Cockroach Film Trailer

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be killed in a tragic accident, come back as a cockroach and then try to continue your romantic endeavours with your partner?

If so, then wonder no longer.....

(Thanks to Charlotte again!)

Cave Cockroaches

Thanks to Charlotte Coales (my  Natural History Museum colleague) for pointing this one out.

Charlotte and I are doing Nature Live this Friday on Cockroaches: From the Beginning (sadly without my perennial sidekick David Nicholson).

In the News: Beehives stop elephant crop-raids in Kenya, Africa

From the BBC: Beehives stop elephant crop-raids in Kenya, Africa  

Innovative beehive fences have helped a community in Kenya to successfully protect crops from elephants, according to research.

Scientists found the hives to be a very effective barrier; elephants turned away from them in 97% of their attempted raids.

Conservationists suggest that elephants' natural fear of bees could settle ongoing conflicts.
The hives' honey also produced additional profits for farmers.

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In the News: Stick insects survive one million years without sex

From BBC News: Stick insects survive one million years without sex

Stick insects have lived for one million years without sex, genetic research has revealed.
Scientists in Canada investigated the DNA of Timema stick insects, which live in shrubland around the west coast of the US. 

They traced the ancient lineages of two species to reveal the insects' lengthy history of asexual reproduction. 

The discovery could help researchers understand how life without sex is possible.

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In the News: 'Singing penis' sets noise record for water insect

From BBC News: 'Singing penis' sets noise record for water insect

Scientists from France and Scotland recorded the aquatic animal "singing" at up to 99.2 decibels, the equivalent of listening to a loud orchestra play while sitting in the front row. 

The insect makes the sound by rubbing its penis against its abdomen in a process known as "stridulation". 

Researchers say the song is a courtship display performed to attract a mate. 

Micronecta scholtzi are freshwater insects measuring just 2mm that are common across Europe.

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PSG Meeting (Demo Recording)

I have been thinking about recording some of the talks at the Phasmid Study Group meetings, this is a demonstration recording, the talk by Ian Bushell & Ian Abercrombie starts about 5 minutes in, following the tail end of the Q&A session.