Ferocious Beauty
Carnivorous plants have turned the tables on food webs. Rather than insects munching on plants, these plants chow down on insects. The “traps” of yellow [...]
Buzz Kill
One of the joys of being the resident entomologist in my family and circle of friends is that I frequently receive “What’s this bug?” texts [...]
Wings of Change
You may have noticed a small white butterfly flittering through your garden, bouncing across your path while on your bike or spiraling around the side [...]
Urban Cicada Safari
On September 2, as the 9-5ers emptied out of downtown Raleigh, we gathered near the State Legislature Building to embark on an urban insect adventure. [...]
7 cool facts about drain flies and their kin
Over the last few days, we’ve received a few notes and photos (see above) from folks describing fuzzy, moth-like flies flitting about their kitchen or [...]
Nothing Gold Can Stay
The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis), like many animals, changes colors over the course of a year. In the summer, male goldfinches dress in bright gold [...]
Mushroom Musings
With last weekend's rains, mushrooms have sprouted up all over Raleigh yards, neighborhoods and parks. The above is a composite sketch of all the beautiful [...]
Predation in Action!
Last week, I led a group of students and postdocs from the Entomology Department at NC State on an expedition to collect bees at the [...]
Squirrel Sketch
If you live on the East Coast, I bet you encountered at least one eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) during your regular comings and goings [...]
Nature in NSF’s Backyard
2014 marks the 3rd consecutive year that a pair of black vultures (Coragyps atratus) have chosen the roof of the National Science Foundation to raise [...]
The Giant Wild Life of our Giant Backyards
Today we're serving up an elephant double-feature. Click on over to Buzz Hoot Roar to get your second helping of pachyderms. Last week, I woke [...]
Celebrating Native Bees
As you were enjoying celebrations this July 4th weekend, you may have noticed many bees flying around your yard or neighborhood park, pollinating flowers and [...]
My Favorite Actor
I’ve seen some incredible organisms over the years, but one of my favorite critters is the eastern hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos), a stocky snake found [...]
Slugfest
Follow that trail of slime to an amazing creature. It walks on one foot, perches two eyes way over its head, and has a saddle [...]
I Am Mouse, Hear Me Roar
When Paul showed up at work with that coffee can full of mice babies, I knew I was perched on the zenith of the best [...]