How insects shape our world Michael Gross  Current Biology  Volume 27, Issue 8, Pages R283-R285 (April 2017) DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.005 Copyright © 2017 Terms and Conditions

Circle of life: Fairy circles in Namibia have caused lively debates Circle of life: Fairy circles in Namibia have caused lively debates. Recent modelling suggests that both feedback regulation of plant growth and competition between insect states play a role in creating these patterns. (Photo: Jen Guyton, www.jenguyton.com) Current Biology 2017 27, R283-R285DOI: (10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.005) Copyright © 2017 Terms and Conditions

Cutting edge: Leaf-cutting ants run a sophisticated operation of cultivating fungi for food, which they feed with plant material. Experiments show that their dedicated waste disposal rooms serve as a memory bank for the knowledge of plants to be avoided. (Photo: Geoff Gallice/Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0.) Current Biology 2017 27, R283-R285DOI: (10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.005) Copyright © 2017 Terms and Conditions

Lunch time: Spiders are estimated to be the most proficient predators of insects (including honey bees) — their annual consumption of six-legged prey rivals humanity’s intake of meat and fish. (Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0.) Current Biology 2017 27, R283-R285DOI: (10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.005) Copyright © 2017 Terms and Conditions