Susan Milius

Susan Milius

Life Sciences Writer

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

    Butterflies’ tidy drinking tricks

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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Animals

    Lyrebirds dance to their own music

    In mating display, male birds match moves to songs.

  5. Animals

    Dead, live guppies vie for paternity

    Females can use sperm months after mates go belly up.

  6. 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.

  7. Animals

    How roaches developed disgust at first bite

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

  8. Life

    Invasive frogs may spread deadly amphibian fungus

    African clawed frogs imported for 20th century pregnancy tests apparently communicate B. dendrobatidis to native species.

  9. Animals

    Cannibalistic spiders may just be choosy guys

    Male Micaria sociabilis may choose to have older female for lunch, not sex.

  10. Animals

    Malaria mosquito dosed with disease-fighting bacteria

    After thousands of tries, lab gets parasite-carrying insect to catch Wolbachia.

  11. Life

    Bees need honey’s natural pharmaceuticals

    Ingredients trigger insects' genes for detoxification and immune defenses against bacteria.

  12. Life

    So far, the great tit has coped with climate change

    Earlier arrival of birds’ food due to warming temperatures hasn’t yet reduced bird population.