Based on my observations in the field today, I became aware that there are a variety of species of insects which would serve as good "indicator species" for monitoring water or plant quality. Although I will not discuss all of these species, I will provide a short list of species which fit the criteria. These species include: ladybird beetles, aphids and alderflies. Aphids for example, are very abundant, and "in 1 acre there may be 200 million individuals on green parts of plants and a further 260 million underground on roots" (McGavin, 164). Based on these figures, it is quite evident that a significant reduction in the amount of aphids in a given area may present strong evidence supporting the idea that there is a lower plant quality. Additionally, another species, alderflies, are more important in monitoring water quality (McGavin, p 175). "Adults are found near cool, clean streams" (McGavin, p 175). As a result of this preference to thrive near clean streams, evidence of lower quantities of alderflies may be directly related to water pollution, thus causing the adult alderflies to relocate to cleaner water. This may also be the result of insecticide spraying in particular areas.
An important reason leaf-feeding insects are rare or absent on some kinds of trees and shrubs but abundant on others results from insecticide spraying on particular shrubs or trees. Many areas utilize insecticide spraying to reduce the insect population. It is quite probable that sprayers use the insecticide solution on certain types of plants and fail to use them on others for various reasons. As a result, the leaf-feeding insects thrive on those plants or shrubs which have no insecticides, or have insecticides they have grown to become immune. We often fail to realize we are not only reducing the insect population, but also the strength of the ecological system by also diminishing a vital source of food and nutrition from animals that feed on insects to survive, such as certain bird species.
It may sound easy to describe how insects fly, however it really is not easy at all. ... Finally and most important, all flying insects must have wings ( Pechenik, 1996 ). The physics which permit flight in insects is similar to that of an airplane. ... The types of wings and ways they are moved vary depending on the species of insect. ... An insect having wings reminds me of humans having automobiles. ...
The evolutionary success of insects is largely due to their exoskeleton. ... By natural selection herbivorous insects evolved chewing mouthparts, predatory insects developed sharp mouthparts for piercing prey, and parasitic insects (mosquitoes) specialised by elongating mouthparts to form a needle to suck blood (Hickman, 2011). ... The insect exoskeleton confers advantages and disadvantages on the growth of the insect. ... Insect movement is influenced by the exoskeleton. ... The external skeleton of insects provides multiple benefits for increasing an insect's chances of survival. ...
All of the structural components of the insect are vital to the function of an insect. ... So why are insects such good vectors? ... While insects have proved that they can be detrimental to our health, many insects are also beneficial. ... Many plants depend on insects for pollination, and some insects are responsible for the aeration of soil. ... In the preceding I have discussed why an organism is considered an insect, disease causing insects, why insects are such good vectors, and beneficial insects. ...
It may sound easy to describe how insects fly, however it really is not easy at all. ... Finally and most important, all flying insects must have wings ( Pechenik, 1996 ). The physics which permit flight in insects is similar to that of an airplane. ... The types of wings and ways they are moved vary depending on the species of insect. ... An insect having wings reminds me of humans having automobiles. ...
Defensive Coloration in Insects Of all the groups of organisms in the animal kingdom, insects are among the most interesting. ... However, many insects also have a back-up plan, referred to as secondary or active defenses. ... Therefore, many insects display "disruptive coloration" as part of their camouflage. ... In this way the insect further reduces the probability that it will be identified as prey. ... Aposematism also applies to insects that prove unpalatable or toxic when consumed. ...
For this assignment I chose The Shocking Sex Secrets of Insects by Dr. ... Each of these insects mating behavior and genitalia are unique. ... Zuk "The elaboration of insects' genitalia also has a more diabolical side. ... Zuk doesn't appear to try to scare or make insects seem gross. ... Crickets are like the "Frank Sinatra's" of the insect world. ...
The figure below shows our raw data for insects trapped on pitcher plants at different times of the day. ... This gives us the different times each category of insect is trapped by the pitcher plant in terms of percentages as below. ... Also this help us to make predictions of what time this two category of insects feed, since they visit the pitcher plant leave prominently for nectar. This gives us and inverse relationship between the feeding times of the two insect groups. ... We can reject the null hypothesis and affirm the claim that the pitcher plant is time selective in trap...
It worked, but this technique lost some effectiveness due to evaporation and loss into soils it also kills insects not considered pests to the corn. ... Switching from the old method to the new can protect beneficial insects like the Honeybee from the harmful pesticides. ... They result from fungal activity in insect-infested corn crops. With fewer insect holes in plant tissue, associated fungi are not able to invade and produce toxins. ...
1 The Grasshopper and the Bell Cricket Pure, satisfying happiness, harmony, sincerity, innocence, love and laughter compose a fond, vivid memory. Vibrant colors in every shade imaginable illuminate more than a Japanese embankment and a festive evening of smiles and friends...
