Author: weacol19

Final Documents and SOS Conclusions

 

Insect Morphology

Rearing Protocols

Entomopathegenic Nematode Rearing

Green Lacewing Rearing Flow Chart

These are the final documents and flow charts, feel free to take a look at them, although I’ve already posted most of it here!

Conclusions: I learned a lot about the inner workings of insects, and I think this will be very useful information to build on, especially when studying how individual species vary compared to the norm.  Also, it will help me identify more efficiently.  Overall, I am glad I spent so much time learning that information, and although it was somewhat niche it will be fundamental for me later.

The rearing protocols look good enough to start working on the actual systems, and then begin my rearing next quarter, eventually leading to release.

Chrysoperla carnea

Green lacewings are a sought after beneficial insect.  They are capable predators in their larval stages, with distinct appearance throughout their life cycle.  This post will cover some statistics and information about them, Chryspoperla carnea specifically.

PC: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Chrysoperla_carnea_larva02.jpg
Lacewing Larvae.PC: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Chrysoperla_carnea_larva02.jpg

Life Cycle: Lacewings undergo complete metamorphosis.  They start as eggs, usually pale green to yellow in appearance, and are attached to long stalks.  Their larval state has three instars, and this is when it is effective as a predator.  Adults typically feed on pollen and nectar.  Larvae are flat, grayish brown, andare often compared to alligators.  They will feed on most anything, and do so voraciously, which is why they are so useful.  A larva can consume as many as 250 leafhopper nymphs, 400 aphids, 11,200 spider mites, or 3,780 scale insects.  When the larva is ready, it weaves a silk cocoon, white in appearance, and pupates for up to two weeks.  They then emerge as adults, who are light green and .5-.75 inches long, with elaborately veined wings.
Continue reading Chrysoperla carnea

Small Scale Lacewing Rearing

Link to Publication

This is the most succinct small scale production technique I have found.  It uses easily accessible feeding materials, as well as inexpensive materials to create enclosures.  It could likely use some adaptation to efficiently store the containers, however for my purpose this method should do well. Continue reading Small Scale Lacewing Rearing

Entomophagy: The Case for Why We Should Eat Insects

There are thousands of species of edible insects.  Many places worldwide have insects as part of their diet, and there is significant potential for edible insects to become much more popular in the US.  They lack many of the issues plaguing cattle, creating significantly less greenhouse gas and runoff while simultaneously having much higher feed conversion rates.  Additionally, they have many different flavors, and can be used to cook in a variety of ways.  In this post, I will give a brief history of entomophagy (eating insects), as well as how they may be useful in solving many food security and climate change issues. Continue reading Entomophagy: The Case for Why We Should Eat Insects

Insects, Subjective Experience, and Consciousness

Article Source: What insects can tell us about the origins of consciousness

Humans are quick to compare other animals to themselves when considering consciousness.  Perhaps this is a fair foundation, considering consciousness is quite an abstract, intangible idea.  However, this often has the consequence of considering other animals as lesser.  Most people are unlikely to claim an insect is intelligent, and perhaps I’m making assumptions, but most are likely to label them as lacking thought or consciousness.
In this post, we will explore this idea. To what extent are insects intelligent?
Continue reading Insects, Subjective Experience, and Consciousness