Kids Ask Dr. Bug: June edition

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:

• While a fly or two is fine, too many insects can lead to an upset tummy.
• Some insects can be dangerous to you and to your dog! For example, some brightly colored fuzzy caterpillars and certain beetles (e.g. blister beetles), can hurt animals. Bees and wasps can sting dogs, too. So, if you see your pup eyeing something suspicious, it's best to steer them away.
• Some insects carry parasites that can make your dog sick. Keeping your pup up-to-date on vaccinations and giving dogs their flea and tick prevention medicine helps reduce this risk.
• Dogs can have allergic reactions to insect bites and stings. Watch for itchy skin, rashes, or swollen skin/eyes, as well as anaphylaxis which can be life threatening. If this happens, contact your vet at once.

 
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
​