Nature Noon – Page 16

Can Insects Get High?

This is whether insects can get high. Yes, insects can get high, but it depends upon the drug. So if you want to learn on which drugs insects get high, then you’re in the right place. Let’s get right into it! Insects and Drugs Imagine yourself sitting near a table, holding a glass containing an alcoholic beverage, remembering someone fondly that you have not seen for a long time. Then, suddenly a thirsty mosquito comes to your glass, drinks a little, and starts singing and dancing like Shakira. Or, a common housefly keeps irritating your face over and over while you are trying to concentrate on your work. It seems to be a bit drunk. Is It Even Possible For Insects To Get High? To answer this question, we must know a bit about the drugs, how they work, and the nature of an insect’s nervous system. Let’s jump right in: Nervous System of Insects Just like humans, insects have a nervous system consisting of neurons, which are the cells that make our nervous system. The insect body is made up of three parts: Head Thorax Abdomen Their nervous system innervates all three parts. The nervous system of insects is a simpler one consisting of a: Brain Sub-esophageal ganglion (ganglion is a collection of neuron cell bodies) Ventral nerve cord Brain Insects have a simple brain consisting of three parts arranged in a row. Each part is made up of two ganglia (pleural of ganglion) fused. Three parts of an insect’s brain are: Protocerebrum: related to vision. Deuterocerebrum: for processing information coming from antennae. Tritocerebrum: Innervates the upper lip of the insect. Sub-Esophageal Ganglion Located below the brain, this complex of fused ganglia is associated with the insect’s: Mouthparts Salivary glands Neck muscles Ventral Nerve Cord The ventral nerve cord extends below the brain and sub-esophageal ganglion to the abdomen and has homology to our spinal cord. There are many small ganglia in this cord in the thoracic and abdominal regions. These ganglia control different structures in these regions, such as spiracles. Spiracles are the respiratory openings of insects in the thoracic and abdominal regions. That was too technical. Wasn’t? Stay with me, though, because we have a bit more of this complex but interesting story. Now that we know the basics, let’s get to the fun part: Do Drugs Have an Impact on the Simple Nervous System of Insects? How each drug affects the nervous system of insects depends upon the interaction of the chemical(s) with the body. Here are some of the important drugs we use to get high and their effect on different insects: Marijuana Cannabis Cannabinoids are the active chemical ingredients in cannabis. Cannabis performs its action by stimulating cannabinoid receptors, also called CB (CB1 and CB2) receptors, in different brain areas. The altered activity of these receptors produces different psychotropic effects such as: Euphoria Increased sensation and awareness Altered conscious activity Although the cannabinoid receptors are present in invertebrates of lower phyla such as Hydra, they are absent in insects. So insects can’t get high on marijuana cannabis. There’s a story about a boy who was watching a moth while smoking a joint and the moth hanging on its legs due to the effect of cannabis smoke. That’s not so convincing. The effect on moth may have been caused by carbon monoxide or dioxide or decreased oxygen. But, on the other hand, the viewer was high on drugs too. Amphetamines Amphetamine is a well-known nerve stimulant in humans. Its effect on different insects has been studied, and the following points are worth noting: Significantly increased the locomotor activity of cockroaches and produced a state of hyperexcitability when given at a dose of less than 0.42mg/cockroach. Increased the frequency of web building and miss-shaped webs by spiders. Increased activity and explorative behavior in crayfish (a crustacean). No proven affect on the nerve activity of ants. Cocaine and amphetamine increased the rate of fly development. In light of the evidence above, insects can get high with amphetamine. MDMA or Ecstasy God only knows if insects go dancing clubs, too. What would that be like? Music is playing, lights are flickering, and insects are having a party: Ants are dancing. A group of wasps is smoking weed on one side of the table. The cockroach is the DJ. Small moths are waiters serving the drinks, and everyone is high. Ecstasy produces its effect by increasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter normally produced in the human nervous system and is associated with well-being and happiness. MDMA has not been tested much on insects, but serotonin receptors are present in insects; therefore, the MDMA will, hypothetically, create a state of happy activeness in insects. Cocaine This strong nerve stimulant produces euphoria and well-being in humans, but it may prove toxic to insects. According to one study, the coca plant has fewer pests because cocaine is a strong stimulant of octopaminergic neurotransmitters and enhances their activity. Also, cocaine has a detrimental effect on the life cycle of some insects by speeding up or slowing down the developmental process. In an interesting study, cockroaches were tested for their ability to detect cocaine and other narcotics, and initial trials were successful. So, insects are affected by cocaine but don’t get high on it. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) LSD also acts on serotonin receptors. These receptors are abundant in insects. In a study, LSD facilitated the learning behavior of cockroaches. But at higher doses, it proved toxic for insects. Bugs kept on LSD also showed abnormal behavior. LSD also affects the web building efficacy of spiders. Another study shows that LSD decreases the foraging and food-sharing activity of ants. Ethanol (Alcohol) Many humans acting as clowns after drinking ethanol, and drunken insects behave a lot like humans. There is no doubt that insects are attracted to alcohol. Mosquitoes visit and bite drunken people more than sober ones. In one study, flies got addicted to alcohol. This may be due to the sweet smell of ethanol. Even so, flies kept coming back and intoxicated themselves to the higher level after a …

Animals

How Does Wasp Spray Work?

This is about how wasp spray works. Best NOT use any wasp spray in the sense of live and let live. However, if you’re just curious about how wasp spray works, let’s talk. Let’s get right into it! Just Leave Insects Alone Whenever Possible Can insects kill humans? Unfortunately, sometimes they can. Maybe scorpions came first to your mind? How about spiders? Or maybe fire ants? Although mosquitoes kill millions of people each year by spreading deadly diseases, they are not venomous. In terms of diversity and number, insects are the largest group in the animal kingdom. It is estimated that there are one million ants per one human: 1,000,000:1. Insects can range from the most beneficial, such as bees and silkworms, to the deadliest ones, such as: Brown Recluse Brazilian Wandering Spider Australian Funnel Back Can a Wasp Kill a Human? Wasps are not without purpose. They are both predators and pollinators. For example, fig wasps and other wasps are used as a biological method to control aphids. (An aphid is a tiny pear-shaped insect that destroys green fruit and leaves). Many wasps act as parasitoids to other insects. For example, paper wasps lay eggs in nests of other species. Their larvae take food and shelter away from the young of those species. And, depending upon the type of wasp and the allergic sensitivity of the person, their sting can kill you. For example, in 2013, hornets killed 41 people and injured 1600 in a single attack in China. Wasps and hornets belong to the family Vespidae of the suborder Apocrita of the order Hymenoptera of insects, including ants and bees. Some wasps and hornets are eusocial (live together by making nests), while most are solitary (a single small nest is made by the female only). The eusocial species make nests with multiple combs except for Apoica flavissima, famous for single comb nests. Some wasps make their nests with mud (i.e., the mud dauber). There are over one hundred thousand species of wasps, and they range in size from the Asian giant hornet (5 cm) and tarantula hawk (5 cm) to the smallest chalcid wasp, which is only 0.14 mm in length. Most of them are parasitoids (living at the expense of others), while some are predators (paralyze and kill their prey) and fluid feeders. Wasp can be beneficial if their numbers are few. They keep a check on other insects if the natural biological mechanisms work. But, if their number rise too much, they are considered pests and should be controlled. They usually come out in larger numbers at the end of summer searching for food, and may sting if disturbed. A wasp sting usually won’t hurt you, but can be painful and may cause in very rare cases an anaphylactic shock, which is death due to allergic hypersensitivity. Just leave wasps alone if possible. How Does Wasp Spray Work? It depends upon its composition. Generally, a wasp spray contains: Insecticides Additive agents Foaming agents A base to make a homogenous emulsion Insecticides The main acting agent is the insecticide chemical used in the spray. How your particular spray works depends upon which insecticide is used. The insecticide might be: Contact insecticide or systemic insecticide Repellent or non-repellant It may be toxic to other species or not Any product you buy from the store or make at home may contain one or more of the following agents. The mode of killing action of every group is explained below: Organophosphates In the past, these naturally occurring and synthetic compounds were extensively used in wasp sprays and pesticides. They still make up to 50% of the killing agents in pesticides today. They are potent nerve agents and lethally increase the nervous and muscular activity of the insect. For that purpose, they irreversibly block an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase responsible for the controlled transmission of messages from one neuron to the next at the junction between the two. This enzyme is also present in humans and other animals. Thus, these drugs pose a toxic threat to humans as well. Examples of organophosphates are: Chlorpyrifos Malathion Parathion Carbamates These insecticides work by blocking the same enzymes, but unlike organophosphates, bind reversibly. Examples of carbamates are: Carbofuran Carbaryl Fenobucarb Pyrethroids The most commonly used insecticide agents in modern wasp sprays are pyrethroids. To understand how they work, you need to know a bit about nerve physiology. There are channels in the membranes of neurons called voltage-gated sodium channels, which are responsible for the movement of sodium into the neuron (influx) so that the nerve impulse (the message from the brain to the muscles and other parts of the body) can be conducted. Pyrethroids are very potent excitotoxic agents and act by keeping the voltage-gated sodium channels open. This keeps all the neurons in an excited state, and the whole body of the insect becomes paralyzed, leading to death. Pyrethroids are effective against all insects. But there is a problem: Pyrethroids can be degraded by a particular enzyme present in some insects, thus lowering the efficacy of these chemicals. To prevent this, another agent called piperonyl butoxide is added in wasp sprays containing pyrethroids which block that enzyme. Fortunately, pyrethroids are not toxic to humans. But they can be toxic to aquatic animals like fish. Examples of Pyrithroids include: Allethrins: First synthetic pyrethroid insecticides. Cypermethrin: Used extensively in agriculture fields and livestock to destroy ectoparasites. Permethrin: Widely used but is toxic to bees as well. Phenothrin: Active ingredient of Raid wasp spray. Prallethrin: Main insecticides in many wasp sprays such as Wasp Freeze. Tetramethrin: A white crystalline powder. Tralomethrin: A bromine derivative of pyrethroids. Additive Agents Piperonyl butoxide: The most commonly used additive along with pyrethroids in wasp sprays is piperonyl butoxide that destroys the insect’s built-in mechanism for detoxification. It enhances the efficacy of wasp sprays in terms of duration and intensity of action. Plant oils as insect repellents: Plant oils such as peppermint oil, clove oil, sesame oil, and wintergreen oil can also be added to wasp spray or your homemade insect repellents. Foaming agents: Certain foaming agents are added to some wasps sprays …

Animals

11 Animals Without a Tail

Here are 11 animals without tails: Humans Gorillas (and other great and lesser apes) Notail sheep Stumpy-tailed heeler (australian stumpy tail cattle dog) Manx cat Quinea pig Frog Fruit bat or flying fox Capybara Tiliqua rugosa Manx rat If you want to learn all about 11 animals without tails, the function of tails, and more, then you are in the right place. Let’s get started! What Are Animals Without Tail and What Is the Function of a Tail? First, just close your eyes and try to think of at least five animals without tails. How many animals came to mind? You probably missed the most important animal without a tail: human beings. Have you ever noticed a tiny, bony appendage at the end of your backbone and wonder what it is for? Yes, a vestigial (non-functional) remnant of our tail is made by fusing the coccygeal vertebrae (spinal bones). Having a tail is an advantage. It performs essential functions for lots of animals. On the other hand, some animals don’t need a tail. This is the beauty of nature—diversity. Now we will take a look at tailless vertebrate animals. Most of invertebrate animals, such as insects, spiders, and worms (which make up a major portion of the kingdom Animalia), don’t have a tail. Let’s talk about tails and the benefits of having or not having a tail. Why Do Animals Have Tails? By definition, a tail is a thin, flexible appendage (any extension beyond the body’s central axis) that extends beyond the rear end of certain animals. In mammals, reptiles, and birds, the tail is an extension of the vertebral column (the backbone) that extends behind the animal’s rear end. The vertebral column is made up of small bones called vertebrae, divided into different types depending upon the region in which they are present: Cervical: Neck region. Thoracic: Chest region. Lumber: Abdominal region. Sacrum: Pelvic region. Coccygeal: Also called the caudal vertebrae, which are the vertebrae that would be present if there was a tail. Some invertebrates also have projections that look like tails, such as scorpions. Yet, why do animals actually have tails? Tails are very important structures that are involved in a lot of functions. For example: Movement and Locomotion: As in some fish and amphibian larvae, crocodiles, otters, whales, and other sea mammals. Balance: As in squirrels, the tail provides balance while climbing. In birds, the tail vertebrae are fused to provide the attachment location for tail feathers which provide balance during flight. Defense and warning device against enemies: As in beavers and rattlesnakes. Fat storage: As in geckos and crocodiles. Prehension: As in spider monkeys. Communication and signaling: In dogs and cats, the tail is an important means for signaling and expressing different behaviors. Even in peacocks, the males display their tails to attract their mates. Attack the enemy: As in scorpions. Pest control: As in cows, horses, and buffaloes waving their tail to swat at flies and other bugs. Territory marking: As in the famous use of tail propulsion employed by Hippos to spread feces. The tails have a very important role in animal foreign policy. All these functions show that tails are one of the most important parts of the body for some animals. Is It Always Beneficial to Have a Tail? There are exceptions. Tails of some dogs have been surgically removed (called tail docking). Do you know why? Because these dogs (mostly hounds) are used in hunting, and their tails can get injured while running through the bush following their prey. Similarly, sometimes cows and buffaloes sit on their tails, cutting off the blood supply. This can lead to infections in the tail which ultimately results in removing the tail in these animals. Tails are also prone to infestation (the term used for parasites and fly infestation). 11 Animals That Don’t Have Tails Here are 11 animals that don’t have tails: #1 Humans Because we can use our upper limbs (arms) for all those functions mentioned earlier. Walking on two legs consumes 25% less energy for movement than four legs, and we don’t have to counterbalance the weight of our head because it is in an upright position. In fact, humans have tails during embryonic development. Some of us are born with tails due to birth defects, an extended spinal column, or fat accumulation. Still, they are vestigial and can be removed surgically. #2 Gorillas (and Other Great and Lesser Apes) These heavy, long-armed, and tailless cousins of humans are also included in the family Hominidae (the great apes). They are believed to have evolved along with humans from a common ancestor. Moreover, all the great apes don’t have a tail, including: Bonobo Chimpanzee Gibbons Orangutan There are 16 species of gibbons (lesser apes) belonging to the family Hylobatidae. Gibbons can use their long hands, feet, and a characteristic ball and socket-like wrist joint to swing through the trees. So in this style of locomotion, a tail would be a disadvantage. Moreover, all the apes have an upright stance, to a lesser or greater extent. Their shoulder blades (scapular bones) are present on the back instead of being on the sides, freeing their upper limbs and lowering the need for a tail. Examples include lar gibbon and siamang. #3 Notail Sheep Sheep usually have a tail, but it is not considered a desirable trait. Sheep tails are usually docked at an early age because a tail hinders wool-shearing. It can also spread feces (in case of diarrhea), and they can get a fly infestation (i.e., maggots) sometimes under the tail. From 1913 to 1940, James W. Wilson developed a Notail bred of sheep through selective breeding. #4 Stumpy-Tailed Heeler (Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog) Have you ever seen a dog without a tail except those which have been docked? These pricked-ear, long-legged dogs are a native breed in Australia and are primarily used as and related to cattle dogs. Stumpy-tailed heeler usually don’t have a tail. If they do, it is less than 10 cm and non-functional. Other bobtailed or tailless dog breeds include: Brazilian terrier Boston terrier Some bulldogs Some spaniel dogs #5 Manx Cat Often used in …

Animals

Worms vs. Insects: Are Worms Insects?

Here’s whether worms are insects: Worms are not insects. Worms belong to the Phylum Platyhelminthes, Phylum Nematoda, and Phylum Annelida. Insects belong to the phylum Arthropoda. Differences between worms and insects are: Jointed Appendages Ability to Withstand Dehydration Exoskeleton/Hydro Skeleton Molting Respiratory System Speed So if you want to learn all about the differences between worms and insects, then this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! What Are Worms and Insects? “Worm” is the term that often comes to mind in various scenarios, including some of the following: While looking at the damaged stems and leaves of garden plants which is due to cutworms. While looking at a scarf made of silk produced by silkworms. When seeing an earthworm while gardening. It might interest you to know that many of these organisms (living things) for whom you use the term “worm” are not worms at all. Let me explain: Cutworms are the larvae of a moth (insect) that are nocturnal (they come out and eat at nighttime). A silkworm is the larva of a moth (insect) named bombyx mori. So, Are Worms Insects? The simplest answer to this question is no. Worms are not insects. In fact, there are some worms that can infect insects; for example, the horsehair worm is a parasite found on grasshoppers and cockroaches. However, both worms and insects animals and belong to the kingdom Animalia. The bottom line is that worms are not insects. Also, not everything referred to as a worm is, indeed, a worm. See below. How are Worms and Insects Different? Before we compare worms and insects, you should understand both groups of animals. So without further ado let’s do this! What Are Worms? Biologically worms belong to three phyla (phylum is the 2nd level in the taxonomic hierarchy after kingdom, which is the 1st level): Phylum Platyhelminthes consisting of flatworms and tapeworms. Phylum Nematoda is also known as Nemathelminths consisting of roundworms. Phylum Annelida also known as segmented worms. Let’s discuss the three types of worms: Flatworms They belong to the class Trematoda also known as flukes; for example, liver fluke (Fasciola Hepatica). They are dorsoventrally compressed (compressed from the upper and lower side to make them flat), which makes them more like a flattened leaf. This is due to the fact they do not have any circulatory system for the transport of oxygen and nutrients, so their flat bodies help their cells acquire these substances from the environment by diffusion. They lack a respiratory system as well but have a diffused type of nervous system (made up of a network of nerve cells with no brain) and a simple digestive system with many branches that allows access to all the cells. Most Flatworms do not have an anus; thus, they regurgitate (or vomit) undigested food through their mouth (single opening). They have a well-developed mechanism for the removal of waste materials consisting of protonephridia which are also known as flame cells (they appear like a flickering flame due to the beating of cilia present in them). They have special structures such as hooks (also called holdfasts) and suckers to keep them strongly attached to their host (most of them are parasitic). Tapeworms Tapeworms belong to the class Cestoda of phylum Platyhelminthes and have a tape or ribbon-like appearance. They consist of a head (scolex), a neck, and a long body made up of segments called proglottids. These worms can have long bodies and are mostly found as parasites living in the intestines of humans and animals; for example, taenia solium and taenia sagenata live in the human intestine. They do not have a mouth but absorb the nutrients directly from their environment. Roundworms Roundworms belong to another phylum called Nematoda and are also known as pointed worms or eelworms (plant parasites). They have thread-like bodies that are pointed at both ends. They have a distinct head, a tail, and two openings in their tube-like digestive tract. They do not have a developed urinary system. Many of them are parasitic; for example, the hookworm causes Helminthiasis in humans, the pinworm causes itching in the anal region, and the canine heartworm lives in the heart and blood vessels of dogs and cats. Segmented Worms Segmented worms belong to the phylum Annelida and are the worms we are most familiar with. Their bodies are divided into segments by septa (walls), and the segmentation may be externally visible in the form of rings or constrictions. These are true coelomates; they have a body cavity between the gut and external body wall. Other groups of worms either have no body cavity (e.g., flatworms) or a false body cavity which is also known as pseudocoelom (e.g., roundworms). Annelids have well-developed digestive, nervous, circulatory, and excretory systems but have no respiratory system. Therefore gaseous exchange occurs directly through the body’s surface. Examples are: Earthworm: Involved in burrowing activity to increase soil fertility. Bristle Worms: Having bristles on their sides in each segment attached to parapodia. Leeches: Involved in blood-sucking for medicinal purposes. Annelids share many similarities with insects and are believed to have the same ancestors. What Are Insects? Insects are the most abundant animals on this planet and belong to the class Insecta of phylum Arthropoda. Arthropods have jointed appendages, and most insects have three distinct bodily regions: Head Thorax Abdomen There are other small creatures that look like insects (e.g., ticks and mites) but are not insects by biological definition. Unlike insects, ticks and mites have two distinct bodily regions because their head and thorax are merged. Also, they have 8 legs instead of 6. Therefore, insects are, by definition, only those Arthropods that have: Jointed appendages. Six legs in three pairs called hexapods. Body divided into head, thorax, and abdomen. A hydrophobic (water-repelling) exoskeleton made up of chitin. Compound eyes and Antennae at the anterior end of the body. Insects range from being edible (used as food) to being disease carriers; some can be harmful and even be poisonous. Examples include: Bed bugs and fleas that cause itching and skin lesions. Mosquitoes that transmit malaria, dengue fever, and congo fever. Butterflies and honey bees acting as pollinators. Moths producing silk. Houseflies (musca domestica) acting as a mechanical vector for germs. Fruit flies as the organism of choice in many biological …