challenges. But in under five hours, I’d done everything there was to do.
And yet I keep firing up Steam Deck just to fly around the swamps and moss forests for a few minutes – it’s so relaxing, so fun to look at, and so endearingly quirky that it stands out from the crowd.
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