Subscribe to the OSS Weekly Newsletter!

How to Beat a Fruit Fly Infestation

19 Sep 2025

As I type this, I occasionally have to pause and swat away tiny annoying flying bugs that seem drawn specifically to my face. In light of my plight, let’s look at some fruit fly science –...

How Come You Never See a Baby Housefly?

16 Jul 2021

Simple. Because baby houseflies don’t exist. A little backgrounder on the flies’ reproductive cycle can clear up this apparent conundrum. Within a week of mating, a doggie-style activity lasting...

Queen Ants Don’t Have a Divine Right to Their Thrones, Just the Right Genetics

2 Aug 2018

Humans have classified more than 12,500 species of ants, and there are an estimated 10,000 more waiting to be discovered. Besides their incredible strength, almost all of these species have...

Do Not Mess with a Bombardier Beetle!

28 Dec 2017

Why not? Because you risk being sprayed with a hot solution containing irritant chemicals known as benzoquinones.  In all likelihood it would be a memorable, but unhappy experience.  Based on their...

Back to top