5/3 - Insects

Today's class was both filled with new and interesting information about insects, a huge part of the animal kingdom I knew little about. I have never been a huge fan of insects, despite coming from the South where they seem more numerous than the Puget Sound region. My perception of insects changed after today's class period, where I learned that they are both the most dominant and important lifeforms in the world. They play a vital role in food webs, accounting for the diet of a huge amount of creatures. Insects are important for recycling that must be done on earth. Wood, dung, and other substances would remain for a much longer time without the intervention of insects in helping to break them down. This recycling in turn causes soil formation, allowing for a more enriched soil on which plants can thrive. Insects both regulate and promote plant growth. By feeding on and killing plants, such as the beetles that will burrow into a tree causing death, insects keep plants in-check. The opposite is true as well, as insects are what keep plants alive by pollinating and spreading seeds.

Insect interaction with human life both causes harm and good. Insects love to eat the same plants that we do, so pest control over crops remains an on going struggle for farmers. Mosquitoes and other insects spread diseases to humans, such as malaria, which is an epidemic we have been struggling to end. Despite these negative aspects, humans have also found extremely helpful uses for insects. Insects are used to fight the other insects and pests that destroy crops, known as biocontrol. In many parts of the world, insects are a staple component in diet as they are easy to find and nutritious. Certain compounds and chemicals found in insects are being used for medicine and insects themselves are sometimes used in medical procedures.

Beetles make up around 1/3 of all insects and around 1/5 of all all animals. They have elytra, which are used to reduce air resistance when flying. These nocturnal animals start off as larvae, which is where most of their interaction with the world takes place. Bees, which evolved from wasps, play a huge role in ecosystems. Unlike beetles, they come out during the day and are closely tied to the flowers that they pollinate. Although most are solitary, some species form hives with a queen that is constantly producing new bees. I also learned about how bees swarm; this is when a hive becomes too big and splits in half, with one half remaining while the other searches for a new home.

Posted on June 1, 2012 06:09 AM by beardendb