GGA Blog

It is not just female black widows consuming their male mates after copulation, but young black widow siblings seem programmed to try to kill each other. Researchers have discovered that black widow mothers produce egg sacs that are all the same size, and black widow spiderlings all grow at the same rate, making it impossible for the spiderling to be larger in size then its brother spiderling. This size similarity may be due to an evolutionary development aimed at preventing cannibalism by preventing one black widow sibling from becoming larger, and therefore predatory,

Until recently experts were under the impression that Zika could only be transmitted through sexual activity, blood transfusions, bites from the Zika carrying mosquito, and an infected mother can pass the disease to her unborn child. However, a recent case coming from Utah suggests that the virus can be spread by other means

Some people remain lucky enough to have never laid eyes on a slug. Even your literal garden-variety slug is quite ugly and ultimately wrong looking. It is a wonder they can get around since they do not seem to be in possession of legs. They move sort of like snakes, only they lack all of the useful evolutionary traits, like being fast. Despite the notion that slugs are boring and ugly, new research published in the Journal of Avian Biology tells a different story. Although slugs may not be intimidating it seems that there does exist a particular class of slug that is downright predatory.

When you wake up in the morning to find bug bites on you, most of us are inclined to freak out and believe our homes have been infested by bed bugs. I know I've done that numerous times, and later found that I didn't have bed bugs at all. There are many other insects that might bite you during the night other than bed bugs.

Increasing rates of urbanization have detrimental effects on animals living within an ecosystem. This is no wonder since concrete is not as hospitable to jungle dwelling animals as vegetation. Although most animals do not fare well in the city, there are some animals that absolutely thrive in urban environments. One example of this phenomena is well demonstrated in the Golden Orb Weaver Spider, which is becoming a little meatier in its physique.

Spiders may not be as much of a threat to our well being as mosquitoes, but that does not mean that it is sensible to dismiss them as completely harmless

The University of Florida was the first to utilize genetic sequencing to create a map showing the biodiversity and family tree of moths and butterflies. Apparently there are many more butterflies in the world than previously thought, as the study showed that many moths are genetically butterflies.

Researchers have managed to use technology to control a beatles movements

We have all seen those dimwitted moths that fly aimlessly around artificial light sources only to eventually kill themselves by landing on the excessively hot surfaces of the light bulbs. This is only a small picture of a much bigger problem. Artificial light sources are increasing on this planet and our ecosystem is suffering on account of this increase. However, there is good news according to a group of Swiss zoologists. It turns out that moths are learning to avoid artificial light sources