Editorial Policy

This page explains how we decide what to publish and how we keep it accurate.

What we publish

We publish pages that answer a real question about insects better than a reader could easily find elsewhere: how to identify an insect, how it lives, whether it causes harm, and what can be done about it. We do not publish pages to fill a topic list. If two pages would answer the same question, we combine them.

How pages are researched

Writers work from the sources described in our sources policy, starting with university extension publications, federal and state agencies, natural history museums and peer-reviewed research. Facts such as size ranges, life-cycle timings, species distributions and health risks are checked against at least one authoritative source, and the sources used are listed at the end of the page.

Where sources disagree, which happens with sizes and timings, we say so or give the range. Where classification has changed, such as termites moving into the order Blattodea, we use the current arrangement and explain the older names readers will still meet.

Illustrations

The drawings on this site are original illustrations made for Insects Explained. They show diagnostic features such as antenna shape, wing length and body divisions, and many include a scale bar. They are simplified and are not a substitute for examining a specimen.

Safety and pest-control content

Our pest-control pages explain how methods work and where they fit in integrated pest management. We do not publish pesticide mixing ratios or application rates, and we do not give instructions for restricted-use products or fumigants. Pesticide labels are legal documents; always read and follow the label. Pages that touch on bites, stings or disease point readers to medical professionals and public-health sources.

Independence

Editorial decisions are made by Insects Explained. We do not let advertisers or businesses review or change our content before publication. If we publish sponsored content, affiliate links or paid placements, they will be clearly labeled.

Authors and reviewers

Pages are written and edited by the Insects Explained editors. As we add named contributors and subject-matter reviewers, their names and qualifications will appear on the pages they write or review. We do not list credentials we cannot document.

Updates

Each page shows its publication date and, when changed, the date it was last updated. We revisit pages when guidance from agencies or extension services changes, when readers report problems, and on a regular review cycle.

Corrections

If you find an error, please tell us. Our corrections policy explains how we handle reports.