StrangeSights: Fake tanks; Polish politicians spar over worms; and, pups bring joy in Turkey
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
“Insect apocalypse”: From flickering fireflies to lowly dung beetles, insects are vanishing
As the UN biodiversity summit gets underway in Montreal, GLORIA DICKIE, JULIA JANICKI and SIMON SCARR, of Reuters, report on what scientists are calling a global “insect apocalypse”…
A Sustainable Life: To help insects, make them welcome in your garden – here’s how
As the northern hemisphere transitions into spring, BRIAN LOVETT, a postdoctoral researcher at West Virginia University, looks – in an article first published on The Conversation, at how to invite insects into your garden…
Wow!: Farmers fight back – Making animal feed from a locust plague
BAZ RATNER, of Reuters, reports on hopes to turn locust into profits in Kenya…
Russia vaccine roll-out plan prompts virus mutation worries
London, UK Reuters Russia’s plan to roll-out its “Sputnik-V” COVID-19 vaccine even before full trials show how well it works is prompting concern among virus experts, who warn a partially effective shot may encourage the novel coronavirus to mutate. Viruses, including the pandemic SARS-CoV-2, are known for their ability to mutate all the time – […]
Fireflies threatened globally, with light pollution a glaring problem
Washington DC, US Reuters Fireflies are under threat globally, with familiar hazards such as habitat loss and pesticides compounded by another peril: humankind’s ubiquitous nighttime artificial light that plays havoc with their balletic nocturnal courtship, scientists said. In the most comprehensive worldwide assessment to date of dangers facing these flying beetles, researchers concluded that some […]
Can insects help clean up palm oil’s tarnished image?
Dubai, UAE Thomson Reuters Foundation A pioneering entrepreneur believes insects can help improve the reputation of the palm oil industry, which for years has been accused of causing widespread deforestation, while slashing commercial farming’s voracious water use. Patrick Crowley, founder of Chapul, the first insect protein foods company in the United States, is proposing a […]
Farming insects may solve one problem but create others, scientists warn
Thomson Reuters Foundation Insects have great potential as an alternative source of protein, but further research is urgently needed before mass production begins in order to avoid environment disaster, Swedish researchers warned Monday. There is currently an “overwhelming lack of knowledge” on basic questions such as suitable species, their housing and feed requirements, managing their […]
Grub’s up! Can insect pet food cut dogs’ carbon pawprint?
Thomson Reuters Foundation Love your dog, but worried about the environmental impact of their meat-heavy diet? Now one British company is offering a solution – feed your pooch insects instead. It launched a dry dog food on Thursday made from black soldier fly larvae in a bid to tackle the “carbon pawprint” created by pets […]
Edible insects hit supermarket shelves in UK first
Thomson Reuters Foundation Fancy some roasted crickets for a light snack? In the UK, you need look no further than in the local supermarket aisles. Sainsbury’s has become the first British supermarket chain to stock edible insects in a bid to boost sustainable food sources that produce fewer greenhouse gases. “Insect snacks should no longer […]