Life sciences writer Susan Milius has been writing about botany, zoology and ecology for Science News since the last millennium. She worked at diverse publications before breaking into science writing and editing. After stints on the staffs of The Scientist, Science, International Wildlife and United Press International, she joined Science News. Three of Susan's articles have been selected to appear in editions of The Best American Science Writing.

All Stories by Susan Milius

  1. Animals

    Hawkmoths squeak their genitals at threatening bats

    Sounds of an approaching predator inspire ultrasonic rasping in insect prey.

  2. Animals

    Highlights from the Evolution 2013 meeting

    Selections from the meeting include a natural fish experiment, terrapins' light displays and why a variety of eye colors persist in people, presented June 21-25 in Snowbird, Utah.

  3. Animals

    Gut microbes may put barrier between species

    Wiping out gut bacteria in wasps saves crossbred offspring from death, suggesting that microbes may play a role in speciation.

  4. Animals

    Cicadas’ odd life cycle poses evolutionary conundrums

    Scientists are getting an idea about the odd family tree of periodical cicadas, how the insects synchronize their life cycles and why they breed side-by-side with others unsuitable for mating.

  5. Animals

    In dark fishing spiders, males’ postmating nap is permanent

    Species prepares for two pairings but goes into a fatal coma after a single encounter.

  6. Animals

    Butterflies’ tidy drinking tricks

    The long tube of the insects' mouthparts is fluid friendly only at the tip.

  7. Life

    In the real world, cheetahs rarely go all out

    Famous for speed, the big cats actually rely on acceleration and maneuverability to capture prey.

  8. Life

    As Brood II emerges, questions remain about cicada cycles

    The how and why of years lived underground are among the unsolved mysteries about the loud, obvious insects.

  9. Animals

    Lyrebirds dance to their own music

    In mating display, male birds match moves to songs.

  10. Animals

    Dead, live guppies vie for paternity

    Females can use sperm months after mates go belly up.

  11. Animals

    Two books explore the weirdest life on Earth

    Zombie Birds, Astronaut Fish and Other Weird Animals by Becky Crew and Weird Life by David Toomey.

  12. Animals

    How roaches developed disgust at first bite

    A change in taste cells makes glucose-baited traps repellent.