Robot Beetle

Seems like the MIT guys have been making progress. Would be great to try and learn something about insect interactions in the wild using this.

Cockroach Crockery

I want some! Order them from here.

Treehoppers

For more head over to The Other 95%.

Jumping Spider Eyes

Head over to Ugly Overload for this and more cute looking arachnids.

A disadvantage to being an invert?

Thanks to The Other 95%.

Mutant Lobster

Another thing from the folks at Zooillogix - this time a mutant four-clawed lobster. Well worth checking out!

Peppermint Stick Insect

The Peppermint Stick Insect, Megacrania batesii, is not only a fantastic looking insect, it also gives off a peppermint scent when disturbed.

This photo comes from Zooillogix, where there is also some more information about this species.

This is not the first appearance of the genus Megacrania on Invertebrate Diaries, a closely related species, Megacrania tsuadi, has already graced these virtual pages.

For more information on Megacrania check them out at the Phasmid Study Group website here or the Phasmida Species File website here.

Monarch butterflies

I have mentioned the Monarch butterfly before. I have just discovered a National Geographic video (thanks to The Other 95%) that has some pretty amazing footage. I have embedded the video below.

Ants

Over at The Ant Room Kari has dug up a video that I haven't seen for a long time about filling an ant nest with concrete and then excavating it. It's fascinating stuff, and is posted below as part of your intellectual five-a-day.