Monthly Archives: July 2014

Bison, Lupine & Karner Blue

Posted on July 31, 2014 by jjneal

Bison once roamed North America in large numbers. Bison, because of their large size and density, had profound effects on the prairie ecosytem. Bison grazed and trampled young trees, creating disturbed areas that favored grasslands. Bison left wallows, areas where … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Endangered Species, Environment | Leave a comment

Neonicotinoids In Water

Posted on July 30, 2014 by jjneal

The overuse of neonicotinoids has led to increased levels of enviromental contamination. Several studies have found neonicotinoid contamination in ground water (well water). How does it get there? Two major routes for groundwater contamination are “Point Source” and “Non-Point Source”. … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Health, Pest Management | Leave a comment

A Malaria Vaccine

Posted on July 29, 2014 by jjneal

After many years of effort, a malaria vaccine appears closer to reality. GSK submitted a regulatory filing for a vaccine. Approval would be a step toward making the vaccine available. The vaccine is not 100% effective so it is proposed … Continue reading →

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Negatives of Neonicotinoids

Posted on July 28, 2014 by jjneal

The use of neonicotinoid insecticides was widely adopted in the 1990s as one of the few effective pesticides against sweet potato whitefly and other sucking insects. Some of the organophospates with high toxicity to humans were displaced by neonicotinoids with … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, News, Pest Management, Policy | 6 Comments

Beeswax and Scientific Illustration

Posted on July 27, 2014 by jjneal

Modern scientific illustration flourished once techniques were developed to reproduce and disseminate the drawings. The early prints were made using wood blocks. Wood is limited by thickness of the lines required. Finer lines can be engraved into metal, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Biomaterials, by jjneal | Leave a comment

Largest Aquatic Insect

Posted on July 26, 2014 by jjneal

The largest aquatic insect is now a dobsonfly that was found by Chinese villagers in Sichuan Province. Its wingspan measures 210.70 mm, displacing the South American helicopter damselfly as the largest aquatic insect. By comparison, the largest dobsonflies in the … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

Friday Caterpillar Blogging: Flowers or Leaves?

Posted on July 25, 2014 by jjneal

Caterpillars of the Large White Butterfly, Pieris brassicae will feed on black mustard, Brassica nigra. The caterpillars can grow and develop on the leaves or the flowers. Adult females prefer to lay eggs on the leaves of flowering plants. Second … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Environment | Leave a comment