Monthly Archives: April 2012

Insect Reproductive Morphology

Posted on April 30, 2012 by

Insect taxonomists often must study the genitalia of insects to identify insect species. Some insect species resemble each other in most characters, but have distinctly different reproductive organs. The shape of the genitalia is important in mating. If the shape … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, by jjneal | Leave a comment

Living With Rare Insects

Posted on April 29, 2012 by

The Northern Damselfly aka the Spearhead Bluet, Coenagrion hastulatum is found throughout Northern EurAsia where it is not uncommon. Its western range extends into Scotland where it is rare and confined to a few small lochans. Development can cause local … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Policy | 1 Comment

Animated Ants: Not So Accurate Anatomy

Posted on April 28, 2012 by

Insects commonly appear in movies and television shows. They make excellent villains to plague the human race, as well as interesting characters in productions targeted at children. How do movie-makers accurately represent insects on film? As a Computer Graphics major, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, by rstraut | Leave a comment

Return of the Cicadas

Posted on April 28, 2012 by

Even if someone has not seen a cicada up close and personal, its call is familiar to most Indiana residents during the summer months.  In large numbers, the colloquially named “dog-day” cicadas can reach a loud volume, However, dog day … Continue reading →

Posted in by whitames, Environment | 1 Comment

Friday Cat-erpillar Blogging: A Prickly Problem

Posted on April 28, 2012 by

PLoS publishes an online journal of “Neglected Tropical Diseases”. The tropical areas often have lower density populations than temperate zones, and there are fewer scientists to investigate health issues. However, these “neglected” diseases can adversely affect many people. “Pararama associated … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Health | Leave a comment

Living With Insect Bites

Posted on April 26, 2012 by

The insects most likely to bite humans in Indiana are mosquitoes, flies, fleas and more recently bedbugs. Most blood feeding insects that pierce the skin have salivary secretions that are injected into the bite area. These secretions typically contain anti-coagulants, … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Health | 1 Comment

Climate for Disease

Posted on April 25, 2012 by

Some of the diseases that afflict humans living in or visiting tropical or subtropical areas are confined to those regions because of climate. As the climate warms, species that were excluded from much of the temperate zone by cold temperatures … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Health, Invasive Species | Leave a comment