Jan 25
Initially, I thought insects were still kind of gross, but I appreciated their evolutionary standpoint. Throughout this class I have really come to love and find a lot of interest within these creatures. It is amazing that insects are so widely used in medicine, for example cockroaches are used in cancer research. I have learned many facts about insects in this class, how these creatures live, and how they tolerate the winter. It is amazing that these creatures can bare the harsh conditions of the cold. These insects are fascinating by their different tactics of overwintering. Supercooling made me appreciate these creatures even more. I learned just how successful in life these creatures truly are. Taking this class opened up my eyes to the world in a whole new light, when I go outside I now see if I can find insects in their mysterious hiding places - they're everywhere. At the end of the class, I chose to do my bug collection, and I chose this because I wanted to see how many I could find and how just up close and personal I can get to these creatures. It's cool to look at the insects I caught with a microscope and be able to study their anatomical structures. This class made me appreciate the insects and want to discover more about the natural world.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Lepidoptera
Jan 24
Lepidopterans are my favorite order of insects. These insects are the scaled insects, they have this name because their beautiful wings are composed of millions of scales. The scales on their wings make the greatest designs I have seen in nature. Overall, these insects are definitely my favorite due to their looks, abilities, and their stages throughout life. I watched a Bug Chicks video to learn more of these insects, and interestingly enough I did. The butterflies/moths mouthparts are curled up so that when they land near a flower they can extend their mouth part to suck the nectar from the stamen. These mouthparts act as a bendable straw. Some moths and butterflies do not have functional mouthparts for feeding because they serve one purpose - mating. Another thing I learned from the Bug Chicks video was that the moths have super sensitive antennae for mating. The male moth can detect 1 pheromone from a female up to 7 miles away. In addition to the video I watched, there are other cool facts about these lepidopterans. Their larva stage, the caterpillar, is the ultimate eating machine. All they do is eat so that they can live throughout their adult stage and pupa stage of life. Caterpillar's sole purpose is to feed and stock up on food and energy. Caterpillars have cool defense mechanisms too. Some eat poisonous plants so that they will later on become toxic to eat, and some caterpillars can release foul odors that say "do not eat me, I'm bad". What makes me love these insects more than their looks is what they do in the pupa stage of their lives. In metamorphosis these creatures digest their body by secreting an enzyme, all but a few cells are destroyed. Once this occurs, these remaining cells undergo mitosis and divide. However, a caterpillar is not created, but a functional butterfly or moth. The DNA for this creature the entire time resides within the cells of the caterpillar, but the gene expression is not functional gene inhibited by histone proteins. This complete transformation is awe inspiring, and it makes me love these insects more than any other.
Figure 1.
I caught this moth species, rattlebox moth or bella moth, in Sampson Alabama. I found this moth's wings to be absolutely beautiful.
Image provided by http://majikphil.blogspot.com/2011/10/bella-moth.html
Lepidopterans are my favorite order of insects. These insects are the scaled insects, they have this name because their beautiful wings are composed of millions of scales. The scales on their wings make the greatest designs I have seen in nature. Overall, these insects are definitely my favorite due to their looks, abilities, and their stages throughout life. I watched a Bug Chicks video to learn more of these insects, and interestingly enough I did. The butterflies/moths mouthparts are curled up so that when they land near a flower they can extend their mouth part to suck the nectar from the stamen. These mouthparts act as a bendable straw. Some moths and butterflies do not have functional mouthparts for feeding because they serve one purpose - mating. Another thing I learned from the Bug Chicks video was that the moths have super sensitive antennae for mating. The male moth can detect 1 pheromone from a female up to 7 miles away. In addition to the video I watched, there are other cool facts about these lepidopterans. Their larva stage, the caterpillar, is the ultimate eating machine. All they do is eat so that they can live throughout their adult stage and pupa stage of life. Caterpillar's sole purpose is to feed and stock up on food and energy. Caterpillars have cool defense mechanisms too. Some eat poisonous plants so that they will later on become toxic to eat, and some caterpillars can release foul odors that say "do not eat me, I'm bad". What makes me love these insects more than their looks is what they do in the pupa stage of their lives. In metamorphosis these creatures digest their body by secreting an enzyme, all but a few cells are destroyed. Once this occurs, these remaining cells undergo mitosis and divide. However, a caterpillar is not created, but a functional butterfly or moth. The DNA for this creature the entire time resides within the cells of the caterpillar, but the gene expression is not functional gene inhibited by histone proteins. This complete transformation is awe inspiring, and it makes me love these insects more than any other.
I caught this moth species, rattlebox moth or bella moth, in Sampson Alabama. I found this moth's wings to be absolutely beautiful.
Image provided by http://majikphil.blogspot.com/2011/10/bella-moth.html
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Entomophagy
Jan 22
Entomophagy is a weird term that is used to describe insects used as food. Many countries and people around the world consume insects normally for a source of protein. Although many cultures do consume these creatures and view it as normal, I would never switch my main source of protein over to these crawling creatures. I don't think I could get past the exoskeleton feature of the insect, it would be too crunchy for me to handle. However just because I do not eat them, I do recognize the good in eating them. They cause less greenhouse gas and they use less land than most animals we eat - duh because of their size. Even with these facts, still I would never switch over; it is just a mental thing. Besides eating them knowingly, the fact that we consume insects almost daily unknowingly is the freaky part. Food producers actually allow a certain amount of insects to be used and consumed in their food. Everyone unintentionally eats insects whether they like it or not. I found that fact to be quite disturbing, but it somewhat is realistic. If I think about it, how can these creatures be so abundant and not end up in places we do not want them. There is no processing machine that can get rid of every creature, just like there is no way to get rid of all the bacteria on plants and etc. Insects are present in every stage of their life whether we like it or not they are here to stay, and we most likely are going to eat them.
Entomophagy is a weird term that is used to describe insects used as food. Many countries and people around the world consume insects normally for a source of protein. Although many cultures do consume these creatures and view it as normal, I would never switch my main source of protein over to these crawling creatures. I don't think I could get past the exoskeleton feature of the insect, it would be too crunchy for me to handle. However just because I do not eat them, I do recognize the good in eating them. They cause less greenhouse gas and they use less land than most animals we eat - duh because of their size. Even with these facts, still I would never switch over; it is just a mental thing. Besides eating them knowingly, the fact that we consume insects almost daily unknowingly is the freaky part. Food producers actually allow a certain amount of insects to be used and consumed in their food. Everyone unintentionally eats insects whether they like it or not. I found that fact to be quite disturbing, but it somewhat is realistic. If I think about it, how can these creatures be so abundant and not end up in places we do not want them. There is no processing machine that can get rid of every creature, just like there is no way to get rid of all the bacteria on plants and etc. Insects are present in every stage of their life whether we like it or not they are here to stay, and we most likely are going to eat them.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Odonata
Jan 15
From Evans' novel, Life on a Little Known Planet, I found the order of Odonata to be the most interesting and my favorite that he wrote about. Generally, my favorite order is Lepidoptera, but within this book he made them such a bore. Odonata are mysterious insects since they are described as prehistoric insects. Although these insects are more primitive than flies and other true insects, these dragonflies are quite successful. Dragonflies are some of the largest insects, which gives them a predatory size advantage over the other insects (Evans 64). Another advantageous evolutionary trait these specimens have are their eye. Their compound eyes encircle almost their entire head, thus allowing them to see in three hundred sixty degrees. The facets, 28,000 exactly, in the compound eyes allow them to see all directions, and this gives them advantages of being a predator and as prey (Evans 65). As a predator these advanced binocular like eyes allow them to see far away and very good motion movements. However, as being able to see around their entire body suggests that these ancient insects were prey to some creature, and over time these insects evolved and adapted to be the predators. Since their eyes are so well developed, it makes up for their underdeveloped antennae (Evans 65). Furthermore, these creatures have different flying mechanisms than any other insect. Their oblique muscles in their abdomen are directly attached to their wings, thus allowing direct control of the wing beats. Although these insects have muscles attached directly, they are much slower than any other insect with a beat frequency of 30 beats per second (Evans 66). These bugs possess the ability to even fly backwards. What amazes me is the fact that entomologists consider these winged beasts to be primitive to modern insects when these dragonflies are so different, special, and successful. No other insect can do what these bugs can do and still manage to be successful. What else is amazing is even though their wing beat frequency is low compared to that of a bee or a fly, these insects still manage to catch and eat these creatures as prey. Besides just dragonflies evolutionary adaptations, they also have a peculiar method of reproduction. These winged beasts mate together in four steps. First, the male touches his abdomen to make a sperm packet, then he grasps the female by her neck with his claspers, which proceeds her to touch her abdomen to his testes, and finally the male leads the female to a particular spot to lay her eggs (near water) while he guards her (Evans 74). Dragonfly style is weird, but they seem to take mating very seriously and protect their mate to ensure insemination so that their offspring will develop. In addition to the style of mating, these creatures do not just rely on chemical features to determine mates. Since dragonflies have weak antennae, they rely on eye sight to determine mate selection. Color pattern gives a good indication of which mate is the healthiest and has the best genes for their offspring to be successful. Indeed, these evolutionary techniques, although considered primitive, are the ones that impressed me the most out of all the other insects.
From Evans' novel, Life on a Little Known Planet, I found the order of Odonata to be the most interesting and my favorite that he wrote about. Generally, my favorite order is Lepidoptera, but within this book he made them such a bore. Odonata are mysterious insects since they are described as prehistoric insects. Although these insects are more primitive than flies and other true insects, these dragonflies are quite successful. Dragonflies are some of the largest insects, which gives them a predatory size advantage over the other insects (Evans 64). Another advantageous evolutionary trait these specimens have are their eye. Their compound eyes encircle almost their entire head, thus allowing them to see in three hundred sixty degrees. The facets, 28,000 exactly, in the compound eyes allow them to see all directions, and this gives them advantages of being a predator and as prey (Evans 65). As a predator these advanced binocular like eyes allow them to see far away and very good motion movements. However, as being able to see around their entire body suggests that these ancient insects were prey to some creature, and over time these insects evolved and adapted to be the predators. Since their eyes are so well developed, it makes up for their underdeveloped antennae (Evans 65). Furthermore, these creatures have different flying mechanisms than any other insect. Their oblique muscles in their abdomen are directly attached to their wings, thus allowing direct control of the wing beats. Although these insects have muscles attached directly, they are much slower than any other insect with a beat frequency of 30 beats per second (Evans 66). These bugs possess the ability to even fly backwards. What amazes me is the fact that entomologists consider these winged beasts to be primitive to modern insects when these dragonflies are so different, special, and successful. No other insect can do what these bugs can do and still manage to be successful. What else is amazing is even though their wing beat frequency is low compared to that of a bee or a fly, these insects still manage to catch and eat these creatures as prey. Besides just dragonflies evolutionary adaptations, they also have a peculiar method of reproduction. These winged beasts mate together in four steps. First, the male touches his abdomen to make a sperm packet, then he grasps the female by her neck with his claspers, which proceeds her to touch her abdomen to his testes, and finally the male leads the female to a particular spot to lay her eggs (near water) while he guards her (Evans 74). Dragonfly style is weird, but they seem to take mating very seriously and protect their mate to ensure insemination so that their offspring will develop. In addition to the style of mating, these creatures do not just rely on chemical features to determine mates. Since dragonflies have weak antennae, they rely on eye sight to determine mate selection. Color pattern gives a good indication of which mate is the healthiest and has the best genes for their offspring to be successful. Indeed, these evolutionary techniques, although considered primitive, are the ones that impressed me the most out of all the other insects.
Figure 1.
Two adult dragonflies mating. The male above grasps the female by her neck with his abdomen.
Oders: Dermaptera and Odonata
Jan 15
I watched the Bug Chicks video on two orders I that I wanted to know more about the Dermaptera and the Odonata. I wanted to lnow more about earwigs just because of the chapter that I read in May Berenbaum's book about the common misconception of an earwig having the capability to crawl into your ear, and lay its eggs and burrow within. The Bug Chicks said several pieces of information that I did not know about earwigs in this short video segment. Specifically, male earwigs have two cerci that allow them to reproduce in case one of them is broken off. Thats weird, what other animal has two functional genitalia. Another piece of information I found to be cool was the entire reproduction and raising of their offspring. The male will mate with the female earwig, but once the eggs are laid the female soon kicks the male out. Also, the female is very nurturing to her eggs and her offspring, but she is not patient and loving enough. If one of the offspring stay too long, the mother will actually consume that offspring as a meal. That is weird because she took so much time looking after them, then she will actually eat one. These creatures are cool just because of the way they look, their wings are skinned, and they're cool just because of the information about them and the "old wives' tales".
I watched the Bug Chicks video on two orders I that I wanted to know more about the Dermaptera and the Odonata. I wanted to lnow more about earwigs just because of the chapter that I read in May Berenbaum's book about the common misconception of an earwig having the capability to crawl into your ear, and lay its eggs and burrow within. The Bug Chicks said several pieces of information that I did not know about earwigs in this short video segment. Specifically, male earwigs have two cerci that allow them to reproduce in case one of them is broken off. Thats weird, what other animal has two functional genitalia. Another piece of information I found to be cool was the entire reproduction and raising of their offspring. The male will mate with the female earwig, but once the eggs are laid the female soon kicks the male out. Also, the female is very nurturing to her eggs and her offspring, but she is not patient and loving enough. If one of the offspring stay too long, the mother will actually consume that offspring as a meal. That is weird because she took so much time looking after them, then she will actually eat one. These creatures are cool just because of the way they look, their wings are skinned, and they're cool just because of the information about them and the "old wives' tales".
Figure 1.
Above are two earwigs, a male and a female. The male has two cerci, which act as the penis, and noteworthy both are curved. Next to the male is the female earwig, and she has two straight cerci, and is usually larger than the male.
Image provided by AMCO pest services http://www.amcoexterminating.com/other-pests
In addition to the earwigs, I found the order Odonata interesting. I found these larvae quite interesting due to their mandible jaws that are about 1/3 of their body length. These jaws act as hands that grab their prey: fish, larva, and other aquatic beings and bring it to their mouths. Another interesting thing about the larvae are their jet propulsion methods. These larvae contract their anus (abdomen) to propel themselves in the water. In adult copulation the dragonflies reproduce strangely. The male grabs the female on the neck with his abdomen, then the female places her abdomen on the males sperm pouch, then the male flies her to an area to lay her eggs. The Bug Chicks taught me one thing about dragonflies that was cool, they can fly both forwards and backwards. Only one other animal can do this - hummingbirds. Although dragonflies are prehistoric beasts among insects, they seem quite advanced and successful in the entomological world. These insects are among my favorites just because of their difference to everything else, their colors, their eyes, and their wings.
Figure 2.
Above is the image of the larva's mouth part. This hand-like extension reaches and grabs the prey while bringing the prey to the larva's chewable mouthpart.
Image provided by Aquatic Invertebrate http://leahskey.wordpress.com/about/no-obvious-tails/dragonfly-larva/
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Common Misconceptions
Jan 14
Everyone has heard some tale about insects at some point in their lives. May Berenbaum devoted herself to writing an entire book about these "old wives' tales". Berenbaum addressed three stories that I have heard at some point in my life before; these stories were: bumblebees cannot fly and cockroaches can survive a nuclear reaction First of all Berenbaum disproves the theory that bees cannot fly. I first heard this when I took AP physics in high school. My teacher brought up this theory that insects cannot fly, but it never made sense to me since they do obviously fly. I just never understood how or why. Berenbaum says physicists all calculate the kinetic equations and kinematics of bees and they all prove that it is physically impossible that bees fly. However, this creature still manages to be air bound because the physicist did not account for the flexibility of the wings. The wings can move in 200 beats per second, and these wings act like rotors and can move in different oscillatory motions (Berenbaum 2). In addition to the theory that bees cannot fly, I have also heard that cockroaches can survive nuclear wars and bombs. As a kid different cartoons would portray this phenomenal theory, but it never really "clicked"in my head, since I never understood. But now I realize this theory is ridiculous. Nuclear reactions contain such large quantities of gamma radiation, how can anything survive such a blast of energy? Well Berenbaum certainly surprised me when she provided data that proved roaches survive the lowest amount of radiation (20,000 rad), when fruit flies survived 60,000 rad and wasps survived 180,000 rad (Berenbaum 100). Wow, roaches probably won't survive these extreme conditions, but the other two insects certainly will. In addition to surviving nuclear radiation, Berenbaum described a species of beetles that had their life prolonged when exposed to radiation. An experiment was conducted where beetles were exposed to X-ray radiation of 60 rads (Berenbaum 97). While surfing the internet for this topic, some think insects are more resistant to radiation due to their molting cycles (David Hiskey). http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/04/why-cockroaches-and-insects-are-resistant-to-radiation/
Since cell division isn't continually happening, radiation has a less chance effecting its cell cycle checkpoints in division, specifically the S checkpoint, which determines the cell to undergo apoptosis if conditions aren't ideal. Another specific about this S checkpoint is that this checkpoint is also crucial to the disease of the cell cycle, cancer. If cancer can get past the S point then the cell can divide repeatedly. Linking to insects, since they do not divide as frequently, then the percentage of it affecting the cycles is less. All of these tales I heard as a kid prove not to be true at all, but for interesting reasons.
Everyone has heard some tale about insects at some point in their lives. May Berenbaum devoted herself to writing an entire book about these "old wives' tales". Berenbaum addressed three stories that I have heard at some point in my life before; these stories were: bumblebees cannot fly and cockroaches can survive a nuclear reaction First of all Berenbaum disproves the theory that bees cannot fly. I first heard this when I took AP physics in high school. My teacher brought up this theory that insects cannot fly, but it never made sense to me since they do obviously fly. I just never understood how or why. Berenbaum says physicists all calculate the kinetic equations and kinematics of bees and they all prove that it is physically impossible that bees fly. However, this creature still manages to be air bound because the physicist did not account for the flexibility of the wings. The wings can move in 200 beats per second, and these wings act like rotors and can move in different oscillatory motions (Berenbaum 2). In addition to the theory that bees cannot fly, I have also heard that cockroaches can survive nuclear wars and bombs. As a kid different cartoons would portray this phenomenal theory, but it never really "clicked"in my head, since I never understood. But now I realize this theory is ridiculous. Nuclear reactions contain such large quantities of gamma radiation, how can anything survive such a blast of energy? Well Berenbaum certainly surprised me when she provided data that proved roaches survive the lowest amount of radiation (20,000 rad), when fruit flies survived 60,000 rad and wasps survived 180,000 rad (Berenbaum 100). Wow, roaches probably won't survive these extreme conditions, but the other two insects certainly will. In addition to surviving nuclear radiation, Berenbaum described a species of beetles that had their life prolonged when exposed to radiation. An experiment was conducted where beetles were exposed to X-ray radiation of 60 rads (Berenbaum 97). While surfing the internet for this topic, some think insects are more resistant to radiation due to their molting cycles (David Hiskey). http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/04/why-cockroaches-and-insects-are-resistant-to-radiation/
Since cell division isn't continually happening, radiation has a less chance effecting its cell cycle checkpoints in division, specifically the S checkpoint, which determines the cell to undergo apoptosis if conditions aren't ideal. Another specific about this S checkpoint is that this checkpoint is also crucial to the disease of the cell cycle, cancer. If cancer can get past the S point then the cell can divide repeatedly. Linking to insects, since they do not divide as frequently, then the percentage of it affecting the cycles is less. All of these tales I heard as a kid prove not to be true at all, but for interesting reasons.
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