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

    For some birds, chancy climates mean better singers

    In the mockingbird family, the most accomplished musical species tend to live in treacherous climates.

  2. Animals

    Controversial polar bear rule stands

    Creature’s plight remains separate from decisions on greenhouse gas emissions.

  3. Life

    Suppress-the-mob gene found in queen termites

    Gene may help keep workers from illicit, royalty-threatening reproduction.

  4. Life

    Ants may be the Undead

    Living Argentine ant workers may carry the chemical signatures of death along with an override signal that says, "No undertaker needed yet."

  5. Animals

    Caterpillars’ chirp could be scary

    Larvae of great peacock moths might signal that they’ll put up a fight.

  6. Animals

    Swarm Savvy

    How bees, ants and other animals avoid dumb collective decisions

  7. Plants

    Landscaper’s darling hybridizes into an environmental nuisance

    Variation underlies the Callery pear tree’s transformation .

  8. Plants

    Oops, missed that tree

    Until now, an acacia common in its African homeland had no scientific name

  9. Animals

    Ants do real estate the simple way

    Tracking ants with anti-shoplifter RFID tags has inspired a new, simplified view of how a colony finds a home

  10. Plants

    Yo, aphid, I’m red and I’m bad

    Apple trees support the idea that red fall colors are a warning signal to insects.

  11. Animals

    Oh, he’s such a lab bird

    Bold flycatchers may be more likely than shy birds to get trapped for lab studies.

  12. Animals

    Sonar causes rock-concert effect in dolphins

    Test of recorded sonar causes temporary hearing impairment in dolphins.