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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.

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