My winter course in entomology has come to an end and I have learned many things about the seen and unseen world of insects. The books discussed in class only scratched the surface when they discussed the spectacular behaviors and anatomy of insects. Myths regarding infamous insects were crushed and clarified with facts and truth. (Let it be known that the damnable cockroach will be obliterated from the earth if nuclear war were to occur.) Through the class, I was able to discover that insects have played major yet indirect roles in the development of humanity and its culture. It has been theorized that, without parasitic wasps, kingdom Mammallia would have gone down a different path.
I held a Madagascar hissing cockroach. I have a minute collection of moths that I taxonomically prepared. I came to know more about Alabama's collection of overwintering insects by exploring her forests. Modern views and utilizations of insects were discussed. Medicines, architecture, green houses, robots and more have been inspired by unique properties of insects. I learned that even more is unknown about insects. The possibilities seem unlimited as more insects are identified and described. Humans will continue to live smarter and closer to the environment with continued study of insects and other arthropods.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Khepri's Beetles
When I was younger, the mention of scarabs would send shivers down my spine. I had watched The Mummy and The Mummy Returns so many times that I would have nightmares of being eaten alive with the creatures crawling beneath my skin only to splurge out of my mouth. Occasionally, Brendan Fraser would come to the rescue. Other nights, I would be one of many zombies with a scarab in the brain chanting, "Imhotep." Those nights were rough. Needless to say, trips to Egypt were out of the question. After several days, the dreams subsided. Only after a few years did I find out that the scarab beetle doesn't favor human flesh. Instead, they happen to be the pickiest of eaters for the strangest food: poop. Scarabs will only have the finest grade-A, grass-fed poop. With this exchange for a less disturbing piece of information, my younger self closed the source and walked away less scared of the world and its inhabitants.
It was not until yesterday that the vast Scarabaeidae family caught my eye once again. There was a link on my Entomology course's page that consisted of several speakers talking about the diverse family of beetles. One of the speakers devoted his time to discuss the interesting nature of dung beetles. In addition to the plethora of jokes about poop, he discussed the precision dung beetles show when transporting dung to their nests. According to the speaker, dung beetles make use of the sun's position to navigate the hot terrain of Africa. When the sun disappears below the horizon, the beetles will continue their trek across the deserts with the guidance of the band of polarized light in the atmosphere. It was really cool how they were able prove that the beetles use the polarized band. A scientist place a filtered lens of about two feet in diameter over the the dung beetle. Once the lens was over the dung beetle, the insect showed signs of disorientation and went in random directions before it finally was no longer under the lens. When escaped the filtered light, it resumed in the same direction it had been going before it encountered the lens.
Not only does the piece of dung serve as a food source for these beetles, but it also serves a cold reservoir on which dung beetles use to regulate body temperature as they travel over the hot sands. During a hot day, a dung beetle will frequently climb on top of the ball of dung to have the heat flow out of the beetle's "hands" and into the dung.
According to another speaker, beetles make up approximately a fourth of all the life on Earth. These insects are one of the most resourceful creatures on the planet. Dung beetles may survive on one of the most deplorable foods, but they survive. Statistically speaking, one out of four living creatures is most likely a beetle. I'm actually fine with this statistic as long as I am Paul or Ringo.
See why they scared me?!
It was not until yesterday that the vast Scarabaeidae family caught my eye once again. There was a link on my Entomology course's page that consisted of several speakers talking about the diverse family of beetles. One of the speakers devoted his time to discuss the interesting nature of dung beetles. In addition to the plethora of jokes about poop, he discussed the precision dung beetles show when transporting dung to their nests. According to the speaker, dung beetles make use of the sun's position to navigate the hot terrain of Africa. When the sun disappears below the horizon, the beetles will continue their trek across the deserts with the guidance of the band of polarized light in the atmosphere. It was really cool how they were able prove that the beetles use the polarized band. A scientist place a filtered lens of about two feet in diameter over the the dung beetle. Once the lens was over the dung beetle, the insect showed signs of disorientation and went in random directions before it finally was no longer under the lens. When escaped the filtered light, it resumed in the same direction it had been going before it encountered the lens.
Not only does the piece of dung serve as a food source for these beetles, but it also serves a cold reservoir on which dung beetles use to regulate body temperature as they travel over the hot sands. During a hot day, a dung beetle will frequently climb on top of the ball of dung to have the heat flow out of the beetle's "hands" and into the dung.
According to another speaker, beetles make up approximately a fourth of all the life on Earth. These insects are one of the most resourceful creatures on the planet. Dung beetles may survive on one of the most deplorable foods, but they survive. Statistically speaking, one out of four living creatures is most likely a beetle. I'm actually fine with this statistic as long as I am Paul or Ringo.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Beetles of Our Lady
The times have changed, fellas. Social standards have been raised in regards to the treatment and perception of a lady. While many men continue to view women only at the surface, other men have delved deep into the ladies mind to find that more takes place between their ears besides cooking, gossiping, and raising children. Respect is accumulating for women in the workplace. With this in mind, I'd like to point out the superficiality our society has shown toward another lady of sorts: the ladybug. When a person thinks of a ladybug, the person's train of thought goes straight to the famous patterns on the ladybug's elytra (wing covers). This elytra covers over half of the insects body. How superficial is that?! Once the person spends some time thinking about the patterns on the elytra, the person's train of thought drifts to another station. These insects should be given more respect for the goodwill they have shown humans and I will give them due respect by enlightening any audience about the cute insects.
First, ladybugs are not actually bugs. They are a group of beetles of the name Coccinellidae. Entomologists refer to the group in general as lady beetles. This group of insects consist mostly of insectivores that feed on a great number of smaller insects such as aphids and scale insects. Aphids are among the many pests that farmers have suffered throughout time. A species of lady beetle, the multicolored Asian lady beetle, has been utilized for pest control in several locations in the U.S.
Lady beetles will go through a complete metamorphosis in their life cycle. A female lady beetle will lay her eggs near a colony of aphids after mating with a male. Several days after the eggs have been laid, larvae will emerge to feast on the aphids. The larvae will undergo three molting stages before pupating. Five to seven days will pass before an adult emerges from the molted shell. I've never seen a lady beetle larva and it's amazing how different it looks from the adult form.
I was curious as to how lady beetles were given their name. Were the majority of lady beetles female? After middle school biology, I would have become skeptical of this theory because I learned that a male and a female are required to produce offspring for most species of animalia. After a few winter entomology class sessions, I would have accepted the theory because I learned that some insects (such as parasitic wasps) are capable of producing offspring without a mate. My theory was finally shot down when I encountered a blog that discussed the origin of the lady beetles name. According to this blog (http://babystepsjmj.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-lady-bug-got-its-name.html), the lady beetle acquired its name in medieval times. European farmers faced long famines due to infestations of tiny insects that feasted on their crops. Many prayed to the Virgin Mary for relief from hunger. Soon, swarms of lady beetles aggregated to the fields to feed on the small insects. The beetles were referred to as "Beetles of Our Lady". Our common use of the term "bug" to describe any arthropod most likely influenced the American name for lady beetles.
Some lady beetles have become minor household pests. During the winter, many species of lady beetles search for dry and warm shelters to overwinter. Human dwellings suit them just fine. Several home owners have found swarms of lady beetles in remote corners of their houses. When lady beetles feel threatened, they will intentionally bleed out. Their "blood" gives off a rank odor and can be rather poisonous if consumed. I can only imagine the perturbed faces of the home owner who realizes that simple extermination with the shoe simply won't do.
Similar to the narcissist's view that the world was created for his own enjoyment, the unenlightened might think that the lady beetle's elytra appear the way they do simply to amuse him. The evolutionist begs to differ. Potential prey have developed a certain set of colors (variations of red, yellow and orange) to warn predators that eating them would be detrimental to the predator's health. When a predator eats a lady beetle, the predator will become sick and learn to avoid the consumption of these insects.
Hopefully this post will enlighten and adjust a person's perception of this beetle. Not only will they be pleasing to see; they will be admired for helping the farmers in dire circumstances.
First, ladybugs are not actually bugs. They are a group of beetles of the name Coccinellidae. Entomologists refer to the group in general as lady beetles. This group of insects consist mostly of insectivores that feed on a great number of smaller insects such as aphids and scale insects. Aphids are among the many pests that farmers have suffered throughout time. A species of lady beetle, the multicolored Asian lady beetle, has been utilized for pest control in several locations in the U.S.
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| Dinner Time |
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| Larval stage of the Lady Beetle |
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| The red and spots found on the Lady's Beetle was said to represent Mary's joys and sorrows. |
Similar to the narcissist's view that the world was created for his own enjoyment, the unenlightened might think that the lady beetle's elytra appear the way they do simply to amuse him. The evolutionist begs to differ. Potential prey have developed a certain set of colors (variations of red, yellow and orange) to warn predators that eating them would be detrimental to the predator's health. When a predator eats a lady beetle, the predator will become sick and learn to avoid the consumption of these insects.
Hopefully this post will enlighten and adjust a person's perception of this beetle. Not only will they be pleasing to see; they will be admired for helping the farmers in dire circumstances.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Bugs in Blue
Some people have a difficult time believing that insects play a major role in the average human's life. Besides the ecologist's rant about the utmost care we must take to maintain balance in the ecosystem lest we take away the one thing that has set our planet apart from the innumerable heavenly bodies throughout the universe (life), what if I were to tell you that bugs help solve murder?
A class session for my class, Winter Entomology, was spent watching season 1 episode 10 of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation- Sex, Lies, and Larvae". During the episode, three cases are followed and solved: a robbery, a missing (and scandalous) wife, and a murder. The episode begins at the location of the murdered victim. The body is swarming with paper wasps and a specific carrion insect when the body is found. One of the detectives is a forensic entomologist and takes several of these specimens out of the body for further study. Using a made up word to identify the process of determining the time of death through the examination of the carrion insect's larvae size and features, the detective was able to determine not only the time of death but also the relative location of the murder.
The episode itself was erroneous in many ways. The identified carrion fly's usual was found to be farther east in the country. The forensic entomologist's experiments designed to determine the delay of the growth of fly larvae were flawed. Many more holes in the show's validity were found. However, these errors are justified by the screenwriter's desire to move the story along at a pace that would give the other cases time to be solved coherently. Additionally, the screenwriter wasn't expecting one of the first ten episode of the series to be critically analyzed for entomological purposes.
Despite the discrepancies in the forensic analysis, insects do in fact help solve murder cases. An insect that has had its life cycle thoroughly examined can help determine the time of death, and in some cases, the location.
Forensic entomology has been used before this utilization of life cycles was discovered. The earliest case in which forensic entomology helped solve a murder occurred in the fourteenth century. A farmer had been found slashed to death. The local magistrate believed that the person that killed the farmer had used a sickle, so he gathered all of the farmers together with their sickles. All of the sickles were clean as far as the magistrate could see. Within a few minutes, however, flies swarmed around one particular sickle. The flies could sense the blood still on the blade and the murderer confessed.
While I believe that insects should be given the same respect other kingdoms of Animalia receive simply because life is actually quite rare, the fact insects can be utilized to solve human affairs is by no account something to overlook.
Just to creep out the insectophobic:
A class session for my class, Winter Entomology, was spent watching season 1 episode 10 of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation- Sex, Lies, and Larvae". During the episode, three cases are followed and solved: a robbery, a missing (and scandalous) wife, and a murder. The episode begins at the location of the murdered victim. The body is swarming with paper wasps and a specific carrion insect when the body is found. One of the detectives is a forensic entomologist and takes several of these specimens out of the body for further study. Using a made up word to identify the process of determining the time of death through the examination of the carrion insect's larvae size and features, the detective was able to determine not only the time of death but also the relative location of the murder.
The episode itself was erroneous in many ways. The identified carrion fly's usual was found to be farther east in the country. The forensic entomologist's experiments designed to determine the delay of the growth of fly larvae were flawed. Many more holes in the show's validity were found. However, these errors are justified by the screenwriter's desire to move the story along at a pace that would give the other cases time to be solved coherently. Additionally, the screenwriter wasn't expecting one of the first ten episode of the series to be critically analyzed for entomological purposes.
Despite the discrepancies in the forensic analysis, insects do in fact help solve murder cases. An insect that has had its life cycle thoroughly examined can help determine the time of death, and in some cases, the location.
Forensic entomology has been used before this utilization of life cycles was discovered. The earliest case in which forensic entomology helped solve a murder occurred in the fourteenth century. A farmer had been found slashed to death. The local magistrate believed that the person that killed the farmer had used a sickle, so he gathered all of the farmers together with their sickles. All of the sickles were clean as far as the magistrate could see. Within a few minutes, however, flies swarmed around one particular sickle. The flies could sense the blood still on the blade and the murderer confessed.
While I believe that insects should be given the same respect other kingdoms of Animalia receive simply because life is actually quite rare, the fact insects can be utilized to solve human affairs is by no account something to overlook.
Just to creep out the insectophobic:
Monday, January 27, 2014
Please, for the love of God, go toward the light!
In Dr. May Berembaum's book The Earwig's Tail, I found a particularly useful piece of information that may save a couple of bucks for those who wish to relax on their porch. Apparently, thousands of porch-sitters have been swindled into purchasing bug zappers. These devices advertise the annihilation of mosquitos and other flying pests in the back yard. According to Berenbaum, bug zappers do indeed zap bugs but not the bugs intended to kill. Instead, moths and various nocturnal arthropods are enticed to their death like the unfortunate sailors who encountered the sirens.
The majority of mosquitos will ignore the eerie light. Wherever there is a bug zapper, people seem to be found remotely close to the diabolical lighthouse. Therefore, mosquitos continue their predacious behavior. No matter how many modified jolly rogers show a mosquito's head on crossed bones are found on the box, the chances that a mosquito will be electrocuted are slim.
I wasn't surprised when Berembaum broke the news to me. Earlier experiences had hinted at the false advertising of bug zappers. In the humid nights at Camp Hood, my fellow scouts and I would huddle under a kerosene lamp to play poker on a dilapidated table. While we played, shadows would dance on the cards as moths and hard shelled insects revolved around the lamp like electrons surrounding a nucleus. Moths of various colors (pink and yellow, black and white, orange) descended to the table, occasionally. Black beetles would land on our cards upside down. We would brush them off the cards and just watch them struggle like a turtle on its shell become upright again. Out of all the insects that the light attracted, the mosquito never showed any interest in the lamp. However, the mosquitos showed great interest in the bags of blood playing Texas Hold 'em in the middle of the forest.
My suspicions were confirmed a year or two later when my parents bought a bug zapper for the back yard. That piece of junk helped the enemy more than it helped my family. With the contradictory lighthouse in sight, my family had more outside meals in ignorance as to what bugs were actually being killed when the zapper zapped. It took a few weeks for my parents to realize that the mosquito population wasn't decreasing. Soon, the family was back indoors eating in the complete comfort of our home.
Repellents will have to satisfy those who wish to enjoy the warmth and luxuries of the outdoors during the summers.
The majority of mosquitos will ignore the eerie light. Wherever there is a bug zapper, people seem to be found remotely close to the diabolical lighthouse. Therefore, mosquitos continue their predacious behavior. No matter how many modified jolly rogers show a mosquito's head on crossed bones are found on the box, the chances that a mosquito will be electrocuted are slim.
I wasn't surprised when Berembaum broke the news to me. Earlier experiences had hinted at the false advertising of bug zappers. In the humid nights at Camp Hood, my fellow scouts and I would huddle under a kerosene lamp to play poker on a dilapidated table. While we played, shadows would dance on the cards as moths and hard shelled insects revolved around the lamp like electrons surrounding a nucleus. Moths of various colors (pink and yellow, black and white, orange) descended to the table, occasionally. Black beetles would land on our cards upside down. We would brush them off the cards and just watch them struggle like a turtle on its shell become upright again. Out of all the insects that the light attracted, the mosquito never showed any interest in the lamp. However, the mosquitos showed great interest in the bags of blood playing Texas Hold 'em in the middle of the forest.
My suspicions were confirmed a year or two later when my parents bought a bug zapper for the back yard. That piece of junk helped the enemy more than it helped my family. With the contradictory lighthouse in sight, my family had more outside meals in ignorance as to what bugs were actually being killed when the zapper zapped. It took a few weeks for my parents to realize that the mosquito population wasn't decreasing. Soon, the family was back indoors eating in the complete comfort of our home.
Repellents will have to satisfy those who wish to enjoy the warmth and luxuries of the outdoors during the summers.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Taste like chicken?
According to an article from National Geographic, I (an average human if not spectacular) eat one pound of insects in one year unintentionally. Common foods such as chocolate and tomato sauce have been examined, and scientists reveal that, even in the most controlled, sanitary facilities, remains of insects can be found. This discovery begs the question, "How has this affected my health?" While the clean freaks take their sworn oaths never to eat again, I'd like to provide an answer to those who are more logically inclined.
The FDA was the source of information for the article previously mentioned. This administration is devoted to setting standards and restrictions on all foods sold in the United States. Great amounts of time and effort have been poured into research to determine what is safe to eat and what is hazardous to our health. While I'm sure efforts could be made to increase the sanitation of our food, present limits placed on approved food have proved to fulfill their purpose and keep us safe from hazardous foreign contaminants. The amount of insect debris is kept at an acceptable level in which the public never has to worry about diseased JIF.
Unintentional consumption doesn't bother me whatsoever. Attention should be focused on the proper handling of foods so the diseased humans can't contaminate my food. As long as measures are taken to guarantee safe consumption and I never find a cricket's leg in my chocolate bar, I will sleep like a baby.
People of the States have been reluctant to embrace entomophagy, or the consumption of insects. Eighty percent of the rest of the world eat bugs. Americans have maintained a strong distaste (get it) for all the segment-legged. Several organizations are trying to encourage the public to taste the creepy crawlies. One of the founders of the Entomological Committee, Dr. Riley, had written several recipes for cooking the dreadful locust that were plaguing the nation at the time. Those who tried his recipes provided encouraging responses, but unfortunately, the recipes reached too few tastebuds to actually make an impression. Another entomophagy event occurs at Purdue University. A variety of insects are served to participants ranging from chocolate crickets to insect shish-kabobs. Similar events occur throughout the nation each year but the collective consensus of the U.S. appears to disapprove of entomophagy. The collective American resembles the llama in the clip below:
http://youtu.be/zX-Mhc0osmE
I personally have nothing against entomophagy. I actually want to explore the possibilities for recipes insects can offer. This meal worm pie looks tasty...
The FDA was the source of information for the article previously mentioned. This administration is devoted to setting standards and restrictions on all foods sold in the United States. Great amounts of time and effort have been poured into research to determine what is safe to eat and what is hazardous to our health. While I'm sure efforts could be made to increase the sanitation of our food, present limits placed on approved food have proved to fulfill their purpose and keep us safe from hazardous foreign contaminants. The amount of insect debris is kept at an acceptable level in which the public never has to worry about diseased JIF.
Unintentional consumption doesn't bother me whatsoever. Attention should be focused on the proper handling of foods so the diseased humans can't contaminate my food. As long as measures are taken to guarantee safe consumption and I never find a cricket's leg in my chocolate bar, I will sleep like a baby.
People of the States have been reluctant to embrace entomophagy, or the consumption of insects. Eighty percent of the rest of the world eat bugs. Americans have maintained a strong distaste (get it) for all the segment-legged. Several organizations are trying to encourage the public to taste the creepy crawlies. One of the founders of the Entomological Committee, Dr. Riley, had written several recipes for cooking the dreadful locust that were plaguing the nation at the time. Those who tried his recipes provided encouraging responses, but unfortunately, the recipes reached too few tastebuds to actually make an impression. Another entomophagy event occurs at Purdue University. A variety of insects are served to participants ranging from chocolate crickets to insect shish-kabobs. Similar events occur throughout the nation each year but the collective consensus of the U.S. appears to disapprove of entomophagy. The collective American resembles the llama in the clip below:
http://youtu.be/zX-Mhc0osmE
I personally have nothing against entomophagy. I actually want to explore the possibilities for recipes insects can offer. This meal worm pie looks tasty...
Even these cicada and silkworm kabobs look like they would taste good...
Insects provide an excellent source of protein and other vitamins if not better than most meat products. According to an article from NPR, insect farming is a cost effective alternative to raising cattle or chicken. The environment will benefit from the reduction of input required to take care of more traditional livestock. Greater quantities of vitamins (including protein) are received from eating a serving of most insects than a serving of either beef or chicken. Insect farming is such a smart business endeavor in so many ways. Sadly, preconceptions will continue to hinder the development of this food market in America.
I'm open to trying most new things especially food. Would I ever rely on insects to be my main source of protein? Most likely no. I haven't tasted an insect yet but I can say without a doubt that I love steak and fried chicken too much to give it up. Don't mistake me for an idiot, though. I will live within my means. If meat becomes an expensive commodity, I wouldn't desert my body's needs for the savory taste of beef. Without hesitation, I would adopt an entomophagist's diet. This is unlikely, so I'll continue to eat hamburgers and chicken wings to my heart's discontent.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Life without bees: Less painful but less fruitful
The first time I was stung by a bee was on a lawn covered in white clovers. I think it occured during a church picnic, but I can not be sure. I was stung another time during my family's summer visit to my grandmother. My brothers and I were playing tennis on some courts by a high school close to my grandmother's house. Our mediocrity soon showed when all of our tennis balls had gone over the fence. When straws had been picked, fate had given me the shortest of the lot. I went to retrieve the tennis balls, and on my return to the courts, a confounding pain surged up my leg. The tennis balls were dropped on the spot. I quickly investigated my foot to find squished remains of a honeybee. Several other painful encounters have been made between me and the stingers. I can only imagine how many other children have been stung by these fuzzy pollinators. To this day, I have been conditioned to be avidly vigilant whenever walking through a field of white clovers in fear of those yellow and black kamikazes.
With these past experiences at the front of my consciousness, you can imagine my disappointment when I heard that humanity would perish if bees disappeared from the earth. Apparently bees actually benefit the human race unintentionally by pollinating various fruits and vegetables. Their significant role in the environment could never be replaced. Plants reliant on the pollination by bees would become extinct. Animals (including humans) would lose their food source and eventually become extinct as well. All of my future plans for worldwide extermination seized.
Fortunately, Dr. Berembaum, writer of The Earwig's Tail, thinks otherwise. She investigated the matter (including statements supposedly said by Albert Einstein). According to Einstein, humanity wouldn't last four years after the extinction of bees. Dr. Berembaum researched the validity of the quote. None of Einstein's speeches ever touched on the subject of bees. While I am sure he has proven his capabilities in the world of science, his main focus involved the mechanics of light and physical phenomena rather than arthropods. Berembaum also believes that the extinction of bees will not spell the end of humanity. A great variety of fruits and vegetables may rely on the pollination of bees, but not every plant will die if the bees die. Fruits and vegetables such as onions and figs will remain on the earth for consumption.
Annalee Newitz gave a helpful illustration of what an average food market would look like if bees were extinct.
http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18qxiyj7h9ud4jpg/ku-xlarge.jpg
If you look at this picture and you think you could live without the bees, you are free to join my conquest at youreaninsecticidalmaniac.com. Tally ho!
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Madagascar Hisssssing Cockroach
I think my teacher might be dancing on the border of the bizarre town called Insanity. Why is he dancing, you might ask. One of the many requirements for entrance to this psychedelic town is to dance like there is no tomorrow to the border of Insanity. After passing with flying colors (yes, colors fly in Insanity), Dr. Van Zandt felt he had to impress the inhabitants of the town, so he went to class the following day with a cage full of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.
Apparently the voice in the doctor's believed it would be a good idea to display these relatively large roaches to his winter entomology class. Normally, a presentation like this would be encouraged by the students, but my class had several squeamish students who loathed cockroaches. These students could hardly look at these greasy, creepy crawlies.
A majority of the class soon forgot their aversion to these creatures as the doctor continued with his presentation. These roaches were revealed to be herbivorous and guaranteed not to bite the holder of the roach unless it was excessively harassed. Students (including myself) held the roaches for a short time. It surprised me how lethargic the roaches were behaving. All of the roaches I had encountered before class had scurried away at alarming speeds.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches getting their name from the exhalation of air. They do not hiss all the time. Hissing is used mainly as part of their mating ritual. Horns can be found on males. These horns are used to fight others for territory and mates.Males will hiss as a sign of dominance announcing their victory.
When the roach was crawling on me, I noticed how the barbs on its legs served as an adhesive to my jacket. These barbs help the roaches climb different structures such as trees and rocks as they search for food. I was slightly anxious taking it off my jacket in fear of injuring the roach, but I managed.
In the end, I was educated on a fascinating not to mention famous insect. The experience has relieved some of the anxiety when picking up an insect. I recognize that these cockroaches were meant to live in hotter climates, so their energy levels were lower than normal. I also recognize that these insects were clean. Regardless of their unreallistic traits, I readily await the next time I see a cockroach; not for the desire to destroy its exoskeleton, but for educational purposes.
Unfortunately, the inhabitants of Insanity remained unimpressed with Dr. Van Zandt's efforts to find residency. He simply exhibited too much evidence that he was in control of his faculties and his behavior was far too rational. He immediately got over the rejection and continued to teach at BSC.
Chapters 10-13
http://youtu.be/WJf_zANu0Hs
http://youtu.be/4VWbGjnCPSk
http://youtu.be/Tg_msNgkNUY
http://youtu.be/152dzpmwVMU
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Interesting Insects
Among the many insects the class has discussed thus far, dragonflies have proven to be the most interesting in my opinion. I can't help but admire the success of these ancient insects. While this detail may not apply to me on any sentimental level as it potentially could influence the more elderly, the vast expanses of time this order has survived is nonetheless astounding. I also resonated with the dragonfly as I read Dr. Evans review of the dragonfly's uncanny eyesight. Bear with me, I don't see any part of myself specifically in a dragonfly, but in general, humans rely on their eyesight to make sense of the world. The average man is reluctant to relate to insects because of their supposedly supernatural abilities. Most mosquitos find their mate by searching for specific frequencies at which those of the opposite sex can beat their wings. Certain roaches will lose their minds if they smell a certain pheromone. These sensations and experiences are alien to man. However, the dragonfly relies on the same sense humans use in order to survive a world of threatening stimuli. While the dragonfly can see all the way around itself and I can only see a little of my surroundings when I look at my laptop, I can relate more of my sensations to the dragonfly's sensations compared to most insects.
I started searching the internet for information on dragonflies. Soon, I realized that Dr. Evans had made a great effort to describe all of the general aspects of the dragonfly. He even went into detail about distinct species that emphasize the roles the anatomy of the general dragonfly plays in their survival. Many of the facts on the web have already been discussed in Dr. Evans book. The only fact never discussed was that dragonflies could make their body temperature rise with the rapid motion of their wings (http://insects.about.com/od/dragonfliesanddamselflies/a/10-Cool-Facts-About-Dragonflies.htm). I am rather unimpressed with this act of thermoregulation. Most animals have ways to achieve homeostasis. Humans will use the same technique with different appendages to warm themselves. Not impressed. Please don't mistake my indifference as poor speech craft when previously I had stated that one of the many reasons I admire dragonflies is because they are more relatable to man. There simply more interesting aspects of dragonflies discussed in Dr. Evans book.
One aspect that draws my attention that each dragonfly wing can move independently of the other wing allowing for great maneuverability despite its great size and relatively slow wing beat. I would imagine their flight pattern resembles the flight patterns of birds in some cases. If I could fly an insect, I would fly a dragonfly.
I started searching the internet for information on dragonflies. Soon, I realized that Dr. Evans had made a great effort to describe all of the general aspects of the dragonfly. He even went into detail about distinct species that emphasize the roles the anatomy of the general dragonfly plays in their survival. Many of the facts on the web have already been discussed in Dr. Evans book. The only fact never discussed was that dragonflies could make their body temperature rise with the rapid motion of their wings (http://insects.about.com/od/dragonfliesanddamselflies/a/10-Cool-Facts-About-Dragonflies.htm). I am rather unimpressed with this act of thermoregulation. Most animals have ways to achieve homeostasis. Humans will use the same technique with different appendages to warm themselves. Not impressed. Please don't mistake my indifference as poor speech craft when previously I had stated that one of the many reasons I admire dragonflies is because they are more relatable to man. There simply more interesting aspects of dragonflies discussed in Dr. Evans book.
One aspect that draws my attention that each dragonfly wing can move independently of the other wing allowing for great maneuverability despite its great size and relatively slow wing beat. I would imagine their flight pattern resembles the flight patterns of birds in some cases. If I could fly an insect, I would fly a dragonfly.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
On being a cold bug
The general term for any insect that endures the winter without the comfort of an egg is called over-wintering. Certain insects will use different strategies to survive the winter. Some will alter their body chemistry. Some will purposely freeze themselves. Others search for dry, insulated shelters to escape the cold climate. Certain techniques are more prevalent in distinct regions that correlate to latitude. Greater latitudes have colder winters in which temperatures drop beneath water's freezing point. Insects that live in these regions have adapted and evolved to address the threat of bodily destruction on the cellular level. Climates in the lesser latitudes are typically above freezing temperatures, so insects within these regions make different preparations for the cold seasons.
If I were to be an insect in Birmingham, AL during the winter, I would like to be an insect that goes through complete metamorphosis. The pupal stage would occur throughout the winter season. I would lose my mind if I had to stay as either a larva or an adult because of the constant search of food in order to avoid desiccation. Confined to the small spaces where warmth still resides, my sanity would dwindle to nothing within a few days. The idea of transforming from what many people view as repulsive to an elegant, graceful, and beautiful being remains a key reason to choose the pupal stage of the complete metamorphic cycle. When I escape my self-made prison, I enter the renewed earth during a stage of the cycle dedicated to reproduction. I basically wake up from a long slumber to have sex. This sounds pretty attractive to me.
Other insects simply find a place underground or in a tree constantly in search of food to maintain a healthy body temperature. There is no reason why I would choose to struggle through two months of cold temperatures in a claustrophobe's nightmare when I can physically remake myself into elegance incarnate.
If I were to be an insect in Birmingham, AL during the winter, I would like to be an insect that goes through complete metamorphosis. The pupal stage would occur throughout the winter season. I would lose my mind if I had to stay as either a larva or an adult because of the constant search of food in order to avoid desiccation. Confined to the small spaces where warmth still resides, my sanity would dwindle to nothing within a few days. The idea of transforming from what many people view as repulsive to an elegant, graceful, and beautiful being remains a key reason to choose the pupal stage of the complete metamorphic cycle. When I escape my self-made prison, I enter the renewed earth during a stage of the cycle dedicated to reproduction. I basically wake up from a long slumber to have sex. This sounds pretty attractive to me.
Other insects simply find a place underground or in a tree constantly in search of food to maintain a healthy body temperature. There is no reason why I would choose to struggle through two months of cold temperatures in a claustrophobe's nightmare when I can physically remake myself into elegance incarnate.
Monday, January 6, 2014
How I think of insects (and other arthropods)
I have mixed feelings about insects and various arthropods. I understand to an extent the significant roles insects play in the biosphere. The diversity of insects astounds me greatly. Unfortunately, the perception of insects faces both instinctual and cognitive adversity that other animalia can avoid.
When I was a little boy (perhaps 4 or 5 years old), a humongous spider had entered our house. Panic erupted from the three Pennington boys. We took refuge on our couch where we could safely peer over the cushions as the arachnid tittered across our floor. My mom quickly ran into the kitchen to find the broom and within a minute the hairy terror was banished from the Pennington residence.
My father has been bitten by two brown recluses. Both bites have left concave scars because the venom had broken down a lot of muscle tissue.
Several summers were spent in the dank forests of Mississippi where mosquitos and horse-flies feed on fatigued boy scouts. These experiences have left some residual disdain for arthropods.
A year ago, my father and I went down to New Orleans for a weekend during the summer. The majority of the second day in New Orleans was spent at the Insectarium because we Penningtons know how to have a good time. To my surprise, the Insectarium provided hours of riveting material about the insect world. There was a "butterfly garden" where a variety of butterflies and moths lived. There was an exhibit for subterranean bugs. I found myself fascinated by the sheer number of distinct arthropods.
After several experiences with insects I can say that I am fascinated by them from a distance. I understand the threat I pose to the insects and the actions they take against my oblivious intrusion. When they intrude my house, I try my best to get them out alive. Only when I know there is no possibility of getting it out of the house without harming myself will I kill the bug. I feel immeasurable guilt whenever I run into a spider web because that web took hours to make. That's like taking someone's job away by walking past him/her. I just brush the mosquito off my skin with the idea that the mosquito will acknowledge my kindness by moving on to another victim. This completely illogical but I haven't by bitten by many mosquitos in the past few years.
The only insect that receives no compassion from me is the cockroach. I perceive them as living pestilence. I will smite every cockroach I see.
When I was a little boy (perhaps 4 or 5 years old), a humongous spider had entered our house. Panic erupted from the three Pennington boys. We took refuge on our couch where we could safely peer over the cushions as the arachnid tittered across our floor. My mom quickly ran into the kitchen to find the broom and within a minute the hairy terror was banished from the Pennington residence.
My father has been bitten by two brown recluses. Both bites have left concave scars because the venom had broken down a lot of muscle tissue.
Several summers were spent in the dank forests of Mississippi where mosquitos and horse-flies feed on fatigued boy scouts. These experiences have left some residual disdain for arthropods.
A year ago, my father and I went down to New Orleans for a weekend during the summer. The majority of the second day in New Orleans was spent at the Insectarium because we Penningtons know how to have a good time. To my surprise, the Insectarium provided hours of riveting material about the insect world. There was a "butterfly garden" where a variety of butterflies and moths lived. There was an exhibit for subterranean bugs. I found myself fascinated by the sheer number of distinct arthropods.
After several experiences with insects I can say that I am fascinated by them from a distance. I understand the threat I pose to the insects and the actions they take against my oblivious intrusion. When they intrude my house, I try my best to get them out alive. Only when I know there is no possibility of getting it out of the house without harming myself will I kill the bug. I feel immeasurable guilt whenever I run into a spider web because that web took hours to make. That's like taking someone's job away by walking past him/her. I just brush the mosquito off my skin with the idea that the mosquito will acknowledge my kindness by moving on to another victim. This completely illogical but I haven't by bitten by many mosquitos in the past few years.
The only insect that receives no compassion from me is the cockroach. I perceive them as living pestilence. I will smite every cockroach I see.
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