"Insect Days"

#12712612

4 Sep 2025

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) speaks to reporters following a press conference with Epstein's survivors on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, in Washington, D.C., U.S., on September 3, 2025. Massie and other members of Congress have filed a discharge petition to force a vote on the bill, which would require release of all unclassified Department of Justice records related to Epstein within 30 days.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12602758

1 Aug 2025

The Brushlegged Mayfly (Ephemeroptera) is in Old Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, on June 26, 2025. Mayflies are unique among insects in that they moult one more time after acquiring functional wings; this is also known as the alate stage. This last-but-one winged instar usually lives a very short time, often a matter of hours, and is known as a subimago or, to fly fishermen, as a dun. Mayflies in this stage are a favorite food of many fish, and many fishing flies are modeled to resemble them. The adult mayflies are short-lived, from a few minutes to a few days depending on the species. About 2,500 species of mayflies are known worldwide, including about 630 species in North America.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#12523777

3 Jul 2025

The Brushlegged Mayfly (Ephemeroptera) is in Old Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Mayflies are unique among insects because they moult one more time after acquiring functional wings, known as the alate stage. This penultimate winged instar usually lives a very short time, often a matter of hours, and is known as a subimago or, to fly fishermen, as a dun. Mayflies in this stage are a favorite food of many fish, and many fishing flies are modeled to resemble them. The adult mayflies are short-lived, from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the species. About 2,500 species of mayflies are known worldwide, including about 630 species in North America.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#11244148

16 May 2024

The yellow paper wasp (Polistes olivaceus), also known as tattaiyas, is recognized for its strikingly vivid yellow coloration, an uncommon characteristic among wasp species. Their unique thermal regulatory system enables them to thrive in various climates. The Indian yellow paper wasp lays 10-20 eggs after establishing a nest. The eggs take about 6.5 days to develop into immature stages, and the entire colony cycle lasts about 270 days. Yellow paper wasps play a significant role in the ecosystem as pollinators and by preying on certain insect pests. They construct paper-like nests that resemble umbrellas. The yellow paper wasp has a stinger at its tail, which can sting people. However, it is not aggressive and rarely attacks humans unless it feels threatened. Nevertheless, it should be treated with caution as its sting is very painful and can cause redness and swelling. The photo of the yellow paper wasp nest was taken in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on May 16, 2024.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#11244158

16 May 2024

The yellow paper wasp (Polistes olivaceus), also known as tattaiyas, is recognized for its strikingly vivid yellow coloration, an uncommon characteristic among wasp species. Their unique thermal regulatory system enables them to thrive in various climates. The Indian yellow paper wasp lays 10-20 eggs after establishing a nest. The eggs take about 6.5 days to develop into immature stages, and the entire colony cycle lasts about 270 days. Yellow paper wasps play a significant role in the ecosystem as pollinators and by preying on certain insect pests. They construct paper-like nests that resemble umbrellas. The yellow paper wasp has a stinger at its tail, which can sting people. However, it is not aggressive and rarely attacks humans unless it feels threatened. Nevertheless, it should be treated with caution as its sting is very painful and can cause redness and swelling. The photo of the yellow paper wasp nest was taken in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on May 16, 2024.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#11244160

16 May 2024

The yellow paper wasp (Polistes olivaceus), also known as tattaiyas, is recognized for its strikingly vivid yellow coloration, an uncommon characteristic among wasp species. Their unique thermal regulatory system enables them to thrive in various climates. The Indian yellow paper wasp lays 10-20 eggs after establishing a nest. The eggs take about 6.5 days to develop into immature stages, and the entire colony cycle lasts about 270 days. Yellow paper wasps play a significant role in the ecosystem as pollinators and by preying on certain insect pests. They construct paper-like nests that resemble umbrellas. The yellow paper wasp has a stinger at its tail, which can sting people. However, it is not aggressive and rarely attacks humans unless it feels threatened. Nevertheless, it should be treated with caution as its sting is very painful and can cause redness and swelling. The photo of the yellow paper wasp nest was taken in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on May 16, 2024.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#11115474

2 Apr 2024

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) is an insect in the family Pentatomidae, native to China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian regions. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) was accidentally introduced to the United States in 1998. It is currently spreading throughout most of eastern and western North America, with the highest concentrations found in the Mid-Atlantic region. The BMSB is proving to be a nuisance for homeowners and can be devastating for farmers. It is feeding on a variety of plants, including fruit trees, ornamentals, and some crops. It is also entering houses in large numbers on warm fall days in search of overwintering sites. Adults are about 17 mm long and are shades of brown on both the upper and lower body surfaces. They are shield-shaped and almost as wide as they are long. The BMSB has piercing-sucking mouthparts and is feeding on fruits, seeds, stems, and leaves. It can switch hosts throughout the season, moving from plants with early-ripening fruits to those with late-ripening fruits. Most stink bugs do not bite, sting, or spread disease. The most harm most stink bugs cause is the ill-smelling substance they release as a defense tactic or if accidentally crushed. A Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is being observed sitting on potatoes and leaves of clover in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on April 2, 2024.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#11115475

2 Apr 2024

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha Halys) Is An Insect In The Family Pentatomidae, Native To China, Japan, Korea, And Other Asian Regions. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Was Accidentally Introduced To The United States In 1998. It Has Since Spread Throughout Most Of Eastern And Western North America, With The Highest Concentrations Found In The Mid-Atlantic Region. The BMSB Is A Nuisance For Homeowners And Can Be Devastating For Farmers. It Feeds On A Variety Of Plants, Including Fruit Trees, Ornamentals, And Some Crops. It Can Also Enter Houses In Large Numbers On Warm Fall Days In Search Of Overwintering Sites. Adults Are About 17 Mm Long And Are Shades Of Brown On Both The Upper And Lower Body Surfaces. They Are Shield-shaped And Almost As Wide As They Are Long. The BMSB Has Piercing-sucking Mouthparts And Feeds On Fruits, Seeds, Stems, And Leaves. It Can Switch Hosts Throughout The Season, Moving From Plants With Early-ripening Fruits To Those With Late-ripening Fruits. Most Stink Bugs Do Not Bite, Sting Or Spread Disease. The Most Harm Most Stink Bugs Cause Is The Ill-smelling Substance They Release As A Defense Tactic Or If Accidentally Crushed. A Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Was Observed Sitting On Potatoes And Leaves Of Clover At Tehatta, West Bengal, India, On 02/04/2024.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#10463920

5 Sep 2023

A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. About 3,000 extant species of true dragonflies are known. An adult dragonfly's compound eyes have nearly 24,000 ommatidia each. Dragonflies are predatory insects, both in their aquatic nymphal stage (also known as ''naiads'') and as adults. In some species, the nymphal stage lasts up to five years, and the adult stage may be as long as 10 weeks, but most species have an adult lifespan in the order of five weeks or less, and some survive for only a few days. They are fast, agile fliers capable of highly accurate aerial ambush, sometimes migrating across oceans, and often live near water. Fossils of very large dragonfly-like insects, sometimes called griffinflies, are found from 325 million years ago (Mya) in Upper Carboniferous rocks.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#10463922

5 Sep 2023

A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. About 3,000 extant species of true dragonflies are known. An adult dragonfly's compound eyes have nearly 24,000 ommatidia each. Dragonflies are predatory insects, both in their aquatic nymphal stage (also known as ''naiads'') and as adults. In some species, the nymphal stage lasts up to five years, and the adult stage may be as long as 10 weeks, but most species have an adult lifespan in the order of five weeks or less, and some survive for only a few days. They are fast, agile fliers capable of highly accurate aerial ambush, sometimes migrating across oceans, and often live near water. Fossils of very large dragonfly-like insects, sometimes called griffinflies, are found from 325 million years ago (Mya) in Upper Carboniferous rocks.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#10463924

5 Sep 2023

A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. About 3,000 extant species of true dragonflies are known. An adult dragonfly's compound eyes have nearly 24,000 ommatidia each. Dragonflies are predatory insects, both in their aquatic nymphal stage (also known as ''naiads'') and as adults. In some species, the nymphal stage lasts up to five years, and the adult stage may be as long as 10 weeks, but most species have an adult lifespan in the order of five weeks or less, and some survive for only a few days. They are fast, agile fliers capable of highly accurate aerial ambush, sometimes migrating across oceans, and often live near water. Fossils of very large dragonfly-like insects, sometimes called griffinflies, are found from 325 million years ago (Mya) in Upper Carboniferous rocks.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#10373248

15 Aug 2023

Most of Pyrrhocoridae is a family of insects that are red-colored and are known as red bugs or called cotton stainers because their feeding activities leave an indelible yellow-brownish stain on cotton crops. Like other true bugs, cotton stainers suck fluids from their host plants. The only part of the cotton plant affected by this pest is the flower and the seed capsule or boll. As this develops, the insect thrusts its rostrum between the carpels and sucks fluids from the still-soft seeds inside. Micro-organisms are admitted in the process and may make the boll contents rot or the lint become discolored. Meanwhile, the seeds wither, the fibers may fail to expand and the boll may abort. When the seeds of a host plant ripen and it becomes unsuitable, the adult insects migrate to new host plants of the same or different species. While away from their hosts, they feed on the nectar and fruit of non-host plants and can survive for several days without food. A nymph of Pyrrhocoridae feeds fruit with a saliva-like substance, known as proboscis (rostrum), a long tube-like mouth part by which hemipterans feed, with the help of it the fruit is hanging on Its mouth at Tehatta, West Bengal; India on 15/08/2023.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#10373252

15 Aug 2023

Most of Pyrrhocoridae is a family of insects that are red-colored and are known as red bugs or called cotton stainers because their feeding activities leave an indelible yellow-brownish stain on cotton crops. Like other true bugs, cotton stainers suck fluids from their host plants. The only part of the cotton plant affected by this pest is the flower and the seed capsule or boll. As this develops, the insect thrusts its rostrum between the carpels and sucks fluids from the still-soft seeds inside. Micro-organisms are admitted in the process and may make the boll contents rot or the lint become discolored. Meanwhile, the seeds wither, the fibers may fail to expand and the boll may abort. When the seeds of a host plant ripen and it becomes unsuitable, the adult insects migrate to new host plants of the same or different species. While away from their hosts, they feed on the nectar and fruit of non-host plants and can survive for several days without food. A nymph of Pyrrhocoridae feeds fruit with a saliva-like substance, known as proboscis (rostrum), a long tube-like mouth part by which hemipterans feed, with the help of it the fruit is hanging on Its mouth at Tehatta, West Bengal; India on 15/08/2023.

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#10238256

5 Jul 2023

The lime butterfly or lemon butterfly or lime swallowtail or chequered swallowtail (Papilio demoleus) is a common and widespread swallowtail butterfly. These common names refer to their host plants, which are usually citrus species such as cultivated lime. Unlike most swallowtail butterflies, it does not have a prominent tail. When the adult stage is taken into consideration, the lime swallowtail is the shortest-lived butterfly, with male adults dying after four days and females after a week. The butterfly is native to Asia and Australia and can be considered an invasive pest in other parts of the world. The Lime Butterfly caterpillars in all instars possess a fleshy organ called osmeterium in the prothoracic segment. Usually hidden, the osmeterium can be everted to emit a foul-smelling secretion when the caterpillar is threatened. A caterpillar of the lemon butterfly is in the 5th or final instar eating leaves to prepare itself to before pupal stage in a forest at Tehatta, West Bengal, India on 05/07/2023.oto by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#10238258

5 Jul 2023

The lime butterfly or lemon butterfly or lime swallowtail or chequered swallowtail (Papilio demoleus) is a common and widespread swallowtail butterfly. These common names refer to their host plants, which are usually citrus species such as cultivated lime. Unlike most swallowtail butterflies, it does not have a prominent tail. When the adult stage is taken into consideration, the lime swallowtail is the shortest-lived butterfly, with male adults dying after four days and females after a week. The butterfly is native to Asia and Australia and can be considered an invasive pest in other parts of the world. The Lime Butterfly caterpillars in all instars possess a fleshy organ called osmeterium in the prothoracic segment. Usually hidden, the osmeterium can be everted to emit a foul-smelling secretion when the caterpillar is threatened. A caterpillar of the lemon butterfly is in the 5th or final instar eating leaves to prepare itself to before pupal stage in a forest at Tehatta, West Bengal, India on 05/07/2023.oto by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.

#10238260

5 Jul 2023

The lime butterfly or lemon butterfly or lime swallowtail or chequered swallowtail (Papilio demoleus) is a common and widespread swallowtail butterfly. These common names refer to their host plants, which are usually citrus species such as cultivated lime. Unlike most swallowtail butterflies, it does not have a prominent tail. When the adult stage is taken into consideration, the lime swallowtail is the shortest-lived butterfly, with male adults dying after four days and females after a week. The butterfly is native to Asia and Australia and can be considered an invasive pest in other parts of the world. The Lime Butterfly caterpillars in all instars possess a fleshy organ called osmeterium in the prothoracic segment. Usually hidden, the osmeterium can be everted to emit a foul-smelling secretion when the caterpillar is threatened. A caterpillar of the lemon butterfly is in the 5th or final instar eating leaves to prepare itself to before pupal stage in a forest at Tehatta, West Bengal, India on 05/07/2023.oto by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)

Restricted to Editorial Use Only.
Commercial use is not permitted without prior authorization.
Please contact us for more information.