Monthly Archives: January 2015

Living With Mimicry

Posted on January 31, 2015 by jjneal

The Malaysian orchid mantis Hymenopus coronatus mimics a flower both in body shape and coloration. Historically, it has been assumed that the orchid mantis resembles a flower and uses crypsis to hide from unsuspecting prey and predators. I have seen … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

Mating With Hungry Predators

Posted on January 30, 2015 by jjneal

Females of the False Garden Mantid, Pseudomantis albofimbriata are known to consume their mate on occasion. The male sometimes lives to mate again but not always. Headless males are capable of mating, but do not survive long afterward. Females can … Continue reading →

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Living With Sand Termites

Posted on January 29, 2015 by jjneal

A reader asks about the colony size of the sand termite, Psammotermes allocerus. A study by Grube and Rudolph* found a typical size of 2000 to 4000 individuals in a single nest sphere. Colonies may have multiple connected nest spheres, … Continue reading →

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Fairy Circles Update

Posted on January 28, 2015 by jjneal

In 2013, Norbert Juergens published his answer to the mystery of the fairy circles in the desert of Namibia: The sand termite, Psammotermes allocerus. Other researchers have questioned his conclusion and continue to offer alternative explanations. A group of scientists* … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

Living With the Lobster Cockroach

Posted on January 27, 2015 by jjneal

The lobster cockroach, Nauphoeta cinerea, is an insect that is easy to rear and exhibits many interesting behaviors. A group of scientists* is proposing to use Nauphoeta cinerea as a model to study the effects of toxins on animal behavior. … Continue reading →

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Forgetting With Cockroaches

Posted on January 26, 2015 by jjneal

Studies of memory in mammals have identified some of the biochemical pathways involved in sustaining memories. Zeta inhibitory peptide (ZIP), an inhibitor of a neural system enzyme, Protein Kinase C (PKC) was demonstrated to erase long term memories in mammals. … Continue reading →

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Living With the Rattlesnake-Master Borer

Posted on January 25, 2015 by jjneal

The Rattlesnake-Master Borer, Papaipema eryngii, is a rare moth found only in 5 states: Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, North Carolina and Oklahoma. The moth is specialist with only one known host plant: Rattlesnake Master. Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium; Apiaceae; Carrot Family) … Continue reading →

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