Scientists Are Tracking Worrying Declines in Insects—and the Birds That Feast on Them. Here’s What’s Being Done to Save Them Both
In Vermont, researchers have investigated the types of creepy, crawly bugs that their avian predators consume and may have found the answers to keeping them both alive
The 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2025
From a barbecue capital in Texas to the site of the first offensive victory for American forces in the Revolutionary War in New York, these spots are worthy of a visit this year
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
Be Blown Away by These 15 Images of Beautiful Butterflies
These shots from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest show just why butterflies have floated into our hearts
Why Does This Endangered Butterfly Thrive After Hurricanes?
For Schaus’ swallowtail butterflies, the powerful storms mean clear skies and bright futures
U.S. Butterflies Are Disappearing at Drastic Rates, With One in Five Gone Since 2000
A new study finds the popular, fluttering insects have declined by 22 percent in the last 20 years
The Ten Most Awe-Inspiring Ocean Moments of 2024
From animal journeys across oceans to the discovery of dozens of new species in the deep sea, these stories wowed us
Monarch Butterflies Might Soon Be Listed as Threatened Under the Endangered Species Act
If a new proposal is adopted, the insects would become the most commonly seen species to be the subject of federal protection under this law
Where Do Butterflies Migrate From? Clues Can Be Found in Pollen on Their Bodies
Trillions of insects move around the globe each year. Scientists are working on new ways to map those long-distance journeys
Static Electricity May Help Butterflies and Moths Pick Up Pollen
A new study measured the insects’ electrostatic charges and used computer simulations to show that the charges were strong enough to lift pollen
See Ten Creepy-Crawly Portraits From the Insect Week Photography Contest
The Royal Entomological Society’s Photography Competition highlights the wonder and diversity of the six-legged creatures that crawl, swim and fly across the planet
These Stunning Butterflies Flew 2,600 Miles Across the Atlantic Ocean Without Stopping
Researchers combined several lines of evidence to solve the mystery of why a group of painted ladies, which do not live in South America, were found fluttering on a beach in French Guiana
Where Did Butterflies Come From? This Scientist Is On the Case
Akito Kawahara has spent his life devoted to lepidoptera. Now he’s correcting the record on where they first evolved
Monarch Butterflies Wintering in California Are Down 30 Percent From Last Year
The insects’ population is slowly rebounding from a historic low in 2020, but they remain in crisis, having declined by more than 95 percent since the 1980s
See the World Through the Eyes of Animals With These Stunning New Videos
By making ultraviolet light accessible to our eyes, a novel camera system reveals how insects, birds and other creatures experience color
Seven Scientific Discoveries From 2023 That Could Lead to New Inventions
Biologists learned lots about animals and plants this year, and their findings could inspire better robots, medicine and environmental technologies
See the Rediscovered Still Life by Forgotten 17th-Century Master Clara Peeters
The painting by the influential Flemish artist could sell for as much as $883,000 at auction
Monarch Butterflies’ Signature White Spots May Help Them Fly
These long-distance migrants could get a boost from their striking coloration, which may reduce drag by heating and cooling air unevenly
Butterfly Group With Fiery ‘Eyes’ Is Named After ‘Lord of the Rings’ Villain Sauron
Beyond their eye-like wing pattern, the two new species don’t seem to show any signs of evil that would link them to Mordor
New York’s Natural History Museum Unveils a Canyon-Like New Wing
With butterflies, bugs and an atrium that looks like it’s carved into rock, the Gilder Center will open its doors to the public on May 4
A Ring of Fire, Millions of Monarchs and Other Rare Natural Phenomena Worth Traveling For
Be in the right place at the right time to witness these sublime sights
Page 1 of 4