insects
edyong | November 21, 2009
Hardly a natural history documentary goes by without some mention of leafcutter ants. So overexposed are these critters that I strongly suspect they're holding David Attenborough's relatives to ransom somewhere. But there is good reason for their fame - these charismatic insects are incredibly successful because of their skill as gardeners.
As their name suggests, the 41 species of leafcutter ants slice up leaves and carry them back to their nests in long columns of red and green. They don't eat the leaves - they use them to grow a fungus, and it's this crop that they feed on. It's an old…
awild | November 20, 2009Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus
Goldenrod Soldier Beetles
Illinois, USA
Here at Myrmecos Blog we aim for a family-friendly atmosphere. Except for beetle sex. Sometimes we just can't resist.
(There's also plant sex going on here too, if you're into that sort of thing...)
Photo details: Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro lens on a Canon EOS 50D
ISO 100, f/13, 1/250 sec, diffused twin flash
grrlscientist | November 20, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
I love cicadas, and this video about a cicada who learns the "wrong" song is just so sweet! The star of this video was introduced to salsa music while still in his egg, but he still manages to find true love.
Can anyone tell me if there are cicadas in Frankfurt?
grrlscientist | November 19, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
About the true love of two apple worms becoming separated during harvest times, but like my love story, this one has a happy ending
grrlscientist | November 18, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
A love story, starring those sweet little ladybugs. But this love story has a hidden message under all the gooey kisses.
grrlscientist | November 18, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
Now this is a very cute video. It follows the story of a honeybee that flies into a house and becomes a prisoner inside. A fly discovers the trapped bee on the opposite side of the window glass and then the unexpected happens.
awild | November 17, 2009Andy Deans of NCSU rightly rakes ASU over the coals for their Ugly Bugs contest:
Denigrating insect species, broadly labeled here as bugs does a disservice to those of us who fight daily to convince a skeptical public...
grrlscientist | November 17, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
This video shows ant culture and society as you've never seen it before!
These videos are so education, don't you think?
awild | November 16, 2009I've had several people ask me recently where to focus when taking insect photos. Here's my advice.
Aim for the eyes.
Compare:
A phorid fly sits atop a fungus, its compound eye slightly ahead of the focal plane.
The same fly with its eye in the focal plane.
The second photo should be more appealing than the first. Indeed, the first looks out of focus. Strictly speaking, though, this isn't true.
The top photo shows a much greater percentage of the body in focus than does the bottom photo. Look at how crisp the outline of the fly appears in comparison to the blur of the body in the…
grrlscientist | November 16, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
This poor ladybug can't even find someone to play with! Those flies are just too greedy to be good playmates.
grrlscientist | November 15, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
If only NASA had watched this video before spending billions of dollars on the space program!
clock | November 15, 2009A reader sent me this picture, asking for an ID - it was taken in upstate New York:
grrlscientist | November 13, 2009tags: invertebrates, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
Continuing with the food theme.... This video follows the adventures that ensue after a fly discovers an already chewed piece of gum on the road.
grrlscientist | November 12, 2009tags: invertebrates, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
I absolutely love this video. It features an ant discovering a lollipop in the road and the battle that ensues between the ants and the flies over possession of this food bonanza. The end of this video is truly hilarious.
grrlscientist | November 12, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
A Ladybug family goes out for a Sunday flight with their three offspring. One of these youngsters is a wee bit hyperactive and sets out on a series of adventures of her own, as detailed in this video.
grrlscientist | November 11, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
A Ladybird educates her youngsters into the challenges and pleasures of life.
grrlscientist | November 11, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
What happens when a grasshopper gets the hiccups? How does a grasshopper get hiccups? This video explores these important questions.
grrlscientist | November 10, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, bentekr, animation, streaming video
I've watched this video several times and it is hilarious and well-done and will likely give you a smile too.
grrlscientist | November 10, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, satire, bentekr, animation, streaming video
If the previous video wasn't enough to make you laugh, then this one will do the trick. Silly, funny, fun, but .. is there a meaning to this?
Or maybe I should instead have entitled this "Ladybug pwns Dragonflies"?
grrlscientist | November 9, 2009tags: insects, comedy, humor, satire, bentekr, animation, streaming video
This is a silly video that will make you smile.