Monthly Archives: February 2017

Living With Nature Drawings

Posted on February 19, 2017 by jjneal

The printing press made images widely available to the public in the 17th century. Drawings of animals were popular, especially those that accurately captured details of insect life history. Drawings such as the one at left convey information about lifecycle, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, by jjneal, Education | 3 Comments

Living With Little Heads

Posted on February 18, 2017 by jjneal

The heads of insects are orders of magnitude smaller than the heads of even the smallest mammal. Many functional organs and tissues must fit in a limited space. The cuticle covering the compounds eyes doubles as both lens to focus light and … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Taxonomy | 1 Comment

Living With Dragonfly Power

Posted on February 17, 2017 by jjneal

Insect wings are flexible without being flaccid. They change shape when air pressure is applied. The ability to bend the wings can change the direction of pressure forces on the wing. Flexible wings can bend in ways that improve thrust without … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, by jjneal, Insect Inspired | 1 Comment

Living With Almond Production

Posted on February 16, 2017 by jjneal

California almond trees are in bloom from February through early March. To produce an almond, each flower must be visited by a honey bee or other pollinator. It is estimated that as many as two thirds of all the commercial … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment | 2 Comments

Living With “Dirty” Water

Posted on February 14, 2017 by jjneal

Honey bees do not prefer their water too clean. Like many herbivorous insects, honey bees do not get enough sodium by eating pollen and nectar. They prefer water that contains sodium over deionized water.  Sodium is commonly found in mud … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

A Hairy Entanglement

Posted on February 13, 2017 by jjneal

The larvae of the ant Camponotus floridanus, have bodies that are covered with curly hairs. When larvae contact each other, their hairs interlock causing the larvae to clump. The hairs also allow the larvae to avoid drowning.  Camponotus larvae will float … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment, Taxonomy | 1 Comment

Living With Ants

Posted on February 12, 2017 by jjneal

Pets are a hobby enjoyed by many people that occasionally turns into a business. Martin Sebesta enjoys ants and has made a business of selling ants from his AntStore in Berlin, Germany. His shop, in business for over a decade, … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Education | 1 Comment