Âé¶¹´«Ã½

Bug breath blows us away

20 December 2003

INSECTS breathe differently from how we thought. For centuries, scientists assumed insects allowed air to diffuse passively through their bodies via a branched network of tubes called tracheae.

Now we know the six-legged beasts work for their oxygen, drawing breath by actively squeezing and releasing the tracheae in their head and thorax like tiny bellows.

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with Âé¶¹´«Ã½ events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, today with our introductory offers

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop