Juicing and Eating Right

When you look at most insects, their diet consists of fresh fruits, vegetables and the yummy juices their food providers make. Let's not forget the exercise insects do either. Their example is really a great one to mimic. Why do I say so?  Juicing Juicing is a great way for your body to absorb nutrients from fruits and vegetables. Most of us have made some seriously wrong food choices that impairs our body's ability to absorb vital nutrients. Juicing is way of getting these proper nutrients back into your body. Freshly made juice Thanks jeltovski - Morgue file I juice at least twice a day. I have a breakfast juice and one in the evening with/for dinner. I have to say I feel more energized. I also notice my skin is clearer and more supple. There's some great juicers out there along with some great juice recipes to incorporate into your active lifestyle, just go to any search engine and you'll find plenty of information out there. Although we haven't used allot of juicers, we like the Vitamix. Here's another link I found for some good juicers. Fruits & Vegetables According to the CDC website (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) it suggests that diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. They also provide the vitamins, minerals and fiber that's needed for good health. There's many diseases that can be prevented as we get older, if we make the right food choices when we are younger. Make sure you eat a variety, the color of the rainbow, to receive the most health benefits. When grocery shopping stay on the outer edges of the store, most of the food in the aisles is processed and filled with additives and preservatives that your body doesn't need. Exercise Humans are the only ones that need to be told to move. Well if you haven't moved in a while, here's some reasons that might motivate you to get up and exercise. Regular exercise can help prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and more. Group Walking Thanks Morgue File- Xenia It will also improve stamina, flexibility and help with weight loss. If you're just starting out, start slowly and work up to more difficult routines. Your  body needs to be challenged and will get used to the same exercises in a short time, so change things up. If you start out walking 1/2 a mile, challenge yourself to go further and eventually add weights. By following these guidelines, you'll see a remarkable improvement in your life and you'll be happier knowing that you made some positive changes! Let me know how you're doing... What program works best for you? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Posted on: 11 March 2013 | 2:37 pm

Reaching Your Goals

Today is day 38 of getting back into shape. I was so happy yesterday, because as I stepped on the scale I lost 2 lbs to reach a 10 lb weight goal of mine! I was hooping and hollering! This morning that all changed, I stepped on the scale and gained 2.4 pounds! What?!! How did that happen? Did someone rig my scale, while I was sleeping? Where's that horrible scale monster? I was so disappointed....it really made me frustrated, sad, and mad! But the reality is that it is what it is for right now.  Steps to Reaching your Goals Thank u - fitnahurry.com So how do you stay motivated when faced with these downers? Here's what I did.... I found this article that especially motivated me to keep going STRONG and here are the reasons it offered: It builds your CONFIDENCE. How do you feel when you reached your destination - you jogged your first time around the block? You walked up those flight of stairs without losing your breath? Seeing your progress, increases your confidence. Make the time fly by. If  you feel that the week is taking longer than it should, get to work and start planning. If you have something to work towards then it makes the time fly by more quickly. Stay in motion, this leads to great results. I like this thought....when you stay in motion, not only are you reaching your goal, but you're working to keep the streak alive. There's more reasons, but these are the ones that worked for me. Find your source of motivation and let that inspire you to keep the streak alive! (That may include a confidant such as a family member or friend.)  Walking on the beach Thank you nationalnursingreview.com Exercise: There's no one size fits all routine. You know your body better than anyone else, so as you begin your workout program, find routines that you enjoy that will keep you motivated to keep going . Here's a tip:  I love walking - instead of embarking on a 10 mile walk, I decided that I will build up to  that distance.  A friend has let me borrow Leslie Sansone, Walk Away the Miles dvd. I'm in the beginning stages, so I'm up to 2 miles. This dvd will take me up to 4 miles. I'll figure out what I'm going to do after I reach the 4 mile marker. But I'm excited and it's working! So find something that works for you and stick to it! You can do it! Congratulatory jump! Thx 123rf.com I'm very excited to see how things are going in a couple of months.....I'll keep you posted! Let me hear your thoughts.....what goals are you planning to achieve this year? Thank you to; http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=196

Posted on: 18 January 2013 | 3:45 pm

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Have you ever confided in a friend about something personal, only to find out that your confidence was broken? How did that make you feel? What did you do about it? People talking Thank you eastridgeprint.com The reality is that most of us have been through these situations. But, why do some people seem to bounce back while others, once bitten twice shy, put up a wall and won't let anyone else back in? First, let's say that minor disappointments are a part of life, and we can make it through if we allow our self too.  But what about more serious matters? Well, being frustrated may be the least of the feelings you experiencing. ANGER, HURT, SADNESS, REVENGE may be the gamete of emotions your experiencing. You may also begin to question your friend's loyalty. Calvin & Lucy powerpointforpreachersblog Trying to figure out why your friend did this can be useful, if you direct your energies in the right way.  You may be thinking yea, you better believe I'm going to get to the bottom of this, or the opposite feeling is i'm gonna cut them off for good now, I don't want to hear a word they have to say! That's not the type of positive directing of energy I'm talking about. So before you take any action and regret it later, here's some things to think about. The benefit of communicating calmly: allows your friend the opportunity to express why the confidence was broken. It may be that the confidence slipped out - it was a mistake.   Something to think about:  Does your friend have a pattern of revealing confidences? In truth, there are some people that aren't good at keeping things confidential and it's better to find someone else to tell more personal matters too. So it's better not to confide in them in the first place. But what if it's a rarity? This is a friend who's known for keeping things quiet. Try to learn and discern the most you can from this situation. It was a true slip of the lips, how would you want to be treated if the shoe were on the other foot? What does the friendship mean to you? What if your friend offers a HUGE apology and has even made amends for what they've done? What if they approached you first before you had to approach them? Let the person's actions show you, what you need to do next. In most cases, the friendship is worth saving. extension.entm.purdue.edu Insect keeping record score! Did you know that insects don't have this problem with confidentiality or breaking it. Their style of communicating is much different than humans. So we have a special gift and how we use it says allot about who we are as person and what means the most to us on the inside. So what's your reputation? Do you use the gift of speech to draw people to you or push them away? Use it in a way that shows your appreciation!

Posted on: 14 January 2013 | 4:15 pm

Lose Weight Now in 2013

You know how we mentioned in a previous blog that it's impossible for insects to suffer from obesity. Well it's true! The interesting thing is that it's instinctive within them to stop eating at a certain point. They also exercise instinctively too. When's the last time you saw a PX90 workout for insects? Ant lifting its own body weight! Thanks cliparttoday.com Did you know that humans are the only ones that need to be told to exercise or to get up and move? So as many people are making weight loss goals for themselves and trying to lose weight. Think for a minute of how the insect world works and how it can inspire you to lose weight. Insect Inspiration: Ever notice that most insects do things together - could a single honey bee make honey on its own? Can a single ant get all the work done in the colony?  Find someone that you can partner with on a weight-loss program. Benefits of having a workout buddy:   Your friend can inspire you to keep working out, commend you on the progress you're making and hold you accountable when you're tempted to bite into that pizza! In truth, as you start to lose weight, and depending on how much weight you need to lose, generally you start talking about things that led up to the over-eating in the first place - that is if you were an emotional eater. So make sure your workout buddy is a trusted confidant! Thank you Bloggers.com Insect Inspiration: Insects listen to their instinct and stop eating when their body tells them too. The lesson is for us is obvious. Also it's important to remember PORTION CONTROL. The problem is we live in a society that encourages just the exact opposite. Enormous portions are served at restaurants - which means more calories, you will underestimate how much food you're really eating, &  now you're eating more than you really should. So work at eating less and you'll feel MUCH better! Insect Inspiration: Insects know what to eat, the type of food that's good for their body. Healthy Foods! Thank you dirusp! The sad truth is fast food is so accessible and easy to grab - that it's the preferred choice for dinner for most families these days.  Did you ever see the documentary Super Size Me? It provided a glimpse into the world of a man who ate fast food for a month and the horrors that happened to him from living on such a diet.  So the key to losing weight is not by taking a specific pill, it requires hard work and determination. The insect world around teaches us that, too! What are your thoughts, how have the insects inspired you?

Posted on: 9 January 2013 | 2:53 pm

Asian Long-Horned Beetle

When you think of a natural disaster, what comes to your mind? Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Tsunamis, Forest Fires....? While we can't take those things lightly or the loss that they cause, there's another plague that has the potential to cause a great amount of damage to the environment around us. Yes, I'm talking about the Asian Long-Horned Beetle...aka Anoplophora Glabripennis. Asian Long-Horned Beetle, Thanks uvm.edu This particular beetle is destructive to maples and other hardwoods. It made its first appearance in Brooklyn, New York in 1996. It's thought to have arrived in the U.S. from wood pallets or other wood materials that were shipped in from Asia. Here's a timeline and list of destinations of where the beetle has traveled to. Asian Long-Horned Beetle 1996 Brooklyn, New York 1998 Chicago, Illinois* 2002 Hudson, New Jersey* 2004 Middlesex & Union Counties, New Jersey 2008 Worcester County, Mass. 2010 Suffolk County, Mass. 2011 Clement County, Ohio * eradicated  as of 2008* Once these beetles are detected, authorities act quickly to prevent the spread of them, by chopping down the tree/s and destroying the wood. While these beetles are more delighted to feast on the maple tree, it's has grown a palette for poplars, willows, elms and a few more. The reason authorities act so quickly is there is no known predator for these beetles. There were public announcements made, so that folks would know what to look for and the seriousness of the infestation...check out this Youtube video... Also, these beetles bore holes into the trees and this weakens the vascular function of the tree and leaves them so weak, that the tree weakens and falls over. The U.S. has already taken measures to prevent this beetle or any other insect from doing this again. On it's import of woods from China...there's a fumigation process that the woods undergo....and inspectors claim that they have already prohibited many insects from entering the country. In addition to the information on this blog....you can check out the information on the following website...                   http://www.baycounty-mi.gov/Docs/Health/GypsyMoth/AsianLonghorn.pdf This blog is for informational purposes only...

Posted on: 31 December 2012 | 12:34 pm

How Much More Can You Learn From An Insect

Remember the school yard rhyme, two little lovebirds sitting in a tree......first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage. Two Luvbirds sitting in a tree! Thank you 123rf.com In some lands when the baby comes, expecting parents are excited and nervous awaiting their new arrival. Once the baby (or babies) are at home, things change in ways the parents may not have imagined.  After 18 years or so, the nesting process changes, in some countries the parents urge their young adult child, to move out and get a place of their own. While in other countries, parents find it unnatural to encourage their child to move out....unless they're getting married or another major event happens.  Insects have different parenting techniques than humans. However they do offer some great insight into life that might be interesting. Most insects spend the majority of their life in the developing stages and little time in the adult stage (check out my blog on cicadas and butterflies). These stages aren't rushed, they develop naturally. If they were rushed, then it could prove to be fatal to them. Butterflycolony Thank u Worldmustbcrazy.com Do you see a valuable lesson in this? Parents should be patient with their children and teach their children to be patient with others. Remember, all of us develop and grow at different levels . If we set unreasonable expectations of growth for others, we'll set ourselves up to be highly disappointed. So try not to compare our children with each other and help them not to compare themselves to others. Then we can be happy when we see progress each individual is making.  Each insect has a function it performs (bees pollinate flowers, some insects eat dead carcasses or clean up the debris from the earth) and they do it without being paid. So at a young age, children can be taught to do a job well done....praise them for it and help them to see how their good conduct contributes to a happy home atmosphere. This will encourage them to continue that good behavior.  What interesting things have you learned from the insects around you? I'd love to hear from you. 

Posted on: 28 December 2012 | 6:17 pm

I Never Learned That From An Insect Before

"Oh this is an easy one", some people say, while others want to learn the hard way. Making decisions isn't always easy. Some people can look at a problem, put on their problem solving hat and boom...a variety of solutions at their fingertips. While others will look at a problem and don't have the foggiest idea how to solve it. There could be many reasons for this, but what I'm talking about is learning how to make decisions without going through the school of hard knocks to find the solutions. Thank you iianalytics.com What's interesting, is that insects don't go through this process in the same way as humans. They're driven by instinct and humans give forethought and evaluate things based on what they know and then make a decision. With that said, there still some things that we can learn from the insects. Let's see how. Imagine the following scenario: Your child comes running into the room begging you for a new phone. It's the latest technology and "every kid" at school has one.  So now you as a parent have a decision to make....and the next words out of your mouth should be chosen carefully. Maybe a delayed response is better until you can gather your thoughts together more carefully.... When faced with decisions, at first we may see the outside framework of things, but we need to piece the picture together....to get to the heart of matters. Let's take the situation we just discussed: The child already has a phone that was purchased for him 6 months ago, if you buy this new phone will the child want an updated version of it in another six months....the answer to that question is YES. What's really the motive for wanting this new phone? Children aren't the only ones who do foolish things, adults do too. Many adults want more than they have. For instance, an adult may have food for the day, clothing to wear and a place to live. But they want more, LOTS more. Designer clothes, BIGGER houses and FINER foods. All these things cost money. So many adults work longer hours to get the things they want to the neglect of their family. At some point we have to ask ourselves the hard questions....and be willing to face the truthful answers. Thanks Colin Anderson - Yahoo Images If insects had this problem of greed, can you imagine what our planet would look like? Queen ant says" I want a much bigger nest than what we have already, I want to live on top of a hill where our home can become so big, it can be SEEN for miles. No other ants will be able to reach us we'll be the envy of all other ants." We'd be overrun by insects....and they'd win, there's more of them than there are of us....! Instead, insects are free from any desire to gain more...free from the burdens of keeping up with Jones, and free from being accepted by others based on what they have or don't have in a material way. In life, children will not always get what they want and if we teach them this lesson at an early age, they'll be more prepared to accept this fact at a later age and adjust to life better. Many times we don't think of the practical ways insects can help us.....but if we look hard enough, we can find plenty of things to learn from them.

Posted on: 27 December 2012 | 11:50 am

Insect Vacations

So where do you plan to vacation this winter? What warm weathered areas will you seek out.....Florida, Brazil, Kenya? Will you opt out of a vacation for a stay-cation? Whatever choice you make, the plan is to bond with your loved ones or friends, to relax and renew yourself to keep you going... I'm ready for take off!! Beautiful flowers growing on the Turks & Caicos Islands Sometimes things sound much easier than what they really are....but with a little hard work it's amazing the destinations you can see. For instance, a goal of mine is to visit another country in 2013.... in order to do that I'm cutting corners where I can. So my weekly drives to Starbucks are now weekly drive right byes,  squashing the urge to splurge has become savings in my glass jar. It's amazing when you set your mind to accomplish a goal, and you see things coming together, the inspiration it gives you to keep going. Red or Green Salsa...or both?  What will you choose? What happens though, when things don't come together as we'd like them to? Then it's time to go with Plan B, C, D and so on.....don't give up, just re-direct. What do I mean by that? Let's take my planned travel trip for next year as an example. The country may be safe to travel to today, but what happens if the country  comes under travel advisory warnings in the future? Then it's time for a Plan B..it's time to redirect. Why am I blogging about these things? Because the difference between insects and humans is instinct and forethought. Insects are instinctively driven to their destinations, like a monarch butterfly traveling to Mexico for the winter or dragonflies that cross the sea from southern India to Africa. They don't wonder what types of sunsets or sunrises they'll enjoy, or contemplate the meaning of of life while they're there....Why? Because they're driven by instinct. On the other hand, humans should give forethought to the decisions they make, we should reason things out. Why? Because we're the only living things that have the unique ability to make decisions. This decision making ability is truly a beautiful gift and is a reflection of who we are as a person and what and who we really appreciate inside. So we want to make our decisions wisely....since no one else can make them for us. So if you're traveling, learn from the insects........would they ever do anything to put themselves in danger? Do they plan ahead? Remember, the worst decisions we make are usually the ones we don't give a whole lot of thought too, so think ahead and know your options. Then you can enjoy the decisions you make more often....I'd love to hear from you...where are you planning to travel to?

Posted on: 21 December 2012 | 11:26 am

Obesity in Insects

The Biggest Loser,  MTV's " I Used To Be Fat", and Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Show..all have millions of viewers watching each week. Contestants try to lose a huge sum of weight within a certain time frame...either for a money prize, fame, or to inspire others to lose weight.... Thanks imway2fat.wordpress.com With so many shows on the air about weight-loss, and even the President's wife making guests appearances, it's clear that good health and being in shape is on the mind's of many! Some start out losing weight with all the hopes and dreams in the world. Then after a couple of weeks and a few pounds lost, the determination is lost and it's back to eating pizza and drinking diet coke's again. So what can you do about this? Better yet, have you ever wondered if insects can gain weight or if they suffer from obesity? First let's discuss human weight loss. The best way to lose weight is to do it slowly and to do it right. There's no fast or quick fix to this problem.  So listen to your body as you make your way through your weight-loss journey....and make the adjustments. You'll enjoy a happier, healthier YOU! Did you know that insects don't suffer from obesity? Unlike humans, with an internal skeleton that's covered by skin that stretches when we gain weight. Insects have an exoskeleton, that are on the outside of their body. Their rigid, unlike our soft, supple skin. Thanks naldzgraphics.net When insects begin to eat, they have nerves in the stomach that tell them to stop eating, and they do. Don't get me wrong, some insects gorge in one sitting and may become bloated, but their body will process the food and they'll return to normal size or weight. So essentially, insects don't suffer from obesity or problems with being overweight. Scientists have performed experiments where they unplugged the nerve in the insects stomach that tells them to stop eating...do you know what happened? Yep you guessed it....they eat so much that pressure builds up on the inside and the insect explodes. So the nerves in the insects stomach act as a safety device! Good for them! Also, scientists have also found that insects in the larvae state may overeat, but their metabolism speeds up to compensate for the extra food, so that the insect doesn't have to do "extra" exercise. Scientists are trying to figure out how this technique can be applied to humans. Let me know your thoughts.....do  you think scientists will ever figure it out? Thank you http://www.strangequestions.com/question/737/Can-bugs-be-overweight.html

Posted on: 19 December 2012 | 4:39 pm

Insect Chill-Coma

As we put on our scarfs, hats, coats & gloves for the winter season....what do our fellow insects do to keep warm during the cold? Is there a mini-mall for them to purchase their winter attire? If there were, I'd bet it'd be hopping....! Snow covered home Did you know that insects go into a chilled coma state when it's cold outside? What makes this happen? Let's start by saying that insects are cold-blooded creatures. They don't have an internal mechanism to help them regulate their body temperature. They mostly rely upon solar energy to warm them up. So during the winter, without much sunlight, insects go into this chilled coma. A chilled coma happens during the colder weather months where insects lose their ability to regulate salt and water balances in their muscles. Water moves from the insects blood into the gut, and this leaves a concentrated amount of potassium in the blood, rendering the insects muscles as paralyzed. So if their muscles can't move, they can't move. They may look dead, but their bodies are waiting to receive power from the sun, it's kind of like a natural reboot! Butterfly at rest! Hasenscheck@wordpress.com Ever been outside on a cold morning and seen an insect motionless, that's because it's in a chilled coma state. My friend and I were out doing volunteer work one Saturday morning and saw this very thing. A beautiful butterfly was lying on the ground ...but after a while, the sun came out and the butterfly was gone. We watched the entire process, it was beautiful! So why is it so important to know this? Cold tolerances of insects can be measured. Climate change can be predicted on certain insects. In the norther states, insects are often more cold tolerant than their counterparts in the southern states. Warming temperatures may allow for less hardy insects to survive than for more hardy ones. So scientists are watching this trend.....

Posted on: 14 December 2012 | 9:41 am

New way of hearing for insects

What does an insect have in common with a toothed whale .....Give up? Toothed Whale - Thanks ecokids.ca Scientists recently discovered that both insects and whales share a common way of hearing... The discovery was made in the New Zealand insect called the weta. These insects rely on a unique lipid made of oils and fats to hear the wonderful world around them. Weta at rest1 Thx, treknature.com According to Science Daily, Dr. James Windmill, of the University of Strathclyde's Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, said: The discovery is interesting as previously only toothed whales were known to use this hearing system component, the lipid. There are many similarities in the use of lipids to amplify the sounds and help both animal groups to hear.  Thanks to:  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121213084939.htm What's interesting about this discovery is that animals on such opposite ends of the spectrum hear things in the same manner and that makes scientists wonder who else is packing this type of sound system. Before this discovery, scientists thought the liquid filled cavity used to carry sound to the hearing organs was blood in the insects body. But with new tissue analysis and 3D imaging techniques, scientists discovered a tiny organ in the insects ears that seems to be responsible for producing the lipid. It's also believed that crickets and katydids use this same type of hearing techniques. I can't wait to hear more about this!! What have you heard lately about the insects around you? Let me know......

Posted on: 13 December 2012 | 7:25 pm

Edible Insects

John the baptizer ate them, Angelina Jolie said her boys eat them like Doritos chips, Selma Hayek said eating them is part of her culinary heritage. What about you? Have you ever tried eating insects? For some people this may sound strange, but for a majority of people around the globe, eating insects is a part of normal every day life. What's the attraction? Check out this nutritional chart.....                               Prot  Carb  Fat   Cal   Iron Giant Water Beetle 19.8 8.3 2.1 43.5 13.6 Red Ant 13.9 3.5 2.9 47.8 5.7 Silk Worm Pupae 9.6 5.6 2.3 41.7 1.8 Dung Beetle 17.2 4.3 .2 30.9 7.7 Cricket 12.9 5.5 5.1 75.8 9.5 Grasshopper 20.6 6.1 3.9 35.2 5.0 Grasshopper 14.3 3.3 2.2 27.5 3.0 June Beetle 13.4 1.4 2.9 22.6 6.0 Caterpillar 28.2 N/A N/A N/A 35.5 Caterpillar 9.7 N/A N/A N/A 1.9 Termite 14.2 N/A N/A N/A 35.5  Weevil 6.7 N/A N/A N/A 13.1 What do these insects taste like? Depending on how their made, one source said eating crickets can taste like popcorn with hints of chilies and green onions. Yep, and just as popcorn gets stuck in your teeth, so do the antennae of crickets. Some caterpillars depending on species and how they're made can taste like prawns. Trivia: an eater of insects is called Entomophage Italy: Did you know that in Sardinia  Italy you can eat a cheese infested with insect larvae? It's called Casu Marzu. It's a soft sheep's cheese, that's been fermented so long that its begun to ferment, which invites insect larvae. Casu Marzu -Thank u-  Blackrainbownihon@blogspot.com Thailand: As gross as this may sound to some, did you know that you can purchase a bag of crickets, that have been caught in the wild, flash-frozened, cleaned, cooked and lightly salted for a whopping $6.00? Bag of crickets - Thanks flavourgasmic.com Have you ever tried an insect? I'd love to hear from you...what's your favorite?

Posted on: 13 December 2012 | 3:16 pm

Amazing Insects

What's your claim to fame? Can it top any of the insects you see here? Check out these stunning creatures! Glass-winged Butterfly - Thanks Flickr! Where do Glass Winged Butterflies live? They love rain forests. Sightings of them have been seen in Mexico to Panama, Costa Rica and as far south as Venezuela. Costa Rica claims to be home to 64 different species of these butterflies. Interesting Fact: While these butterflies appear to be fragile in nature, they have been known to carry 40 times their own weight and have been clocked at speeds of 8 mph on short distance flights. Wingspan: 2.2-2.4 inches, they don't have colored scales patterning the veins of its wings as most butterflies do, theirs are translucent, giving it that glass appearance.  Un-be-weevil-able! Giraffe Weevil - Thanks Flickr! Where do Giraffe Weevils live? the island of Madagascar Interesting Fact: Discovered in 2008, so not that much is known about it yet. Neck: The males typically have necks 3x longer than the females, they  use this for building nests(they roll back leaves of a host plant so that the female can lay a single egg inside, giving the newborn something to munch on) and fighting other males to win the attention of the future female companions. Red Velvet Ant - Thanks Mark Gelbart@wordpress.com Where do Red Velvet Ants live? More common in southern and western states of the US, but have been spotted up North too. Interesting Fact: Fuzzy, wuzzy was a.... wasp?!! These are actually female wasps without wings.The males have wings and are rarely seen.  They're also nick-named cow-killer because of the intensity of their sting...not that their sting can really kill a cow, OUCH! Body: These critters may look all cute and cuddly, but don't pick one up, you'll get stung. It has layers of hair on its body that make it look fuzzy. Have you seen any unique looking insects lately? I'd love to hear from you.....

Posted on: 12 December 2012 | 2:47 pm

Friendly Insect Pesticides

Trying to find a new way to get rid of those pesky bugs? Are the bugs around your home resistant to the repellent you've been spraying with? Well check out this piece of news.... A team of Belgium scientists have discovered that the venom of the sea anemone has the promise to become a new way of getting rid of those pesky bugs. The positive thing about this discovery is that the sea anemone's toxins are environmentally friendly and there's no way for the insect to become resistant to the anemone's venom. Anemone , Thanks Gatetrails.com - Google Images Here's a quote from Phys.org regarding the sea anemone's venom: "Are toxins friend or foe? The more we understand these toxins, the more friend, and less foe," said Jan Tytgat Ph.D., co-author of this study from the Laboratory of Toxicology at the Univerisity of Leuven in Leuven, Belgium. "Toxicology shows us how to exploit Nature's biodiversity for better healing and healthier living." How was this discovery made? The team of scientists extracted venom from the sea anemone and purified three main toxins present in the venom. Using biochemical and electrophysiological techniques, the toxins were analyzed in depth. This information gave the team of scientists insight into their functional components, structure and mechanisms of action. The interesting thing is that since sea anemone's live on coral reefs, and many people feel that this should cause a conservation affect, but others think differently. Proponents for this also see that these toxins can also help humans who suffer from seizure and epileptic disorders, cardiac disorders, and could also help with the development of pain medication. It's interesting how long a person can devote themselves to a specific science and still not know all there is to know about their subject of study......seems like it should be enjoyed forever!

Posted on: 8 December 2012 | 10:22 pm

Stink Bug Infestation

Now that the weather is turning colder,  there's something to look out for.....the STINK BUG!! Brown Marmorated Stink Bug - Jeff Wildonger/USDA Beneficial Insect Research Lab Why has this become a concern? Researchers say it's not because of any health risks these insects may cause, but their damage to large crops, plus the nasty smell they leave behind!! What's happening is people from infested areas, may unknowingly bring these bugs with them when they come to Texas to winter from North-eastern and North-western states . The stink bug we're talking about is the brown marmorated stink-bug. So if you're living in Texas and you've traveled to an area and brought some of these critters back with you, the Texas AgriLife Extension Office is asking you to contact them. Here's the type of insect you're looking for according to KXAN.com: A medium sized insect about a half inch to three-quarters of an inch in size. They’re shield shaped and brown with black mottling on their backs. They also sport white and black triangles around the outer edge of their bodies. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA)recommends the following home prevention tips: • Seal and caulk cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys and underneath the wood fascia and other openings.  • Repair or replace damaged screens on windows or doors.  • Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum as stink bugs are attracted to lights.  • If stink bugs have already entered a home, use a vacuum cleaner for their removal and dispose of the bag immediately to prevent odor from permeating the area.  • If an infestation develops, a licensed pest professional should be contacted to evaluate and assess the severity problem. Let me know if you've seen any of these creatures....

Posted on: 8 December 2012 | 4:41 pm

One of the things that makes life so enjoyable is the variety of things we have to choose from. Vacation out of state, out of country or at home? Mac or PC? Eat in or take out? Once these choices are made, then you can enjoy the decision you made! Assortment of Cupcakes, Thx Earl53, Morgue file! The truth is that some people have a greater variety of things to choose from than others. For instance, when visiting another country, you may find that your love for coffee can't be quenched. When's the last time you traveled to a desert island and saw Starbucks? So when presented with choices, think it through and make the best possible decision that will leave you happy in the end.  You may be wondering, what does this have to do with insects? Well, insects are found in ALL parts of the world, so you can learn about them no matter where you live.  Choose a insect your curious about or one that you've always wanted to know more about. Build a reservoir of information about your subject. Remember some people have dedicated their lives to research and 50 years later say there's still more to learn.  Ask yourself these questions: What kind of insect am I looking at? Does it have wings and fly or feet and crawl? Does it morph? Where does it live? On the ground or in a tree, bush or flower? Is it seen at night or during the day? What's its food of choice? What is the insect known for doing? What connection is there between the insect & human life? One thing that you can do to keep track of your information is to log your information in a journal. Remember to log the date & time, so that you'll have a reference point as your building your information. So what are you waiting for - go get started....and let me know what you've discovered!

Posted on: 28 November 2012 | 4:24 pm

Bed Bugs

Have you heard all the hoop-la about bed-bugs lately? I have and before you turn off those lights, there's some things you need to know before the bed bugs bite! What are bed bugs? How do you get rid of them? What should you do if you have them? What is a bed bug? Bed bugs are insects related to aphids and cicadas, but don't have wings and they don't jump but they are really good walkers. They're about the size of an apple seed when fully gorged, but some bed bugs can be as small as a poppy seed. Picture of bed bug! Thanks deadbedbugs.com & Yahoo Images How do you get rid of them? Early detection is essential in managing them. So get yourself an LED lighted magnifying glass and start looking in places they love to hide. Check out places that are 10-20 feet of beds and seating areas, bed bugs like to house near their food source -which is you! Look for small dots of blood, or small black dots that look like a sharpee marker - this is the fecal matter of bed bugs. Check the pillow cases inside and out, mattress seams and bed linens. Bed bugs also love wood, so make sure you check the bed frame, too. Travel tips: Keep suitcase off the floor & the bed to reduce the chances of taking bed bugs home with you. Bed bugs on mattress! Thanks grandmashomeremedies.com & Yahoo Images What should I do if I have Bed Bugs? At first you may feel anxious and ashamed, but don't let that hold you back from getting the help that you need! Although it may be hard to get rid of bed bugs it's not impossible. Call a licensed pest controller to help you. They have proven methods to treat bed bugs. Remember it requires cooperation from the pest controller, you and your land lord in order to treat bed bugs effectively. Thanks Howtogetridofbed-bugs.com & Yahoo Images! Important Bed Bug Facts" Bed bugs often make their attacks while its victims are asleep. Why can't we feel their bite? Because they inject anesthesia into the area that they will feast on. Bed bugs don't spread disease like mosquitoes and some other insects, but you do get welts and can  suffer a little emotional trauma...let's face it, it would be embarrassing to admit if our home had an infestation. Up next more about insects.

Posted on: 21 November 2012 | 8:55 pm

Katydid and the help it provides in the 21st Century

Scientists have discovered a new hearing organ on Katydids, that has the potential to propel advancement in bio-inspired acoustic sensors research, which includes medical imaging and hearing aid development. Katydid resting on hard surface. Thanks mzephotos! & Yahoo Images Researchers at the University of Bristol and University of Lincoln discovered this missing part as they were studying the process of energy transformation in Katydids. Katydids have 4 eardrums, two on each leg, but up to this point scientists weren't sure how the organs work together to provide sound.  Fernanco Montealgre-Z at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom and his colleagues were researching the taut membrane on the katydid that works like an eardrum located on the foreleg of Copiphora gorgonensis, a species of Katydid living in a South American rain-forest when they noticed tiny vibrations in the rigid cuticle behind the membrane.  As the team dissected the leg behind this membrane, they burst a vessel filled with high pressure fluid.  After analyzing the fluid and determined that it was not part of the circulatory system, they saw that it was part of a cochlea-like hearing structure of the katydid. This is the smallest known ear of its kind and plays a similar role in insects as it does in humans - which is to  analyze high and low frequencies in sound.  The research team have found similar structures in four related katydid species since then. It's thought that one of these species can detect frequencies up to 190 kilohertz. Let's compare that to humans who can hear up to 2kHz and dogs up to about 60 kHz. Montealegre-Z says the katydid is "the most ultrasonic animal on the planet." Map of Columbia, Thanks medicsco.uk.com - Yahoo images Dr. Montealegre-Z is planning to study katydids in their natural environment in Columbia's Natural National Park Gorgona with fellow colleagues. Funded by a National Geographic grant, special electrodes will be connected to the katydids sensory system which will allow scientists to hear the same sounds as the insects.  Dr. James Windmill said of Dr. Montealegre's findings " they will contribute to the next generation of ultrasonic engineering technologies. With the improvement of understanding of insect hearing and sensory systems, new ideas and techniques can be incorporated into a wide range of technologies such as hearing aids, biomedical imaging systems for hospitals, and ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation to assess the structural integrity of buildings and bridges." Tell me what you think of this important discovery! Thanks to the following resources: http://phys.org/news/2012-11-super-sensory-newly-bushcrickets-ears-technologies.html

Posted on: 16 November 2012 | 1:57 pm

Insects Adapt to Noisy World Around Them

What's all the noise about? Grasshoppers have changed their tune to the growing noisy man-made environment around them. Scientists have discovered that bow-winged grasshoppers living in certain European areas with greater noise pollution have increased the volume of their summer courtship serenades. Can you hear me now....? Heavy Traffic - thanks ccrexpo Yahoo Images! Although this type of research has been done on birds and other animals, this is the first of its kind to be done on insects. European scientists took some bow-winged grasshoppers from areas of increased noise pollution and found that the grasshoppers increased the lower frequency parts of their songs to accommodate for the low rumble in the sounds of passing cars. Dr. Lampe and her colleagues had this to say about the study: “Since males produce broadband signals with a maximum in the ultrasound region (above 30 kHz) and a smaller, but significant peak in the region between 6 and 10 kHz, we thought about the possibility that this lower part of the frequency spectrum might be degraded or masked by anthropogenic noise, such as traffic noise,” she explained. Researchers took 188 male grasshoppers from quiet and noisy areas and recorded their response to the call of a female grasshopper. The result is that the grasshoppers from noisier areas produced different songs than those living in more grassland areas. Here's what Ulrike Lampe who led the study concluded: Bow-winged grasshopper on green leaf - Thx wunderground.com, Yahoo Images "Increased noise levels could affect grasshopper courtship in several ways. It could prevent females from hearing male courtship songs properly, prevent females from recognizing males of their own species, or impair females’ ability to estimate how attractive a male is from his song." Dr. Lampe concluded: “We don't know this, yet. We want to find out more about female preferences for spectral parameters of the songs and whether traffic noise affects these preferences in some way.”  What do you think...does this have any affect us in way? What are your thoughts? Thanks to the following resources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/20310262 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2232625/Changing-tune-grasshopper-Insects-altered-distinctive-song-cope-traffic-noise.html

Posted on: 14 November 2012 | 10:56 am

Ants and Traffic Flow

Did you read the current article in Gizmag? Well for those of you who haven't, I'll summarize for you. With so much traffic on the road, scientists are looking for ways to lessen the flow of traffic and speed things up so to speak. In an effort to help scientists, insects have become their go-to source. Ants crawling on rocky ground. - Thanks Cohdra, Morgue File Inspired by ants, bees and termites - scientists have found that when a smaller group of ants meet up with a larger group of ants (same principle applies to bees and termites) the two groups won't crash into each other. Instinctively the larger group takes the right of way, followed by the smaller group of ants. Aha - now you get the picture! So did Ozan Tonguz of Carnegie Mellon University. Since 2009 he's been developing a Virtual Traffic Light system, based on the instinctive wisdom of our fellow insects. Here's how it would work:  As vehicles approach an allocated intersection, a vehicle to vehicle wireless network would be used to communicate with each other. A patented algorithm would determine the number and direction vehicles are heading, and determine which group of vehicles headed in the same direction was the largest. Vehicles in the larger group would get a green light that appears on their dash, indicating for them to proceed, while the smaller group would get the red light. Then then next larger group would flow and so on. Here's the clincher, Tonguz has reported that in simulations travel times can be reduced as much as  40-60% in rush hour. In the next couple of years, Tonguz plans to develop algorithms that will account for pedestrians and cyclists, along with testing this technology on the actual roads. Morning Traffic! Thanks Jusben, Morgue File! So far the technology has received $2,000,000 in funding and a spin off company has been established to develop this technology. So tell me what you think? Do you think this technology will work? I would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks to: http://www.gizmag.com/virtual-traffic-lights/24917/

Posted on: 12 November 2012 | 5:23 pm

Butterfly catches a ride on Southwest Airlines

For all the Monarch butterfly enthusiasts out there in the world...this blog is for you! Most of you know that during this late time of year, Monarchs are getting ready to make their yearly pilgrimage to Michoacan, Mexico - at least for the Monarchs living on the eastern side of the U.S. One Monarch, got a late start and needed help to get to Texas before it made the long journey to Mexico. Monarch Chrysalis Thanks Yahoo Images - www.sciencephoto.com Nature lover, Maraleen Manos-Jones, of Shokan, New York, saw a Monarch forming it's chrysalis late September. Most monarchs had begun their journey to Texas by then, so with cold weather setting in, Maraleen brought in the chrysalis and watched the beautiful Monarch emerge with no harm done to itself. If the butterfly would have been released at this time, it would have never made the flight to Texas, the temperatures were too low. The temps were already in the 40's in New York and the Monarchs need temperatures of 55 degrees and higher to fly. In addition, nectar bearing plants are needed for fuel and these are hard to come by with near close to freezing temperatures. What could be done to help this Monarch? Extraordinary human kindness was shown to Maraleen and her fellow Monarch passenger by Southwest airlines. Yes, that's right. Maraleen called Southwest and explained the Monarchs situation.  The result is that Southwest comped a ticket for them both to fly to Texas. The flight was over 1900 miles and Southwest assigned an on-flight escort to record the journey. She had all the legalities taken care of ahead of time, so that she could cross state lines with the Monarch. We look forward to hearing more about this trip and how it all worked out. Here's some history about Maraleen - she has raised Monarchs for over 40 years, and has been involved with Monarch conservation for decades. She teaches, lectures and travels around the country helping people to appreciate butterflies. She's currently serving on the Board of Directors of La Cruz Habitat Protection Project. Monarch soon to emerge from cocoon Thanks Insidestory.blogspot Heard any interesting insect stories lately? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks to the following for helping me with this blog: http://spiritofbutterflies.com/the-book/book-purchase/ http://www.texasbutterflyranch.com

Posted on: 5 November 2012 | 5:30 pm

New Insect Species Discovered

Stop the presses! Have you heard the news.....a new species of lacewings have been discovered in Malaysia! Lacewing perched on green leaf - thanks Maxinevoyance.com Credit to Hock Ping Guek of Malaysia, who posted this picture on Flickr. Mr. Guek inquired about the insect and a random researcher sifting through Flickr's pictures, led to this amazing discovery, the researcher is taxonomist Shaun Winterton. Writing on his blog, Up Close With Nature, Guek explains: "I first saw and photographed this species in the wild in its natural habitat on May 10, 2011. A few lacewing experts informed me that this could be a new species. Luckily, I came across this beautiful species again on Jan 27, 2012. Specimen was captured and sent to Mr. Winterton." The insect been named Semachrysa jade, after Winterton's daughter, and the story of its discovery has been published in the journal ZooKeys. This is considered a joint discovery by the two and you can only imagine the excitement the two had in making this known! We've talked about this before on the blog. Be curious about life, ask questions, and don't settle if someone tells you that they don't know the answer, keep searching. I'm not saying that all of us will make an important discovery in life, like a new insect species, but we sure will understand more about the way life works....like the design and connection between all living things on this planet. Young boy looking at life through magnifying glass - thanks manhattaninfidel.com When's the last time you took time to observe the creation around you? What fascinating things did you see? What did you learn from your observations? I would love to hear your thoughts....

Posted on: 2 November 2012 | 12:11 pm

The Flight of the Butterfly

Let's take a side trip real quickly, then we'll go back to insects of Africa. We're getting into colder weather in the Northern Hemisphere. So look for a Museum that you can go visit, it'll keep you warm and your curiousity for insects alive. We went today to the city's museum of Natural History and saw a phenomenal show called the The Flight of the Butterfly in 3D at the IMAX theatre. Monarch sipping nectar from flower - Thanks earl53, Morgue file! It takes you on a journey of late scientist Fred Urquhart's life. As a young child he had an intense interest in the migration of butterflies. As a scientist in his adult life he and his wife enlisted the help of the public to tag Monarch butterflies so that their flight pattern could be figured out. After decades of work, pay dirt was hit when it was discovered that the Monarchs flight pattern took them to Mexico to migrate for the winter. The amazing part was seeing so many Monarchs decorating the trees and forest floor, and hearing so many Monarch wings flapping at one time,  it sounded like rain falling. It was truly PHENOMENAL! When you go see this movie, you'll have so much more respect for Monarchs. They have a built in GPS system that takes them from Canada to Mexico. Once the butterflies have wintered in Mexico, they mate, then take the trip back to the states. Texas is where the females lay their eggs on milkweed plants and after another generation makes it back to Canada, the third generation of Monarchs are ready to take the long flight back to Mexico again. It was interesting to note, that Fred and his wife spent basically their entire life studying Monarchs and came to the conclusion that there was still more to learn. Seeing that others have taken the initiative to study and devote their lives to find out so much about them, is moving. Wouldn't it be nice if they could have forever? What else would they discover about Monarchs? Thanks Rauly2kl   I hope that if this show plays in an area that you're in....you won't miss it! It's definitely worth it!

Posted on: 26 October 2012 | 10:28 pm

Insects of Kenya

Color is abundant among insects, and there's no lack of it when we're talking about Trithemis Arteriosa or the Redvein Dropwinged dragonfly.  Thanks takekha - Morgue Images Who wouldn't want to be decked out in formal attire as attractive as this? This is one of Africa's most common dragonflies and is so named because of the red veins running across its wings. Why is it called drop wing? Well look at the wings, they're pointed downward, which happens when these dragonflies are at rest. Here's an interesting point: Females and immature dropwings have a yellowish abdomen and a pale streak running down the wings. So the males are a bit more handsome than its female counterparts. You would think that with such beauty, these dragonflies might be endangered, but they're not, they're plentiful and breathtaking to watch. They can also be seen in other parts of the earth such as Europe and the Middle East. Like other dragonflies, they too lay their eggs in swampy marshes, slow moving rivers, reedy pools and streams. The nymphs go through several aquatic stages before they emerge from the water and moult into an adult dragonfly. Also, the quality of water can be determined by the activity or non-activity of these dragonflies. (Please see my previous blog about dragonflies) Check out this Youtube video for some magnificent pictures and diversity of our dragonfly population throughout the globe. Thanks thecakes41    What's the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly? Would love to hear your thoughts! Up next.....more insects of Africa. Thanks, http://www.arkive.org/red-veined-dropwing/trithemis-arteriosa/#ref2

Posted on: 24 October 2012 | 4:23 pm

Sri Lankan Insects

One thing that Sri Lanka is famed for are its rainforest's. The Lowland Wet Evergreen Forests transforms into Mid-elevation Evergreen Forests and then to Montane Evergreen Forests. These forests are home to indigenous plants and butterflies with many animal species of fish, frogs and lizards that are still being discovered. Indian Awl King Butterfly - Thanks www.pbase.com    Plant life: Jewel orchids can be found deep in undisturbed areas of the lowland parts of the rainforest's. There's so much diversity in these forests, it would take more than a few lifetimes to explore them all. Insect life:  Butterflies, beetles, moths, walking sticks are all found there. The giant honeybee is responsible for much of the pollination that occurs within the rainforest's. They build their nests in or close to the rainforest's, and their said to do this annually at the end of the rainy season or beginning of the dry season when nectar bearing flowers begin to bloom. Sri Lanka is noted for having 50-60 species of bees, not including the species of honeybees and 118 species of dragonflies of which 43 are indigenous to Sri Lanka. Recently, researcher Nancy van der Poorten , discovered a new variety of dragonfly, found at the western edge of Sinharaja rain forest. Thanks Outboundholidays.com -Admin Here's something interesting to note: Scientists just recently found a colony of mites living inside a working cell phone. They are related to the scabies mite. These mites enjoyed the warm comfort the cell phone provided. They urged anyone who saw these mites in their phone to take it to Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka!  These forests are important to those living outside of their reach as well as the locals who are sustained by what the rainforest's provide for them; food, clothing, shelter as well as their means to make a living. Caution is still exercised because of industrialization and there are groups out there trying to protect these rainforests. Although nothing's 100% reliable right now, if you have an opportunity to visit this island continent, you won't be disappointed!   Thanks Youtube - National Geographic, Worlds Best Island   It's exciting to travel to various parts of the world. Up next....Africa! Thanks to the following sources: http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/04/15/fea07.asp http://www.sundaytimes.lk/121014/news/sri-lanka-could-be-in-path-of-worlds-longest-insect-migration-16409.html http://techhamlet.com/2012/05/scientists-have-found-dangerous-insects-living-inside-mobile-phones/

Posted on: 22 October 2012 | 4:32 pm