BOT or NOT? This special series explores the evolving relationship between humans and machines, examining the ways that robots, artificial intelligence and automation are impacting our work and lives.

Viruses are master parasites that have adapted to infect many host species. Some viruses even use multiple hosts to spread their infections—such as arboviruses that use insects to move their ...

Engineers have studied how insects navigate, for the purpose of developing energy-efficient robots. With a brain the size of a pinhead, insects perform fantastic navigational feats. They avoid ...

A light poke is sometimes enough to make an insect collapse into complete stillness. Legs fold in, movement stops, and, for a few moments or even much longer, the animal appears lifeless.