Monthly Archives: August 2015

Posted on August 24, 2015 by jjneal

Harvester ants gather seeds and other foods and store them in underground nests. The ants feed on the seeds, process the food and deposit waste in and around the nest area. Ant activity can have a profound impact on soil … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 2 Comments

Insects on the Menu

Posted on August 23, 2015 by jjneal

The Explorers Club is dedicated to the exploration of Planet Earth and beyond. The club welcomes explorers from all countries and all disciplines including entomology. The club honors people who have made significant discoveries and contributions at its annual dinner, … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Food | 1 Comment

Invasion of the Seed Bugs

Posted on August 22, 2015 by jjneal

Much of the Southwest US has been plagued with large swarms of seed bugs. These seed bugs are Melacoryphus lateralis a bug that has periodically had large populations in Arizona, but not such large populations elsewhere until this year. This … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 4 Comments

Rafting: Merge or Die Fighting

Posted on August 21, 2015 by jjneal

Native fire ant areas are subject to flooding. Fire ant colonies form rafts to float on the water and survive until they can reach dry land. Cassill and colleagues* studied the behavior of Solenopsis invicta fire ants rafting on water … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 2 Comments

Offloading Ant Rafts

Posted on August 20, 2015 by jjneal

How do fire ants in a raft transition from floating on water to walking on dry land? Fire ants don’t wait until the water sinks to the level of the land. Leaves, branches and tree roots often dangle into the … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal | 1 Comment

Ants On Rafts

Posted on August 19, 2015 by jjneal

Fire ants are native to areas that flood and respond to flooding by making rafts. The rafts form as the result of stereotypic behaviors of individuals. Fire ants have larger workers (majors) and smaller workers (minors). Individual ants in water … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal | 1 Comment

Know Your Ants

Posted on August 18, 2015 by jjneal

The importance of insect identification is necessary in some surprising occupations such as “Golf Official”. At the PGA Championship in Sheboygan, WI, golfer Bubba Watson’s ball landed on an ant hill. Looking to improve the lie, Watson appealed to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments