Mushi No Zu

Drawings from a Japanese scroll, MUSHI NO ZU (Illustrations of Microscopic Insects), published in 1860. From the top: Silverfish(Thysanura), Mosquito(Diptera), Flea(Siphonaptera), Louse(Phthiraptera).



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BBC Home Making: Termites

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Entomologia

A group show in New York last spring, featuring artists who use insects in their work.

Here is a link to the show's site: Entomologia


They have some info on all 14 artists and some really nice images of the show.

-Kelsey

TROPHALLAXIS

TROPHALLAXIS: THE MUTUAL EXCHANGE OF REGURGITATED LIQUIDS BETWEEN ADULT SOCIAL INSECTS OR BETWEEN THEM AND THEIR LARVAE




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WASHBOARDING

WHY?

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SCHWANZELTANZEN

SCHWANZELTANZEN
THE WAGGLE DANCE





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Master of the Killer Ants

If you've ever found yourself watching Nova on PBS, then perhaps you've seen this episode about the Mofu people in Cameroon who get help from army ants to protect their homes and crops from termites.

Watch the full episode. See more NOVA.

Slave-making ants target the strong not the weak

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9160000/9160744.stm

I thought this would be appropriate. Have some fun.

Rob.

The weight of butterflies=heavy

more hymenopteras

very interesting article shown to me by momo the great.

ARTICLE

does anyone remember this movie?

antz = woody allen as an ant in new york

love, jeff pak

into the Field (literally)

This week's class found us among at the Field Museum in the company of its the 14 million or so insect specimens and its abundant exhibits.

We visit the current The Romance of Ants exhibit about the life and work of the assistant curator there, Dr. Corrie Moreau. Luckily Alexandra Westrich who illustrated the graphic novel that is the centerpiece of the exhibit was also there to show us around.

After that as well as a tour of some of the more charismatic insects in the collection (yes, there are walking stick insects as long as your arm) lead us to then see some of the creatures at work - to the bird collection where dermestid (flesh eating) beetles were busy cleaning a variety of different skeletons, including a primate skull (!)

As you can see from the photos, it these tiny beetles live in a odorous environment to say the least...

Corrie then  talked about the work her and others do in the Pritzker Molecular Biology labs, including sequencing the DNA of the ants from far and wide: Madagascar, Australia, and perhaps most exotic of all - Florida.

It was an excellent visit. We didn't get to see all 14 million specimens, but we made a dent with a least a few hundred - no doubt the best ones.

AY

 

Mutualism on 30 Rock

There was a good line on 30 Rock last night about Liz Lemon's relationship with her boss, Jack Donaghy. A great example of mutualism!


(18:21)

It's a symbiotic relationship. I'm a mighty great white shark, Lemon, and you are a remora, clinging to me with your suction cup head. I give you a free ride and in exchange you, uh... eat my parasites.