| Mosquitos Don't feed on blood; females obtain blood from humans/animals to nourish eggs. Food from nectar, other plant juices. Most dangerous animal: malarial parasites (genus Plasmodium) carried by mosquitoes responsible for half of human deaths since Stone Age (excluding war, accidents.) Insect populat'n Country sq. mi.--more insects than all humans. Of 1 mil animal species, 800K are insects. Asian Vampire Moth, other moths/butterflies Pierces animal skin wth proboscis, drinks blood. Some moths feed only on cattle/deer eye fluid. Some moths don't eat as adults, short life spans. Most moths/butterflies eat flower nectar/pollen or moist, rotting fruit, sap, animal droppings. Hornworm months Huge grayish brown, wingspans up to 5", wavy line pattern; orange spots on body. Also known as hawk or hummingbird moths, sometimes mistaken for hummingbirds as they hover in front of flowers feeding on nectar at dusk. Not all bees live in hives Most kinds live alone. Honey, bumble--are social. Carpenter, mining, others--build individual nests, often burrowing into wood the ground. Flea facts 1,350 varieties; prefer 80-85 degrees F., humidity 75-85%. Cat flea (on cats/dogs:) vertically flattened body for easy travel between hairs); spring-like hind legs can propel it 7' up or 13' forward. With same capability, a human could jump 250' up or 450' forward. Madagascar nocturnal moth--proboscis theory true Darwin predicted discovery of insect, 12" proboscis; theorized big orchid could only be pollinated by such bug. Others thought theory ridiculous; 20 yrs later, Madagascar nocturnal moth, 5 1/1" wingspan, 12" proboscis discovered. Named Xanthropan morganii praedicta to honor predict'n. Silkworm evolution Silkworm moth Bombyx mori: 'cause cultivated by humans, no longer flies; needs human care to survive. Bombardier beetle Shoots boiling hot, toxic fluid that lets out a bang after detonat'n. |
|
 |
| Webmaster: John Gelhaus Click here: [email protected] |
| This page revised 9-14-05 |
| Facts: animals, insects |