Monthly Archives: February 2013

Living With Model Insect Solutions

Posted on February 28, 2013 by jjneal

All living organisms must solve ecological problems to adapt to their environment. The best solutions are selected in the course of evolution. Many of these solutions are robust and worthy of study. For example, honey bees have a complex social … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Insect Inspired | 2 Comments

Living With the Short Haired Bumblebee

Posted on February 27, 2013 by jjneal

The British Isles, with a dense population and relatively small land mass has one of the best inventories of biota on the planet. Numerous collectors and scientists have noted species, common and rare. The Short Haired Bumblebee, Bombus subterraneus, was … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, News | Leave a comment

Emerald Ash Borer Bites Indianapolis

Posted on February 26, 2013 by jjneal

The invasive beetle, Emerald Ash Borer has killed Millions of Ash Trees in Michigan and has radiated outward from its point of origin near Detroit. The beetles are mostly transported by human activity moving firewood or other wood products and … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Invasive Species, Pest Management | 4 Comments

Drink for the Cure II

Posted on February 25, 2013 by jjneal

I don’t know that insects have “sorrows” to drown, however, alcohol consumption can help them “drown” their parasitoids. As noted in a previous post, alcohol consumption by Drosophila flies helps the flies survive attacks by parasitoid wasps. In a newly … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | Leave a comment

Living With Turkey Oak

Posted on February 24, 2013 by jjneal

Humans use plants for a variety of purposes including for food, shelter, windbreaks, and ornamentals. The Turkey Oak, Quercus cerris, is widely cultivated in Europe and was introduced to the UK in the 1700s primarily as an ornamental and as … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Invasive Species | 2 Comments

Eye of the TIger Beetle

Posted on February 23, 2013 by jjneal

Larvae of tiger beetles make burrows in the soil, waiting in ambush for prey to approach nearby. The larvae use vision to detect their prey. However, beetle larvae contain only simple eyes called stemmata. Compound eyes only develop in adult … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Vision | Leave a comment

Friday Cat-erpillar Blogging: Coddling Moth

Posted on February 23, 2013 by jjneal

Q. What is worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm? A. Finding half a worm. The “worms” in apples are usually caterpillars of the coddling moth, Cydia pomonella, (although a number of other insect species also tunnel … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Pest Management | Leave a comment