PHOTO COLLECTION: Insect and Animal Life

Figures and Dobson trade jabs in testy debate, Here are the key takeaways

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Congressional hopefuls Shomari Figures and Caroleene Dobson clashed in a contentious debate Thursday, exchanging verbal jabs over each other's background and sparring over abortion, immigration and the economy. Figures, a Democrat, and Dobson, a Republican,...

Scientists recreate the head of this ancient 9-foot-long bug

WASHINGTON (AP) — As if the largest bug to ever live – a monster nearly 9 feet long with several dozen legs – wasn’t terrifying enough, scientists could only just imagine what the extinct beast’s head looked like. That’s because many of the fossils of these creatures are...

Hey, where's your card? Another Detroit-area library deals with bugs

OAK PARK, Mich. (AP) — Bugs in a library — again. The Oak Park Public Library in suburban Detroit was closed Wednesday for a scrubbing after bedbugs were found in two chairs in the computer area. A library nearby in Royal Oak was closed Sunday and part of Monday after staff said...

What to know about the Oropouche virus, also known as sloth fever

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 20 people returning to the U.S. from Cuba have been infected with a virus transmitted by bugs in recent months, federal health officials said Tuesday. They all had Oropouche virus disease, also known as sloth fever. None have died, and there is no evidence...

A rare orchid survives on a few tracts of prairie. Researchers want to learn its secrets

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — On a remote tallgrass prairie in North Dakota, a secretive orchid pokes up from the ground. You'll only find it if you know where to look. The striking, bright white blooms of the western prairie fringed orchid are elusive to fans who try to catch a glimpse...

A dreaded, tree-killing beetle has reached North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The emerald ash borer has been confirmed in North Dakota, the latest among dozens of states where the dreaded, tree-killing insect has spread, state officials said Thursday. Adult beetles were gathered this week from a trap near Edgeley in LaMoure County....

Playing matchmaker for your zucchini, and other tips for a summer garden favorite

Some of the most common questions I’m asked by backyard vegetable growers concern zucchini. The plants either produce like crazy, inspiring memes about gardeners anonymously leaving overflow harvests on their neighbors’ doorsteps, or they don’t produce any zucchini at all. ...

Swarm of dragonflies startles beachgoers in Rhode Island

WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) — A swarm of dragonflies stunned and surprised beachgoers over the weekend in Rhode Island. Thousands of the dragonflies, relatively large and often beautifully colored insects, descended on Misquamicut beach Saturday. Video of the dragonflies shows beachgoers...