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

    Fruity whiff may inspire new mosquito repellents

    Odors from ripening bananas can jam fruit flies’ and mosquitoes’ power to detect carbon dioxide, a new study finds.

  2. Animals

    Back off, extinct moa

    A New Zealand tree’s peculiar leaves may have served as defenses against long-gone giant birds.

  3. Animals

    Vocal abilities lost, found and drowned out

    Reports from the meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union

  4. Earth

    Rapid evolution may be reshaping forest birds’ wings

    Logging during the last century might have driven birds in mature boreal forests toward pointier wings while reforestation in New England led to rounder wings.

  5. Animals

    SOS: Call the ants

    Emergency ant workers bite at snares, dig and tug to free trapped sisters

  6. Life

    Vegetarian spider

    The first known spider with a predominantly meatless diet nibbles trees.

  7. Life

    Death-grip fungus made me do it

    Infection may be driving ants to set their jaws in low-hanging leaves before they die.

  8. Earth

    On plant invaders and bat fungus

    Researchers discuss invasive species and bat-infecting fungi at the Botany & Mycology 2009 meeting

  9. Smart from the start

    Animal embryos get some respect for their survival skills.

  10. Life

    Bent innards give orchid its kick

    Violent pollen delivery in Catasetum flowers gets its power from temporarily deformed inner strip

  11. Paleontology

    Fossil shows first all-American honeybee

    Nevada find contradicts long-held view of Europe and Asia as the native land of all honeybees.

  12. Animals

    Toucan’s bill gives big chill

    Bird’s supersized bill can switch personal air conditioning on and off, new research suggests.