Intimate insect secrets laid bare

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The sex life of bed bugs and how mosquitoes respond to human odours are among the secrets of the insect world to be laid bare by wildlife experts.

Scientists from around the world are gathering in Edinburgh for the Royal Entomological Society's Ento '07.

The three-day event, starting on Monday, covers everything from bumblebee memory to insect cannibalism.

The society will also set up a special research group to focus on unravelling the insect immune system.

Entomologists are attending from as far afield as Israel, Australia and the US.

Ento '07 runs at the University of Edinburgh until 18 July.

A spokeswoman said: "Particularly timely given the recent inclement weather will be a session on the effects of floods on aquatic invertebrate populations and communities."