|
by Tamra Reall, PhD, Field Specialist in Horticulture University of Missouri Extension - Urban West (Article used with permission from the Kansas City Gardener.) Why do some bugs make so much noise at night? Several insects, like crickets and katydids, make noise at night to find others of their species. Male crickets rub their wings together to create that chirping sound, hoping to attract a female or warn other males to stay away. Each cricket species has its own song, so if you listen closely, you can tell what kind of cricket is singing. Female crickets can’t make sounds because they don’t have the special file-and-scraper structures on their wings, but they do have ears—on their legs!—to hear the songs. Katydids also rub their wings together to make their distinctive sounds. This sound-making process is called stridulation. These insects are most active at night when it's cooler and there are fewer predators around. Next time you're outside in the evening, take a moment to enjoy the nighttime insect concert! For more fun facts about insect sounds, watch the Kids Ask Dr. Bug YouTube videos. August’s video was all about insect songs: https://youtu.be/-jCREA0nDOs Are any bugs scary looking but actually super helpful? Some people think that all critters with more than four legs are creepy, but the truth is, less than 2% of insects are pests—meaning over 98% are helpful or harmless! A lot of insects that look scary are actually great to have around. One of my favorite "scary" insects is the swallowtail butterfly caterpillar. When disturbed, it pops out two bright orange, antennae-like organs from its head and sometimes flings itself toward whatever is bothering it. These organs, called osmeteria, release a stinky smell to scare predators away. Praying mantises can be intimidating too, with their long, spiky legs and heads that turn to follow you. But they’re excellent hunters, eating insects that can damage your plants. Sometimes they catch helpful insects, but overall, they’re beneficial in the garden. And let's not forget spiders—though they’re not insects, they’re also very helpful! Spiders eat pests in the garden and in your home. My favorite is the jumping spider, with its big eyes and fuzzy body. Jumping spiders sometimes wave their arms to make themselves look bigger, but it's pretty cute. Male jumping spiders also have elaborate dance moves to attract a mate. Some people even keep them as pets, but I prefer to let them roam free in my garden to keep pests in check. One insect that doesn’t look scary but can be dangerous is the mosquito. They can spread diseases and bite without you even noticing. That’s why it's important to wear bug repellent and get rid of standing water where mosquitoes breed. Do bugs trick or treat? Not like we do, by dressing up and knocking on doors for candy, but insects definitely have their own tricks, and some offer treats as well! Many insects are masters of camouflage. One of the funniest tricks is played by caterpillars that look like bird poop. This clever disguise helps them avoid being eaten. Another sneaky insect is the walking stick, which looks very much like a twig and even sways like a stick in the breeze when it moves to blend in with its surroundings. Another insect that plays tricks is the caddisfly larva that dresses up like its surroundings by attaching whatever is nearby—sticks, leaves, or small stones—to its body with silk threads. Some insects give treats, too! Male insects often bring tasty gifts to females as part of courtship. Scientists think this helps the female get more nutrients, so she can lay healthier eggs so more of the offspring survives. Sometimes, though, the gift is meant to keep the female occupied so she doesn’t eat the male! Do people really eat bugs? Yes, in many parts of the world, people eat insects as a regular part of their diet. This practice is called entomophagy. Insects like crickets, grasshoppers, and mealworms are packed with protein, vitamins, and healthy fats, and seasonings can be added when cooking. People even say they taste good! Eating insects can also be good for the environment because farming insects uses fewer resources than raising animals like cows or chickens. While it might sound strange to some, eating bugs is actually quite common and nutritious. Plus, since it's impossible to keep all insect parts out of our food, you've already eaten some without even knowing it! How do entomologists use AI? Entomologists, like many other scientists, are exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can help us learn more. Generative AI can be very useful, but we have to be careful because it doesn’t always get things right. One of the cool things AI can do is compare lots of insect photos really fast to help identify different species. It can also make predictions about where certain insects might show up based on things like weather and habits. AI can even help scientists be more creative! For example, I used AI to make a fun insect game where you catch fireflies. Want to try it? https://bit.ly/CatchFireflies ~~~~ Did you know that there is a Kids Ask Dr. Bug video series? Check it out! https://bit.ly/KADBvideos Do you have questions for Dr. Bug? Send them to https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug To help her learn what you learn from this column, or to share feedback, please consider filling out this survey: https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugNGarden) is a horticulture specialist for MU Extension – Urban West Region. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833TREE (8733), email [email protected], or visit extension.missouri.edu. The University of Missouri is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer.  One of my favorite "scary" insects is the swallowtail butterfly caterpillar. When disturbed, it pops out two bright orange, antennae-like organs from its head and sometimes flings itself toward whatever is bothering it. These organs, called osmeteria, release a stinky smell to scare predators away. Photo credit: Dr. Bug  by Tamra Reall, PhD, Field Specialist in Horticulture, University of Missouri Extension - Urban West There are many ways to become an insect scientist, also called an entomologist. Entomologists, like Dr. Bug (me!), study the fascinating world of insects. In addition to studying insects, curiosity and education are key! Other useful subjects include math, chemistry, ecology, art, writing, and public speaking. Depending on your interests, here are some of the different kinds of entomologist you can become one:
Learn How Termites Talk! Termites use chemical trails to help nestmates find food and their way back home. Supplies:
What to do: 1.First, find your tiny team. Gently dig in moist soil near wood to find worker termites. Collect 5-ish with a paintbrush and put them in a container with a damp paper towel (keep it shady!). 2.On the paper, use a pen to draw simple shapes. 3.Using the paint brush, gently place a termite in the center of a shape and watch its path. Does it follow the line? 4.Repeat step 3 with different pens. Do the termites react differently? Observe and wonder: Can termites "smell" the pen ink? What might this tell us about how they communicate? See this experiment in action by clicking https://youtube.com/shorts/cscHDDX9e7k or scanning the QR code. Be a Water Strider Scientist! Water striders glide across the water's surface. Let's unlock their secret: surface tension! Supplies:
Skim the Science: 1.Fill the dish with water. 2.Gently place each object on the water. Does it float? 3.Touch the water near the object. Does it sink now? 4.If it still floats, add a little soap to the water Water Magic: Water has surface tension, like a thin "skin." This lets lightweight objects float, just like water striders! Touching the water disrupts this "skin," causing some objects to sink. Observe and wonder: What did you learn about floating objects? Being lightweight helps water striders to use surface tension. Water striders also have water-repellant hairs on their hind and middle legs to increase the surface area and help them glide on the water surface. Learn more about water striders here: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/water-striders Be an Insect Inspector: Build Your Own Traps! Let's see what creepy crawlies live in your backyard! Build these simple traps and observe the fascinating insect world. Supplies:
Trapped!
Remember: Identify insects using apps like iNaturalist or ask your local University Extension for help. Check pitfall and bottle traps daily and release insects carefully. Be mindful of anything that can sting or bite! ~~~~ Did you know that there is a Kids Ask Dr. Bug video series? Check it out! https://bit.ly/KADBvideos Do you have questions for Dr. Bug? Send them to https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug To help her learn what you learn from this column, or to share feedback, please consider filling out this survey: https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey
Home to more than plants, kids ask Dr. Tamra Reall about the curious things found in the garden.
(Article used with permission from the Kansas City Gardener.) Are there really zombie cicadas? If you’re thinking about brain-eating zombies from the movies, then no. However, there are indeed periodical cicadas that have mind- and body-controlling fungal infections that take over and control their actions. While male and female periodical cicadas can be infected, when the males are infected, it causes them to act like a female who is receptive to a male looking for a mate. By making the cicadas interact with each other, the fungus can spread to other cicadas. If you see a periodical cicada that looks like they have a piece of powdery chalk as their abdomen, this is the fungus. Sometimes, nearly the entire abdomen is missing, and the cicada will still be moving around! While this may seem like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, it’s really a fascinating example of how nature finds ways to survive and reproduce. It also shows us how connected everything in the ecosystem is. "Zombie cicadas" might sound scary, but they're an important part of the web of life! So, the next time you see a cicada, take a closer look. There is a lot we can learn from even the weirdest things in nature! Is it bad for my dogs to eat bugs? You might be surprised to learn that the occasional bug on the menu isn't a big deal for most dogs. In fact, for some curious pups, chasing and catching a fly or cicada is just part of the fun of being a dog! In most cases, an insect or two won't cause any harm and might even provide a little extra protein boost. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
If you're ever unsure about a particular insect, it's always best to err on the side of caution and avoid having your dog eat it, and/or consult your veterinarian. Why are you called Dr. Bug? Kids gave me that nickname years ago because my last name is a bit tricky. And, let's face it, Dr. Bug is way cooler, right? Plus, it goes perfectly with my job as an insect scientist! Speaking of cool bugs, did you know there's now a "Kids Ask Dr. Bug" cartoon on YouTube (https://bit.ly/KADBvideos)? Check it out on the @MUExtensionBugNGarden channel – it's full of fun facts about all sorts of creepy crawlies! Why do some insects, like ants and bees, work together as a team? Great observation! This is the kind of observation that scientists make to learn more about the world around us. If only some kinds of insects work together, you may have noticed that most insects do their thing on their own, or solitary. Solitary means that they don’t really interact with others of their species except for when it’s time to start the next generation. On the other hand, ants and honey bees are uniquely able to work together as a colony. This is because they are eusocial, or a superfamily, meaning that these related insects all live together and have specific responsibilities, including a queen and sometimes a king. Termites, paper wasps, and yellowjackets are more examples of eusocial insects. Colonies of eusocial insects may have hundreds, thousands, or even millions of individuals working together. The ability to work together gives these insects a huge advantage and they are able to do things that individual insects can’t do. Examples include building a giant anthill or making enough honey to feed the colony for an entire winter. Eusocial insects are able to build amazing homes, find food more efficiently, guard the colony, and take care of their young. If the colony is attacked, some may die while defending the colony, but there are many more who can keep the colony going! And, to work together well, communication and specialization are really important! Special chemicals called pheromones are used for much of the communication. Pheromones are scent-instructions, or smelly messages. Ants and termites leave pheromone trails to tell the colony where to find food and how to find the way back home. Colony members have a special scent that is unique to the colony so the guards at the nest entrance make sure only nestmates enter. Alarm pheromones are released, and vibrations are sounded throughout the colony if an invader has entered! Honey bees also use pheromones to protect the hive and let all the bees know that queen is alive and healthy. Foraging honey bees also use sound, scent, and dancing vibrations to tell hive mates where to find the best flowers for pollen and nectar. Tamra Reall, PhD (@MUExtBugNGarden) is a horticulture specialist for MU Extension – Urban West Region. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833TREE (8733), email [email protected], or visit extension.missouri.edu. Do you have questions for Dr. Bug? Send them to https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug To help her learn what you learn from this column, or to share feedback, please consider filling out this survey: https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey 
Termites work together as a team to break down wood and create a large nest for their colony.
Image: T. Reall 
by Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugNGarden) is a horticulture specialist for MU Extension – Urban West Region (Article used with permission from the Kansas City Gardener.) Get ready for a magical cicada spectacle this spring! Billions of buzzing insects from periodical cicada Broods XIII (13) and XIX (19) are emerging in April and May. Last seen together in 1803, they won't appear together again for another 221 years. In Missouri, we will just be seeing Brood XIX, while Brood XIII will be mostly in northern Illinois. I hope you will join the excitement, enjoy the rhythmic buzz, and marvel at nature’s spectacular show! What is the difference between periodical cicadas and the cicadas that come out every year? Periodical cicadas are like nature's timekeepers, following a mysterious, prime number schedule that scientists are still learning about. Having the longest life cycle in the insect world, periodical cicadas seem to magically appear together every 13 or 17 years. This is why their genus name is Magicicada! They spend most of their lives underground as nymphs feeding on the sap of tree roots. Then, as if waiting for the perfect moment, groups of Magicicada species, called a “brood,” emerge together all at once. These small, black cicadas with red eyes appear in such large numbers that they can cover trees. These clumsy fliers are easily captured by birds, squirrels, raccoons, and even dogs and cats. With so many emerging at the same time, many will survive to lay eggs for the next generation emerging in another 13 or 17 years later. Another fascinating feature of these insects is that the males sing together to attract females. In contrast, the large, green cicadas we see each summer have a shorter life cycle of 2-5 years and are known as annual or dog-day cicadas as some become adults every year. While these cicadas also sing in the trees, they give solo performances and do not synchronize like the periodical cicadas. Are periodical cicadas everywhere in the world? Although annual cicadas are found on every continent except Antarctica, periodical cicadas are only found in the eastern half of North America. Scientists do not know why they aren’t found anywhere else. There are four species of periodical cicadas in Brood XIX and these will emerge in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In Brood XIII, there are three species, and they are emerging in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, and possibly Michigan. Brood XIX, also known as the Great Southern Brood, emerges every 13 years, and Brood XIII (the Northern Illinois Brood) emerges every 17 years. 17-year broods tend to be in the northern states with cooler temperature zones, and 13-year broods tend to be in the warmer, southern states although there is a lot of overlap between 13- and 17-year broods. Why do cicadas shed their skin? Cicadas shed their skin to grow bigger. Like other insects, they have a hard outer covering called an exoskeleton. As they grow, their old exoskeleton becomes too small, so they shed it in a process called molting leaving behind old exuviae and growing new, larger exoskeletons. Do periodical cicadas hurt people, animals, or plants? Cicadas may land on people, but they won’t eat you – you don’t taste, feel, or smell right to them. That said, if one lands on you, gently brush it off, just in case the cicada is curious about what you might taste like! But, the cicadas can affect trees. Females lay their eggs in small twigs in trees. Large healthy trees aren’t harmed in the long term by this, although there may be dead twigs that fall after the cicadas are gone. Smaller trees can be damaged or even killed if not protected. Consider covering small, or newly planted, trees with a fine mesh material or cheesecloth to protect them during the 4-6 weeks the cicadas are out. Why do they make that loud sound? Males use a drum-like structure on their abdomen called tymbals to sing their loud, repetitive buzzing song, attracting female companions. A female will fly to the males and respond by quickly flicking her wings together if she likes his song. Periodical cicadas can be tricked by other vibrating sounds. They may be attracted to people mowing their lawns or using power tools. Periodical cicadas are loud! Because the males sing together, the buzzing sound can reach up to 100 decibels, which is as loud as a hair dryer, lawn mower, or a motorcycle. Consider wearing hearing protection if you will be outside for more than 15 minutes when the cicadas are singing to protect your hearing. What happens to cicadas after they mate and lay eggs? After mating, female cicadas lay their eggs in the branches of trees. They use a sharp ovipositor to make tiny slits in the bark, where they deposit their eggs. Males die soon after mating and females die after laying their eggs. A couple of weeks later, the eggs hatch and young cicada nymphs fall to the ground and burrow into the soil where they'll spend the next 13 or 17 years before starting the cycle all over again! ~~~~ Did you know that there is a Kids Ask Dr. Bug video series? Check it out! https://bit.ly/KADBvideos Do you have questions for Dr. Bug? Send them to https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug To help me learn what you learn from this column, or to share feedback, please consider filling out this survey: https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey  Known for their red eyes, cicada eyes actually can be several colors. Photo courtesy of Gene Kritsky, Mount St. Joseph University  by Dr. Tamra Reall, University of Missouri Extension There are yellow, orange, red ladybugs - are they all actually ladybugs? Yes, they are all part of the ladybug family! Ladybugs, also called ladybirds, belong to a big beetle family. Ladybugs are oval-shaped and can be yellow, orange, or red like what you have found. They can also be gray, black, brown, or even pink! Sometimes they have spots, but not always. So, if you see a little beetle with an oval body and different colors like yellow, orange, or red, it might just be a ladybug, even if it doesn’t have spots. Ladybugs come in lots of beautiful colors! Why can bugs and spiders live inside our house during winter, but there aren’t any insects outside in the cold? Think of our homes as cozy hideouts for insects and spiders during winter! Just like we find our houses warm and comfy, these critters seek refuge from the freezing cold outside. Those who come indoors may not be built to be active outside in the chilly temperatures, so they move inside where it's warm and there's food. Our homes offer refuge for them to stay snug until it gets warmer outside. You might be happy to know that not all arthropods can survive the winter indoors because our homes are usually too dry for them. Common arthropods that come inside are nonnative ladybugs, stink bugs, or spiders. If you find them indoors, you can gently scoop them up and release them back outside. Or you can use a vacuum. But watch out—some insects, like stink bugs, can give off a funky smell if vacuumed up! Also, after cleaning, remember to empty the vacuum and take out the trash to keep these uninvited guests from returning! How do insects survive when it gets so cold or warm in the same week? Insects are experts at handling changing weather. As fall and winter arrive, some insects enter a dormant stage called diapause, almost like hibernation, to prepare to survive harsh conditions. Many insects rely on light to let them know what season we are in, rather than the temperature because it can change so much during our winters. So, even if it warms up for a day or two, they will stay in their dormant stage. Other insects can adjust to the changing temperatures and emerge or become active as the weather is favorable. Still, others do not survive when it gets cold enough, so they die off for the winter. Then, either their offspring emerge in the spring, or others of their species migrate here from southern climates as the weather warms up here. Insect abilities to change behaviors, life stages, and even body functions help them handle changing weather without skipping a beat. How does climate change affect bugs? Climate change affects insects in some big ways. Because of their short lifespans, many insects are super adaptable, but even they struggle when things get too out of whack. With the changing weather patterns, insects might have to move around more to find food and the right conditions to live in. Unfortunately, some insects can end up causing problems by moving into new places where they shouldn't be, like invasive pests crashing in where they don't belong and eating plants we don’t want them to eat. Brown marmorated stink bugs and Japanese beetles are examples of invasive pests. You know how some insects and plants work together, such as bees and butterflies that pollinate flowers that create fruit? Well, the changing climate can affect that, too. Pollinators and their favorite flowers might not sync up like they used to, meaning flowers might bloom before the bees or butterflies have emerged to pollinate them. It's like they're playing different tunes in a band and it gets confusing! This is a big issue, and it will take a lot of cooperation between governments, corporations, and organizations. However, we can help! Planting more flowers is awesome because it gives pollinators more food and we get more beautiful flowers. Using IPM (that's Integrated Pest Management, a fancy term for controlling pest insects without using too many chemicals) is very helpful too for the survival of beneficial predators who capture pests, so we don’t have to. Turning off lights at night is good because it helps insects that rely on the stars, moon, or Milky Way at night to navigate. So, creating more bug-friendly places for insects to live is a win-win. We can make a difference by helping our arthropod friends adapt to a changing world! What's something strange about insects? One incredibly unusual thing about insects is their diversity in communication. While many insects use sounds to communicate, some have really unique methods. For instance, treehoppers communicate by vibrating stems, honey bees dance to tell their sisters where to find the best nectar and pollen, and fireflies use light to attract mates. Also, many insects use pheromones, which are like special perfumes, to signal danger, attract partners, or create trails to find food and their way home. Their communication methods are exceptionally diverse and fascinating, showing just how creative nature can be! Do you have questions for Dr. Bug? Send them to https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug To help me learn what you learn from this column, or to share feedback, please consider filling out this survey: https://bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey Did you know that there is a Kids Ask Dr. Bug video series? Check it out! https://bit.ly/KADBvideos  |
Categories
All
Archives
December 2024
|
RSS Feed
