Noted these spider webs on my morning walk. Impressive!
Jurassic insect wore eggs on its legs. Researchers analyzed roughly 160 fossils of Karataviella popovi. Roughly 163.5 million years old.
This is probably a first for this food. Just fed some pink glow designer pineapple to my hissing cockroaches. They are ignoring it. Ha!
Just learned about Australian McGraths Flat Miocene fossil assemblage. Many thanks to Ruth for making me aware.
Interesting discovery. An ant species help heal a tree. This relationship accidentally discovered in Costa Rica.
Sad to learn of the death of Edward O. Wilson. He was one of those rare individuals who made such a massive impact on the lives of so many. Including me. He will be missed.
Learned a new word today - kleptopharmacophagy. Vampire butterflies attack caterpillars of their own species. I couldn’t make this up if I wanted to.
Interesting study of fruit fly wing morphology and some possible evolutionary limits.
Fun fact for those in the US celebrating Labor Day today. There is a species of ant called the Labor Day ant.
Excited and honored to be an instructor again this year at Sun Foundation’s Art and Science in the Woods. My focus is on central Illinois insects.
How cool is this? New species of beetle discovered in fossil dinosaurs dung.
For those in areas where cicadas (Brook X) willbe emerging soon, here is a nice article. What to know about cooking cicadas.
As a member of the American Entomological Society, I am able to participate in their Zoom webinars. Today’s topic is edible insects. Who wants recipes? 😜
Looking for a free fun family activity this spring and summer? Investigate our Science Treasure Hunt. It begins today (April 17, 2021 and ends September 5, 2021. Please share with your family and friends. Children grades K - 8 are eligible to participate. Many thanks to @derek_rucker and Tate Bosler (T6 Software LLC) for their efforts in developing this site.
The last meal of a Cretaceous pollinator. Yes, beetles are an important group of pollinators.
Interesting article. Stomach contents of 47 million year old fly fossil from Germany reveal it (fed on pollen)[https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-just-found-a-47-million-year-old-fossilized-fly-and-we-can-see-it-s-last-meal].
Working with Watercolor Artist Photoshop Action Set. @AdobeCreate Central Illinois scarab beetle (Phanaeus vindex) rendered as a watercolor. This was my first attempt. Your thoughts?
Another attempt using Watercolor Artist Photoshop Action Set. @AdobeCreate Bolivian beetle (Macrodontia cervicornis) rendered as a watercolor. What do you think?
I found this article fascinating. Who knew that you could find well preserved beetles inside wood submerged in a peat bog.
Interesting article - why mosquitos find your warm blood so appealing.
Fun fact on this cold December morning - there is only one endemic species of insect in Antarctica. Belgica antarctica Jacobs, 1900 (the Antarctic midge). It also has one of the smallest known insect genomes (at roughly 13,500 genes). It is flightless as an adult. Appaently, it also requires a freezing climate to survive.
This was definitely news to me. The elaborate structures on treehoppers (Membracidae) use wing genes to grow. More details in this article at smithsonianmag.com. I have always been fascinated by these tiny creatures and their elaborate skeletal structures.