Monthly Archives: August 2014

Honey Bee Art

Posted on August 31, 2014 by jjneal

The moveable frame honey bee hive uses frames with hexagonal cell templates to encourage the bees to tightly pack their cells tightly together. The hexagonal template serves as a cue to build a cell. Artists are using this bee behavior … Continue reading →

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Mayflies Monitoring Metals

Posted on August 30, 2014 by jjneal

May flies are sensitive to pollution of many types including heavy metals. Exposure to the zinc can have larger effects on the adults and subimagos than the larvae. Wesner and Colleagues* reared mayflies (Centroptilum triangulifer) in water with increasing concentrations … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

Friday Cat-erpillar Blogging: Regurgitation

Posted on August 29, 2014 by jjneal

Some but not all caterpillars respond to attack by predators (or pinching) by regurgitating fluid from the digestive system. JB Grant compared* the response of 36 caterpillars of butterflies and moths to simulated attacks (pinching). Caterpillars varied in their response … Continue reading →

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Emerald Ash Borer In West Lafayette

Posted on August 28, 2014 by jjneal

A few years after Emerald Ash Borer was first reported in Tippecanoe County noticeable damage is becoming widespread. Prior to this year, there were isolated damaged trees. Now the effects on the landscape are readily apparent. The image below was … Continue reading →

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

Beetle Check

Posted on August 27, 2014 by jjneal

Invasive species move into a state most frequently from a neighboring state.  It follows that the highest risk for invasion comes from large populations of an invasive near the border.  The Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) can be found in the … Continue reading →

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Golden Digger Wasp

Posted on August 26, 2014 by jjneal

The Golden Digger Wasp, Sphex ichneumoneus is a large wasp that is seen collecting nectar from flowers along side the Big Black Wasp. It is distinctive as a large wasp (about 20 mm) with golden to orange body and legs. It … Continue reading →

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The Great Black Wasp

Posted on August 25, 2014 by jjneal

Sphex pensylvanicus, has a descriptive common name, the Great Black Wasp.  This conspicuous wasp is 22 to 28 mm long (females are larger) and are commonly seen on milkweed and other sources of nectar.  The wasp is mostly black with … Continue reading →

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