If you live in the Northeast United States, the Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) probably needs no introduction. Since their arrival around 2014, these striking planthoppers have transformed from a localized curiosity in Pennsylvania into a region-wide phenomenon, swarming vineyards, coating city sidewalks, and becoming the target of public "squish-on-sight" campaigns. But as evolutionary biologists, we... Continue Reading →
A New Hope for Urban Pit Building Insects
A pit-fall is only as good as the location is deployed. Cities can provide large shaded areas with a layer of soil suitable for trap building. Check out our blog to find out how Wormlion larvae use walls to deploy the perfect pit-fall trap.
SICB 2019: Do Warm City Nights Accelerate Development and Growth of Butterflies?
A painted lady (Vanessa cardui), a species of butterfly common in urban habitats (Photo credit: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT) The urban heat island effect is a well-known consequence of urbanization whereby temperatures in cities are higher than those in surrounding natural areas. One wrinkle in the heat island effect is that the increase in temperatures is not... Continue Reading →