Insects – Nature Noon

Are There Insect Parts in Peanut Butter and Chocolate?

This is about insect parts in peanut butter and chocolate. In short: Peanut butter and chocolate do contain insect parts. So if you want to know all the details about insect parts in peanut butter and chocolate, this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! Insect Fragments in Peanut Butter and Chocolate Yes, insect fragments (head, legs, wings, and eggs) and rodent remnants (fur, poop, and nails) are in both peanut butter and chocolate. Yet, this is the case for all food products! For example, the wheat or rice flour we eat has crushed insect parts and their eggs in it. Similarly, all canned foods obtained from agriculture can have insect parts to some extent. Therefore, the presence of insect fragments to a permitted limit will not harm our health. It is not associated with food-borne illnesses at all. Diana Vreeland, a famous French-American columnist, once said. “Peanut butter is the greatest invention since Christianity.” With a great nutritional profile, an amazing taste, crunchy texture, and an annual production of about 47 million metric tons, peanuts are the most popular nut in the world. Peanuts are consumed in over 100 different ways. The most common ways are: Raw peanuts Peanut butter Peanut oil Mixed into main dishes They are a great source of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, Vitamin B and E, many minerals, and dietary fiber. Are There Insect Parts in Peanut Butter? With an annual production of 6.1 million pounds in 2020 in the United States alone, peanut butter is considered one of the most popular food spreads in the world. It is usually composed of 90% peanuts and 10% other ingredients such as vegetable oil, peanut oil, salts, and sweeteners. However, the peanuts themselves actually have enough oils that you can make peanut butter without adding anything. It is not actual butter but rather roasted peanuts finely ground into a homogenous creamy consistency that spreads like butter. A 3.5 oz (100 g) portion of peanut butter contains 22.5 g of protein, 51 g of fat, and 22 g of carbohydrates, 5 g of which are fiber. Peanut butter was invented in 1890 by George Washington Carver, a Black agricultural scientist. Still, an 1895 patent is held by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. Yes, that Kellogg of breakfast cereal fame. But are there insect parts in peanut butter? To answer the question, let us consider the method of manufacturing peanut butter. Manufacturing of Peanut Butter Peanuts are a type of legume and grow underground, sort of like how potatoes grow. They take about 4 to 5 months to mature. They are harvested usually from August to October, depending upon the climatic condition. Peanuts are then separated from vines and dried. Once fully dried, peanuts are shelled by cracking the casing around the nut. That nut is then inspected for any contamination. After that, the peanuts are heated to 800°F (430°C) and then roasted at 320°F (160°C) for 40 to 60 minutes. The roasted peanuts are cooled rapidly and efficiently to 86°F (30°C) to avoid complete drying so that some moisture and oil remain. Seed coats are then removed by heat blanching or water blanching methods. Then the naked roasted kernels are subjected to fine grinding along with mixing in any emulsifiers, stabilizers, and other additives, as desired. The final product is packed in jars. What Next? After a careful review of the manufacturing method of peanut butter, it is clear that insect parts are not the product’s main ingredient. They might get incorporated accidentally into the product during bulk manufacture. Still, insect parts are not intentionally incorporated into the product. Thank God. But, if it does happen, where might these insect parts come from? Insects That Infest Peanut Plants The most important insects which attack peanut plants in the soil are: Helicoverpa or cotton bollworm Etiella or lucerne seed web moth White grubs Mites Other minor pests of the peanut crop may include: White fringed weevils Mirids Cluster caterpillars Thrips False wireworms The larvae or adults of these pests can be present in the kernels and are easily overlooked during inspection because of their small size. After all, you cannot peek into each seed to take out the hidden pests and their larvae. Even the other unwanted things such as rodent fur, fungus, bacteria, and parasites can be present in the peanuts we eat routinely. Insects That Might Sneak Into a Peanut Butter Manufacturing Facility The manufacturing facility has to process millions of peanuts in a day. Peanuts are grain legumes, and grains are the favorite food of insects. While insect control is used stringently in these facilities, some insects can still get in like: Ants Cockroaches Flies Beetles These are attracted to grains due to the aromatic compounds evaporated during the roasting process. No insect control method can be 100% effective. This is the case with all food industries. Since absolute prevention is not possible, the US Food and Drug Administration does allow a small amount of insect residue in peanut butter. An average of 30 insect fragments is allowed in every 3.5 oz (100 g) of peanut butter by FDA. Similarly, the allowed limit for grit and contamination is 0.0008 oz per 3.5 oz (25 mg per 100 g) of peanut butter. Also, some rodent filth and fur are allowed too. However, keep in mind that the manufacturing of peanut butter is one of the most controlled food processes on the FDA list. Are those insects bits dangerous for our health? No. The insects that were in the peanuts before the roasting process are killed during roasting. They cannot withstand the high heat and become dust during roasting. On the other hand, the insects sneaking in after the heating process are crushed during grinding. The bacteria remaining are killed due to the high concentration of salts and sugars in the peanut butter. If they even survive, their number is too low to cause any disease. Whew! What about chocolates? Does it have insect fragments, too? Are There Insect Parts in …

Animals

6 Legged Insects: Do Insects Have 6 Legs?

Here’s whether insects have 6 legs: By defintion, insects have 3 pairs of legs, so 6 legs in total. However, there are insects that appear to have 2 pairs of legs or 4 legs total and insect-like creatures that appear to have 4 pairs of legs or 8 legs total. If you want to learn all about insect legs, then this article is for you. Keep reading! Do Insects Have 3 Pairs of Legs or 6 Legs in Total? Let’s start with a question: How many legs should an insect have? Should it be 2, 4, 6, or 8, or only one? Or, should they have only two legs? But, that would make them bipedal like humans, primates, birds, and some reptiles. But insects? By definition, insects have 3 pairs of legs, so they have 6 legs in total. There are insects, however, that appear to have 4 legs but in reality have 6 legs as well. Insects are the largest arthropods and animal kingdom group, with an estimated number of species ranging between 6-10 million. They are also the most diversified group of animals thriving in almost every type of habitat, from marine (sea skaters), freshwater (water striders) to red imported fire ants (RIFA) living in deserts and other terrestrial environments. Biological by definition, insects are in the class of Arthropoda (invertebrates that have jointed appendages). Key indicators for arthropods are: Hard exoskeleton made up of chitin Body divided into three segments: Head, thorax, and abdomen Compound eyes 3 or 4 staged life cycle One pair of antennae Do All Insects Have 3 Pairs of Jointed Legs or 6 Legs in Total? Yes, insects always have 6 legs. Some of them may have modified their appendages for other functions and appear to have 4 legs. Still, structurally, these modified organs have the same basic use as most legs. Moreover, there are also anthropods that are called arachnids of the class Arachnida. Arachnids may appear to the layman as insects with 4 pairs of legs or 8 legs. However, you can easily tell an arachnid from an insect based on how many legs they have. Arachnids have 8 legs and as you know by now, insects have 6 legs. 10 Insects With 6 Clearly Visible Legs Here are examples of 6-legged arthropods, aka insects that have 6 clearly visible legs: #1 Butterflies These brightly colored garden decorators have been one of the most beloved insects for centuries. They have a body with: Three segments Large colorful wings—2 sets of wings Club-shaped antennae A coiled proboscis (a long sucking organ) Three pairs of legs attached to three sub-parts of the thoracic segment, with each true leg comprised of five parts Moreover, butterflies have some short prolegs (fleshy abdominal limbs) attached to abdominal segments, but they are not true legs. Other interesting behaviors are: They drink nectar, often from only certain types of plants. While they don’t necessarily mate in the air, sometimes they can be seen flying attached to one another during the mating process. They breed once or twice a year, depending upon the situation and species. Most are particular about the plants they place their eggs on so the larvae can feed on them after they are born. For yellow-clouded butterflies and another member of the genus Euchloe, a developed larva originates from its abdomen when the female dies. The most important representatives of butterflies include: Metalmarks Swallowtails Blues, copper hairstreaks, or gossamer-winged butterflies Monarch butterflies #2 Moths These light-loving cousins of butterflies also have: 2 sets of wings 6 legs 3 segmented body Grouped in the same order Lepidoptera along with butterflies Unlike butterflies, a moth’s antennae are feathery and don’t have a round ball-like structure at the end. A few moths can cause economic damage for farmers and foresters, such as pine moths. Most are active during the night (nocturnal). Some exceptions are hummingbird moths and bella moths. Some important representatives of the moths include: White witches Madagascan sunset moth Hercules moth #3 Flies These diverse flying creatures performing acrobats with great speed and maneuverability belong to the order Diptera. Flies are characterized by a body with three distinct segments: 3 pairs of legs; each with five segments Coxa Trochanter Femur Tibia Tarsus; which is further subdivided into five tarsomeres ending up in a pair of claws 2 pairs of wings—1 for flying; the other for balance are called “halters.” Flies are insects of great importance. They are the largest pollinators after bees. They eat the plant pests such as aphids and moths and are good for general biological control. Some of them, such as Drosophila melanogaster. have been extensively used in DNA and molecular genetics research. Flies are also a concern. Spread food-borne diseases such as cholera, which can be spread by houseflies. Blood parasites and diseases can be transmitted by blowflies, Tsetse flies, and many others. #4 Honey Bees Honey bees are some of the most important insects on this planet, with many useful qualities. They can fly long distances. One of the largest groups of pollinators. They are societal engineers (hives), including a well-organized army that protects their hives. Food experts in making honey, royal jelly, and other hive products. Have mouthparts that are equally efficient for chewing and sucking Even the eggs, larvae, and pupae of the bees are nutritious. They are eaten in Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand, and other countries. Honey bees belong to the genus Apis of the clade bees that contains: Bumblebees Stingless bees Mason bees Carpenter bees Leafcutter bees Bees have 6 legs, one pair attached to each thoracic segment. Besides walking and standing, the front pair of the bee’s legs have a comb to clean the antennae, and the hind pair contains pollen baskets to store the collected pollens. Examples of honey bees are: Koschevnikov’s honey bee Western African Eastern #5 Mosquitoes Being responsible for the deaths of more than 1 million people each year, these tiny blood-sucking enemies of humans are mosquitoes. They belong to the family Culicidae, which …

8 Legs Insects: Are There Any Insects With 8 Legs?

Animals

8 Legged Insects: Do Insects With 8 Legs Exist?

Here’s whether insects with 8 legs exist: There are no insects with 8 legs. By definition, insects have six legs. There are insect-like creatures with 4 pairs of legs and therefore 8 legs in total. Arthropods with eight legs are called arachnids of the class Arachnida. Those aren’t insects. If you want to learn all about insect-like arthropods with 8 legs, then this article is for you. Keep reading! Do Insects With 8 Legs Exist? Have you ever looked at a spider web clinging on a building corner and the 8 legged spider lurking and wondered if an insect could have 8 legs? Well, biologically, that is not possible since insects technically must have 3 pairs of legs, so 6 legs in total. Even so, there are insects that appear to have 2 pairs of legs and, so, 4 legs, but actually have six legs as well. Yet, there are insect-like creatures with 4 pairs of legs and therefore 8 legs in total. Are they not insects, too? Well, no. What are they then? Here’s the answer: These 8 legged arthropods are called arachnids of the class Arachnida. They are not insects. What Are the Characteristics of Arachnids? The arachnids have the following characteristics: They have 8 legs. They don’t have antennae and wings. Their body is divided into two segments: cephalothorax and abdomen. The cephalothorax is made by fusion of the head and thorax. They have a hard exoskeleton made up of chitin. They have additional appendages called chelicerae and pedipalps. A layman might mistake them for an insect, but they are not insects. However, they are arthropods just like insects. 10 Insect-Like Arachnids With 8 Legs Here are 10 examples of arachnids with 8 legs that can be mistaken for insects: #1 Spiders The largest order of class Arachnida is these 8-legged silk pinners, containing over 49,000 species, some of which build webs to ensnare their prey. They are found all around the world except Antarctica. They don’t move their legs by the muscular activity of extensors that exists in other arthropods; rather, they use hydraulic pressure to move legs. This is why if the spider has punctured the cephalothorax, it will be unable to extend its legs. On the other hand, jumping spiders can jump up 50 times their size by suddenly increasing the pressure in their legs. They are active predators (carnivores) except Bagheera kiplingi, a vegetarian jumping spider. They use their legs to mimic catch and hold their prey. Spider’s legs consist of 7 parts: Coxa Trochanter Femur Patella Tibia Metatarsus Tarsus and claws They keep at least four legs on the ground while walking or running. Examples other than jumping spiders include: Ground spiders Sac spiders Crab spider #2 Scorpions These 8-legged arachnids are thought to be dangerous to humans. They are characterized by their legs, large pedipalps on the anterior end, and a long, thin, segmented abdomen with a stinger at the tip. But in fact, only 25 out of 2650 species are capable of killing a man. These include: Black fat-tailed scorpion Brazilian yellow scorpion Deathstalker scorpion They use their legs to walk, run, and dance before mating. Then, they give birth to their young, and the female carries them on its body until a hard exoskeleton develops. Scorpions have poor vision but a strong sense of smell. #3 Ticks These blood-sucking arachnids are very clever. They detect their host by olfactory stimuli and move in to attach to its body. They find an appropriate place, cut through the epidermis of the skin, and drink its blood. They need blood to convert from one stage to the next of their life cycle. Their saliva contains 1500-3000 proteins, some of which prevent the detection by the host for a long period allowing the tick to drink blood for days. They can drink blood 200-600 times of their own body weight and become engorged with blood. They also transmit diseases such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever or Lyme disease in humans and tick fever in animals. Tick is categorized as either Example include hard ticks and soft ticks. #4 Mites These tiny arachnids are multidimensional. They are free-living, decomposers, parasites, and active predators. With a size of less than 1 mm (the width of a dime), they may easily be ignored while present on animals, plants, in water, and on surfaces. Mites have 4 pairs of legs; each leg is made up of 6 segments and is sometimes modified for swimming. Examples include: Clover mites that have a pair of long legs often confused with antennae Eyelash or face mites that affect human skin Sarcoptic mites that cause scabies #5 Harvestmen (Also Called Daddy Longlegs) Harvestmen are a great group of class Arachnida characterized by long legs often confused with spiders, but they are different. As in all arachnids, their body comprises two segments, but segments are fused and appear as a single segment externally. Despite having a pair of eyes in the middle of the cephalothorax, they use the second pair of their long legs like antennae to sense the environment. Examples include: Hadrobunus grandis (long-legged harvestmen) Mite harvestmen (short-legged) Sabacon cavicolens #6 Solifuges With over 1000 known species, this group of arachnids is also called camel spiders or wind scorpions. However, they have nothing to do with spiders or scorpions. They appear to have 10 legs (5 pairs), but only 4 pairs are considered true legs, each consisting of 7 segments. The anterior pair is actually pedipalps and is used as a sensory organ and the first pair of true legs. Confusion was due to leg length. The pedipalps do not rest on the ground while walking or standing. Rather they are kept raised to sense the environment. They also have a sticky structure at the end to capture the prey. The leg length in solifuges varies greatly and often causes confusion. Examples include sun spiders and Gulvia dorsalis. #7 Pseudoscorpion These tiny creatures resemble scorpions but are actually beneficial to humans because they prey upon …

Animals

4 Legged Insects: Do Insects With 4 Legs Exist?

Here’s whether insects with 4 legs exist: According to the biological definition, insects have 3 pairs of legs or 6 legs in total. There are, however, insects and other arthropods that have modified their legs for other purposes, such as predation, burrowing, jumping, and sensing. They appear to have 4 legs, but in reality, they have 6. So if you want to know all about insects with 4 legs, then this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! Are There Any Insects With 4 Legs? To be called an “insect,” a living creature, should have five basic characteristics: The body is divided into three regions: head, thorax, and abdomen. 3 pair of legs and therefore 6 legs in total attached to the thoracic region. I repeat, 6 legs. It has compound eyes. Generally, there is at least one pair of antennae. Optional wings. Some insects have modified their legs for purposes other than those normally associated with a leg. Generally, an insect leg is a jointed appendage that allows it to walk, crawl, or support itself while standing. Yet, as you will see below, some insects have modified their legs to perform other functions, so you may not recognize them as legs at first glance. For example, the mantis uses 2 legs only for hunting and the grasshopper 2 legs only to jump. They appear to have 4 legs. One has to ask whether the alienated legs are still legs in the sense of a leg. But this is another discussion. How Many Legs Have Insects per Definition? Insects have 3 pairs of legs and therefore 6 legs in total. But there are insects and other arthropods which have modified their front or hind legs for other purposes and appear to have 4 legs such as: Predation Holding Burrowing Jumping Sensing This is a great demonstration of adaptation and evolution. A number of insects seem to have eight legs. However, those 8 legged insects are not insects, but appear to be insects to a layman. 9 Insects That Appear to Have 4 Legs Here are some examples of the 4-legged insects: #1 Mantis Mantises are an order of insects that have forelegs modified for hunting, also called raptorial legs. Mantises are ambush predators. They wait for their prey and then catch and hold their prey with the help of these spiked, long, modified legs. In the condition of a direct predatory threat, the mantises raise their raptorial legs along with wings, which can be perceived as a greater threat by their enemy. There are over 2400 species in this order, including: Eight spot mantis European mantis Mantid fly And other members of the family Mantispidae #2 Four-Legged Bug Stenolemoides arizonensis, a type of assassin bug, is also an insect that has modified forelegs. Its front legs are adapted to hold the prey to suck out the insides of its prey. This bug stands and walks on four legs, which qualifies it to be on our list. #3 Brush-Footed Butterflies These special butterflies, also known as four-footed butterflies, belong to the largest family of the Nymphalidae family. They appear with four legs because the front legs are so small that they cannot be detected. These tiny front structures are used for smelling by a butterfly. Examples include the glass wing butterfly and the Buckeye-butterfly. #4 Grasshoppers and Locusts Locusts, along with other types of grasshoppers, are included in the family Acrididae of insects. In this case, the hind legs of the grasshoppers are used for jumping only. They stand and walk only on two front pairs of legs. Moreover, the hind legs differ in anatomy and position as well. That is why the “Holy Bible” claims that the locusts and grasshoppers are four-legged insects. #5 Water Strider Aquarius remiges, also called water striders or water skippers can walk on the surface of the water. Two pairs of hind legs are used to walk and run on the water surface, while the front legs are modified for prey capture. #6 Giant Water Beetle Giant water bugs belong to the family Belostomatidae of insects. They live in water and use only two pairs of hind legs for swimming. The front legs are modified again for capturing and holding their prey. They often leave the water and fly about. They are exclusive predators and eat small fishes, crustaceans, and other insects. #7 Cicadas This great group belongs to the genus Magicicada of insects and contains 7 species. Wrongly included in locusts, these insects are actually bugs. They spend about 99% of their life in an immature state called nymphs. During that nymph stage, they have four functional legs, and the front pair is used for burrowing and piercing into the roots of plants from where they drink the sap. They emerge as winged adults by digging out using their front legs near the end of their life and die soon after mating. #8 Octhera This is a member of the genus of flies that have swollen raptorial forelegs. They use the front pair of the legs to signal, recognize, and express different behavior. They don’t use them for walking, crawling, or supporting the trunk of the body. So they use only 4 legs as actual legs. #9 Garlic Four-Legged Mites Mites belong to arachnids which usually have 4 pairs (8 legs). But this group of mites belongs to the superfamily Eriophyoidea which includes 7 species. The mature instars, or larval stage, of four-legged mites, have two pairs of legs in the front of the body and don’t have any other legs. They are of tiny size are parasites of garlic plants.

Animals

Do Mosquitoes Have 47 Teeth?

This is whether mosquitoes have 47 teeth. Mosquitoes don’t have actual teeth, but they have something that acts like teeth. So if you want to know all the details about mosquitoes and their teeth, this article is for you. Without further ado, let’s do this! Mosquitoes and Their Teeth Mosquitoes are second in a list of key enemies for human beings, right after other human beings. According to one estimate, over 1 million people die each year due to illnesses caused by mosquitoes. This is not because they suck too much of our blood, leading to hypovolemic shock (shock due to sudden decrease in blood volume), but because they introduce a large variety of unwelcome guests in the form of diseases. For example: Plasmodium, which can cause malaria. Dengue virus, which can cause Dengue fever. And many other debilitating or deadly diseases. Let’s get silly for a moment. Imagine a mosquito going to a sink with a brush and toothpaste to clean its teeth. Doesn’t that seem hilarious? This idea is based upon a myth that mosquitoes have true teeth. Suppose by the word “tooth,” we mean that hard calcified structure embedded in fleshy gums used to break food down into small particles. In that case, it becomes impossible for a mosquito to have even a single tooth. However, the phrase “Mosquitoes have 47 teeth” might become more accurate if we modify our concept of what a tooth actually is. Mosquitoes have something that acts just like our teeth do. To understand that, we must clearly understand insect mouthparts, in general, and for a mosquito in particular. Basic Insect Mouthparts Insect mouthparts are comprised of five structures: Labrum: upper lip Labium: lower lip that also serves as a sensory structure Mandibles: hard, strong jaws used to cut food Maxillae: used for holding, manipulating, and movement of the food during mastication (chewing) Hypopharynx: involved in the swallowing process and also associated with salivary glands Keep in mind, mosquitoes don’t drink blood. Other insects such as biting midges and horse flies bite the skin, lacerate it, and then drink the blood that pools at the site. But, mosquitoes like to draw the blood directly from the blood vessels. Mosquito’s Mouthparts In the mosquito, these mouthparts are modified to a structure called proboscis specialized for sucking blood by puncturing the skin, especially in female mosquitoes. The female mosquitoes suck blood because they need protein for their eggs. The proboscis of male mosquitoes isn’t strong enough to pierce the skin. It is used instead to drink nectar and fruit juices. So what is in the female mosquito’s proboscis? The proboscis in mosquitoes comprises 6 needles encased in a sheath and is strong enough to cut through clothes and skin all the way to the walls of blood vessels. The mouthparts mentioned above are present and perform a similar but slightly modified function during bloodsucking. Labrum surrounds six needles and acts as a sheath. This sheath is not inserted into the skin during the bloodsucking. Rather it functions as a guide and has receptors for taste. Mandibles (a pair) are specialized to cut through the skin and are thrust forward as far as possible in search of a blood vessel. Maxillae (a pair) are not as sharp as the mandibles but end up like a knife with a sawtooth appearance. There are 47 teeth-like structures on the maxillae which perform two important functions: Cutting through the skin as mandibles and helping in the probing of the proboscis. The maxillae are thrust before the mandibles in the forward movement of the mosquito’s head. They hold the proboscis when the mandibles are being advanced and do not slip back during mandible forward-pushing. This is achieved by those 47 small saw-like teeth structures present at the edges of maxillae. These saw-like structures on the edges of maxillae are considered to be “MOSQUITO TEETH.” Labium acts as a suction pipe through which the fresh blood is sucked into the mosquito’s gut. Hypopharynx plays a key role in preventing the blood from clotting at the mosquito bite site setting the foundation for the continuous availability of blood to the mosquito. Hypopharynx pumps the saliva into the borehole. This saliva contains anticoagulants that prevent blood clotting. All these needle-like structures play a key role in the overall process of bloodsucking. They are inserted for a very brief interval, and the person realizes the bite only after it has occurred. In other words, the so-called teeth (serrated edges of maxillae) are so small that a person is unaware of their insertion into the skin. Then, why do we feel itchy at the site of the mosquito bite? Is it due to the mosquito’s teeth? No, the itching and swelling at the mosquito’s bite are due to the body’s allergic reaction to the chemicals present in the mosquito’s saliva. Also, the itching and swelling are felt after the bite has occurred, not during the bite. So, mosquitoes don’t have true teeth. Still, they have something that acts like teeth that are the sharp saw teeth-like structures present at the edges of maxillae used to cut and support the proboscis during bloodsucking.

Animals

Do Rats and Mice Eat or Deter Spiders?

This is whether rats and mice eat or deter spiders. Yes, rats and mice eat spiders. But do they deter them too? So if you want to know all the details about rats and mice eating spiders and how they are deterring them, this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! Rats and Mice Eat Spiders Let me break this question into two parts: Do rats and mice eat spiders? Are the spiders deterred by rats or mice? The answer to the first question is straightforward: Yes, rats and mice can eat insects, spiders, and many other things. Rats and mice are some of the most successful mammals that adapt quickly to a large variety of habitats. One of their adaptations to congested urban environments is “to change their eating habits,” as needed. Rats eat various food ranging from meat and cheese to vegetables to garbage and even pet food. What about spiders? Can mice eat them? Before getting into the debate, let us answer another question: Are spiders edible? Yes, spiders are completely edible. Even humans eat spiders. For example, there is a delicious dish that uses fried spiders as its main ingredient in Cambodia. The large spiders used for this dish, considered a delicacy in Cambodia, are a type of tarantula. A group of large hairy spiders with more than 1000 species is sometimes the size of the human palm. Thailand, China, and even Mexico have traditions of eating these types of spiders. Rats eat spiders too, but a spider meal is not the dish most liked by rats. We know this because of a study conducted in New Zealand. The scientists observed a population of different invertebrates before and after killing invasive rats, often called “black ship rats.” The scientists observed an insignificant increase in the spiders after the rats were killed compared to tree weta—the most delicious insects consumed by invasive rats in the country—which increased by three times. This proves that the spiders are not the preferred food for rats, but rats can eat them. Another reported fact is that there are incidences of “spiders preying upon rats and other mammals.” In one study, 42 such incidences were reported. Black widow spiders and other poison spiders were involved in killing small non-flying mammals. Spiders themselves are truly carnivorous and obtain their food mostly by capturing prey using webs or directly attacking the prey, as in jumping spiders. What about the 2nd question? Are spiders deterred by rats? The answer to this question is complex and, generally, the answer is no. Let me explain. By “being deterred,” we mean the conscious fear of consequences when confronted with a particular stimulus or situation (rats in this case). Let me ask you an interesting question: Will your response be the same or different if you deal with two different enemies who have the same power, but you know only one of them? Of course, it will be different. You will be concerned more about the one whose abilities are known to you. You can consider the other one as weaker or stronger depending upon your state of mind. In scientific terms, we call it a search image. To be deterred by a situation, we must have an image of serious consequences in our minds. This image could be due to failure in a previous encounter with a similar situation. Thus, failure or success in the past becomes imprinted in our minds and influences our decision-making. This is not true in the case of spiders. They cannot memorize things for a longer period of time. According to another study, the little brain of the web spider is unable to store the image of the prey it hunted and will be lost after a brief interval. So, when spiders cannot remember the image of the rats, how can they be deterred when facing them? But, this is not always the case. Although spiders have a short memory, they are not dumb at all. On the contrary, they can sometimes have remarkable abilities for decision-making while fighting or hunting. For example, jumping spiders, such as those in one area of the Philippines, can decide the direction of their attack on the prey depending upon the situation. Another example is Portia, a specific type of jumping spider who is an efficient hunter that eats other spiders. Portia hunts by sneaking into the webs of other prey spiders and produces decoy signals to attract the prey spider (the resident of that web). The prey spider interprets these signals as an insect ensnared in the web—lunch has arrived. However, as the prey spider enters its own web, the Portia attacks. Every prey spider only understands a specific signal. So Portia changes the signal for each type of prey spider. To achieve success, a Portia produces a large variety of signals. She then sticks to a specific one that proves effective. Can you imagine where this military tactic comes from? Similarly, another type of orb weaver spider, Argiope appensa, is very intelligent. When a predator enters its web, it sets its own web in motion by pumping action and makes the predator fall. This discussion takes us to a new question: How can spiders recognize their prey when they have only a short memory? Most spiders capture their prey through web hunting. They are not always very specific about their prey, but some do have prey preferences. They recognize their prey by using innate search images; that is, the image of that particular prey is present in the spider’s instincts. That means the spider will attack a specific prey with each encounter. Spiders are not deterred by rats as the images of rats are not in their instincts. This may be due to the fact that spiders are not part of the preferred diet for rats. Otherwise, evolution would have provided the innate search image of rats as a potential predator in a spider’s mind. The bottom line is that rats can eat spiders, but they don’t love to eat …

Animals

Insects vs. Arthropods: What Is the Difference?

Here’s the difference between insects and arthropods: All insects are arthropods, though not all arthropods are insects. These are the 9 key reasons why insects are arthropods, but not all arthropods are insects: Number of units (body segmentation) Composition of exoskeleton Number and location of legs Antennae Eyes Wings Metamorphosis and larval stages Respiratory system Excretory system If you want to learn all about the differences between insects and arthropods, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get started! Is There a Difference Between Insects and Arthropods? Imagine you see a: Butterfly Spider Lobster Centipede or Millipede Most of us think of all of these as part of the same group of living organisms. You are partially correct. All of them are part of the phylum Arthropoda. However, they are not the same. Butterflies—Insect Spider—Arachnid Lobster—Crustaceans Centipedes and Millipedes—Myriapoda To most of us, the term “Insect” represents all the arthropods. We get confused because we lump all of these organisms together even though most on this list are technically not insects. Just remember: “All insects are arthropods, but all arthropods are not insects.” To better understand the differences between insects and arthropods, let’s introduce some important terms and concepts. What Are Arthropods? The largest phylum of the kingdom Animalia is Arthropoda. To be called an arthropod, the organism must have the following characteristics: Jointed appendages. Chitinous (made of chitin), non-living, waxy, moisture-proof exoskeleton which serves the purpose of protection and to provide a place for muscle attachment. It is often hardened by the deposition of calcium or silica. The organism must shed its exoskeleton to grow as part of a process called molting. Exoskeleton gives rise to many appendages and projections modified for protection, predation, sperm injection, filtering food, sensing and communication, and much more. Segmented body; the number of segments can vary in different arthropods. Antennae are the modified projections made up of chitin use for sensing the environment and for communication. Compound eye is made up of specialized cells called Ommatidia, which detect the stimulus of eyes and rarely form an image different from ours. The main body cavity is called coelom and possesses bilateral summitry (i.e., the body can be cut into two mirror images using one plane only). An open circulatory system consisting of a tubular heart, blood-like fluid (hemolymph) with no red blood cells, and hemoglobin. Most arthropods don’t need to transport oxygen, but some have a blue-pigmented protein called hemocyanin dissolved in their hemolymph. The excretory system of arthropods is of two types: 1) Excretion through gills, as in aquatic arthropods; and 2) Excretion through Malpighian tubules, which are joined to the gut, as in terrestrial arthropods. Arthropods are further divided into five major groups: Trilobites have been extinct since the Devonian Period. Chelicerata consisting of sea spiders, scorpions, spiders, ticks, mites, and horseshoe crab. Crustaceans are aquatic invertebrates such as shrimp, lobster, crabs, and woodlice. Hexapoda is comprised of insects and insect-like organisms. Myriapoda are centipedes and millipedes. What Are Insects? The above discussion clarifies that “Arthropods” consist of many broader groups, and insects are just one group within that larger group. Although the total number of insects within Arthropoda is huge, they are still just a subdivision of arthropods. Let’s discuss the differences between insects and other arthropods to better understand what makes insects distinctive. What Are the Differences Between Insects and Arthropods? (9 Differences) Here are the differences between insects and arthropods: #1 Number of Units (Body Segmentation) The body of an insect consists of three parts: Head Thorax (further divided into three segments) Abdomen (consists of 11 abdominal segments). Other arthropods have a different body segmentation ranging from only two in arachnids to 15 to 170 segments found in centipedes. #2 Composition of Exoskeleton The second layer (procuticle) of the exoskeleton of insects is composed of chitin and sclerotin. But the exoskeleton of crustaceans contains magnesium calcite and amorphous calcium phosphate. The difference in the composition is the result of evolutionary changes related to habitat and their niche specialization. #3 Number and Location of Legs Six legs in three pairs are the most important characteristic of insects and are attached to the thoracic segments only. Other arthropods have a variety of leg organization: 4 pairs in arachnids 5 pairs in some crustaceans Multiple pairs in centipedes and millipedes. #4 Antennae Antennae are the appendages attached to the head (the primary antennae) or, in some cases, the second segment (secondary antennae) in arthropods. Insects have only one pair of antennae attached to the 2nd segment only and use them for a variety of purposes depending upon species: Olfactory sensation Taste sensation, as in the diamondback moth Mating as in African cotton leaf-worm As a compass, as in monarch butterflies. Other arthropods, such as crustaceans, have 2 pairs of antennae which they use for sensation, communication, attachment, and even for swimming during larval stages. Some arthropods don’t have antennae at all, such as spiders, mites, and scorpions. #5 Eyes Most insects have a dichoptic arrangement of the eyes, which means they have two eyes arranged on each side of their head. Other arthropods may have a large number of eyes which have a variety of different arrangements such as a large number of the eyes arranged not only in the center of the head, but also on the sides and back of the head, as in the horseshoe crab. #6 Wings Insects are the only invertebrates that have developed the ability to fly. Their muscles are adapted to contract multiple times on a single nerve impulse (signal to contract). All insects have developed a pair of wings that they can shed, but most fly during at least one phase of their life. #7 Metamorphosis and Larval Stages Normally, insects pass through four stages of development: Egg A mobile or immobile larva Pupa Adult The developing insects in all these stages look different, and none of the stages look alike. Although there is an incomplete metamorphosis, the larval stages of other arthropods are different from insects. For example, crustaceans pass through: Nauplius larval stage Zoea larval stage Mysis Post larval stage Adult growth stage #8 Respiratory System Insect respiratory system …

Animals

Does Raid® Ant and Roach Killer Kills Spiders Too?

This is whether Raid® Ant and Roach Killer kills spiders too. Short answer: yes. So if you want to know in detail why and how Raid® Ant and Roach Killer eradicates spiders, then you’re in the right place. Let’s jump right in! Raid® Ant and Roach Killer Kills Spiders Have you ever considered that while you proceed against insects you don’t like, you may inflict harm on yourself by killing beneficial insects like butterflies, bees, and spiders? Yet, when you use insecticides to fight against roaches and fire ants, you may kill many beneficial and harmless insects. Think of it as collateral damage. This is a sad reality and something we should think about every time we use an insecticide product. Insecticides Kill Everything in Its Path Did you ever see the movie 40 Days and Nights? In that movie, they discuss the importance of honey bees to survive human beings on the planet. Without honey bees, many of the foods we eat that require pollination to reproduce would not be pollinated. Here’s something to think about: There are over one million ants for every one human being. Can you imagine what the world would be like without ants clearing away the small pieces of biscuits and bread we drop on the ground? There are dozens of beneficial insects in and around our homes, including, but not limited to: Ladybird (ladybugs) Butterflies Moths Flies Bees They all perform some important work from cleaning and clearing surfaces to controlling other harmful insects to pollinated crops we used for food. These insects reinforce the idea that “Nothing in this Universe is without a purpose.” One of the best ways to control harmful insects is to use a predator insect to control them. This is called biological control. What About Spiders? Are They Beneficial? Spiders can be beneficial, but there are a few that can be considered dangerous spiders. A few of these dangerous ones live in places with larger human populations. Still, most live in more rural or secluded areas such as deserts and forests. Here are some examples of some of the most beneficial spiders: Jumping Spiders The bite of a jumping spider is harmless to humans. However, they control many of the flies and other annoying insects in our homes, such as ants. Most of the jumping spider species are so selective in their preying behavior that they don’t attack the worker ants, as an example. They are one of the biggest biological controllers of ants and flies. Wolf Spiders These exceptionally robust and keen hunters are also harmless to humans and pose no threat to human health. Unless someone is an arachnophobe, they can grow to be almost 2 inches or 5 centimeters in size! They look scary but really aren’t. Orb-weaver Spiders This large family of spiders is a perfect example of the saying, “the enemy of the enemy is my friend.” They wrap and kill wasps and other venomous insects and release a pheromone that attracts their insect prey. These prey species fly toward their web, get stuck, and become part of the spider’s dinner buffet. There are other beneficial garden spiders, including: Crab Spider Funnel Weaver Spider And many others worthy of exploration. So, if we indiscriminately use insecticides and pesticides, we risk destroying all types of insects. By doing so, we disrupt the food chain and any natural biological control mechanisms. So, we should not use insecticides unless they are absolutely necessary. Does Raid® Kill Spiders, Too? The answer is: Of course, it can kill spiders. Raid® contains Pyrethroids which can occur both naturally as well as synthetically. In the case of Raid®, synthetic pyrethroids such as Imiprothrin and Cypermethrin are the main killing ingredients. These compounds act by keeping the voltage-gated sodium channels open, putting the insect’s muscles into a hyperactive state, leading to paralysis. All arachnids (spiders, mites, and ticks) have these channels and are equally prone to the action of these drugs. Cypermethrin Affect on Spiders The effect of cypermethrin on spiders has been studied for years. For all families of spiders, it has been proven toxic. The LD50 (Lethal dose that kills 50% of the spiders exposed) for spiders is 103 ng/g and 1000 ng/g for young and adult spiders. Cypermethrin is a broad-spectrum insecticide that kills spiders in two ways: Any general use of this chemical against harmful insects will also kill beneficial ones, including spiders beneficial to our home gardens or general agriculture. The other point to consider is that spiders are beneficial because they eat other insects. If we kill their prey, we, in effect, starve these beneficial spiders. Imiprothrin Affect on Spiders The second most important component of Raid® is Imiprothrin, a pyrethroid-like cypermethrin. It acts similarly, making it equally toxic to spiders. When combined with cypermethrin, both these chemicals are synergistic (show more than the combined effect of both drugs), proving to be even more toxic spiders. Hence, To Control Insects, You Should Follow These Guidelines: Try your maximize your physical control over harmful insects by using non-toxic systems such as screens, nets, electric insect zappers, and even certain insect bait traps to prevent insects from entering your home. Don’t remove all insects from your home. Many of them are beneficial and often harmless to humans, especially spiders. If you have arachnophobia, physically remove them from your house instead of killing them. Sometimes insecticide use is unavoidable. If this is the case, use only the smallest possible dose to avoid killing harmless insects and spray only in the areas where it is absolutely necessary. Basically, use insecticides sparingly and with specificity. The biological control of insects is often the best strategy to safeguard kids and pets from harmful interactions with insects. Remember, insecticides can also be toxic to human beings and animals. We should work to balance safety with preserving nature for future generations.

Animals

Why Do Insects Come Out After a Rain?

This is why insects come out after a rain. Many insects prefer warm, humid environments. So if you want to know why insects come out after a rain, then this article is for you. Keep reading! Insects Come Out After a Rain for Two Reasons Have you ever wondered why small insects emerge after it rains? We all have seen a lot of flying insects rise up after a rainstorm only to end up as dinner for frogs and lizards. But why do so many insects come out? Are they enjoying a wonderful picnic after the rain? Or did the rainwater flood and destroyed their homes, and the survivors are seeking shelter? Or both, or maybe neither. The reason this swarming happens for each insect is different. Even so, they fall into two main groups: Some insects come out after heavy rains because of damage to their homes due to flooding and searching for a safer place. It may also be the perfect time to breed and produce new generations. Why Insects Come Out in Abundance After It Rains The bottom line is many insects thrive after the rain because they love a hot, humid environment, so they can: Lay eggs Mate and breed Nourish their larvae Avoid drowning Enjoy fresh air Here’s why insects come out after it rains: Nuptial Flights in Fire Ants Many types of ants exhibit a behavior when it is time to breed. They develop wings and fly away. The optimal conditions for these flights of reproduction are: 80% humidity Temperature of 75.2-89.6 °F These conditions often occur right after a summer rain. Therefore, these young, loving couples come out to breed. Hundreds of virgin queen ants and males join and fly together after the rain as part of their mating ritual. After mating, males die due to the explosion of their genitals during sex, and female queens shed their wings and start egg-laying. This type of behavior also happens in many bees and fly species too. Flying Termites Termites are destructive to wood and paper. Unfortunately, in some countries where they are abundant, the damage can be so common that insurance companies won’t permit you to claim termite damage in their policies. After a good rain, a large number of flying termites emerge to breed. The mechanism and cause of their emergence are similar to ants, but there are some differences. Ants tend to move in areas with bright light. Termites like it shady and wet. Floating Ants Red fire ants exhibit unusual but important behavior. When rain floods their colonies and destroys their homes, they tend to join together and make a raft. Hundreds and thousands of ants join together and start floating on the water. They safely move the queen, hatchlings, and eggs to safer places by this behavior. Cockroaches Cockroaches live happily in: Drains Sewerage pipes Underground waste channels where they find an enormous amount of dead organic matter After it rains, these places usually have a high water load and can flood. So to avoid drowning, cockroaches show up and enter wherever they find safety, including your kitchen or bathroom. Mosquitoes Rain works for mosquitoes, as spring works for flowering plants. It is the best time to lay eggs because their larvae can only develop in water. For most mosquitoes, such as the anopheles, their larvae thrive best in stagnant water. Stagnant water can accumulate on: Roofs Potholes Old tires Other types of crevices or basin-like shapes that can hold water However, some species of mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti like clean and fresh water, such as that found in your plant pots or air conditioner units. To avoid mosquitoes and the diseases they spread, you should avoid having any kind of water accumulation around your house. Moreover, you can put some type of natural insecticides, such as cinnamon oil and cinnamon sticks, to kill the mosquito larvae in the plant pots. This approach has been proved to be very effective in research studies. Centipedes These long creatures also come out in large numbers after it rains. Though they reproduce slowly and rain does not affect their reproduction, they act as police officers during the rainy season. They are predators and eat small insects. And because their prey comes out in abundance after the rain, they come out to hunt them. Who wants to miss a buffet of the most delicious insects when they are abundant and easily available? Woodlouse or Sow Bug This is an organism with probably the most nicknames of any creature. Here are just a few: Pill Bug Doodle Bug Cheese Bug Roly-Poly Chiggy Pig Whatever you happen to call them, they usually live in damp places because they undergo coetaneous respiration. Previously, they lived in water and adapted to the terrestrial environment, but some species prefer damp places because their respiratory system requires moisture for the gaseous exchange. The rainy season provides such an environment. Ticks and Fleas Ticks and fleas are ectoparasites of pets and other animals. Like mosquitoes, these blood-sucking arachnids pose a serious threat to dogs and cats—and you—especially during the rainy season. This is because an adult tick or its pupa will only search for a host to suck its blood when it is sure that there would be enough humidity to absorb water from the environment. Moreover, veterinarians have seen a rise in the cases of tick-related diseases, such as tick fever, during wet weather. Fleas also thrive in humid conditions. Housefly When talking about insects, how can we ignore flies? You may have observed a sudden rise in the number of house flies after it rains. The reason is that they need plenty of water to breed. This also answers one of the most important questions: Why do flies hover around our faces? They do this because of the moisture in our: Sweat Saliva Breath Ken Paige says that the reason flies increase in number before a rainstorm is because flies and other insects respond to falling barometric pressure which …

Animals

Does Cinnamon Attract or Repel Insects?

Here’s whether cinnamon attracts or repels insects. In short: it repels insects. So if you want to know how cinnamon repels insects and how to use it to repel insects, then this article is for you. Let’s jump right in! Cinnamon Repels Insects Insects are out there, hiding, ready to rob your precious blood or share with you a disease or two. You cannot kill them all, but you do have some options: Avoidance. Kill them with insecticides. Cover spaces with screens or fine nets. Repel them with chemical pest sprays. Create natural repellants and insecticides. All of these methods have some limitations: Who wants to stay indoors shaking in fear of insects? So avoidance is not the best option. Most insect sprays these days contain insecticides that are equally dangerous to humans. Moreover, they kill beneficial insects such as honey bees, ladybirds (ladybugs), and other pollinators. Screens and fine-nets are not always practical to use outdoors. Insect repellents come with different odors and are expensive, too. Nature to the Rescue: The Benefits of Cinnamon Nature might be able to lend a helping hand. Many natural spice trees and herbs have the ability to repel insects. Cinnamon is one of them. The cinnamon tree is a great blessing of nature. It’s benefits are: Used in coloring Creates a refreshing tea It can deaden the pain from insect bites It as medical benefits Ancient Egyptians used it during mummification Cinnamon was once so expensive that the traders kept its production hidden for centuries in order to keep the price high. Action of Cinnamon Most insect repellants contain certain aromatic compounds. These aromatic compounds produce a pungent odor that insects don’t like. Cinnamon has a bucket of aromatic oils. There are over 80 different aromatic compounds present in different parts of the cinnamon plant, including compounds such as: Cinnamaldehyde Cinnamyl acetate Copane Camphor Eugenol These are all very effective against microbes. They work by altering the composition of the cellular envelope of bacteria. The change in the cellular membrane blocks the entry of food into the cell, which causes the bacteria to starve to death. Many bacteria have been tested for the effectiveness of cinnamon oil, including: SalmonellaEscherichia coli Micrococcus The Effect of Cinnamon on Different Insects These are the effects of cinnamon on different insects: Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are everywhere: In your yard The local park City streets At the beach The good news is cinnamaldehyde, and cinnamyl acetate present in cinnamon oil have been proven to kill mosquito larvae even at a very low concentration in extensive studies. In another study, cinnamaldehyde showed repellant and toxic effects against Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes responsible for malaria and dengue fever. Wasps Wasps can be effectively and organically repelled by using cinnamon oil. Cinnamon oil contains the eugenol essential oil, which acts as a repellant and can deter wasps from egg-laying. Termites Termites have been a nightmare for structures, bookshelves, and furniture for centuries. They eat cellulose and lignin in wood and paper, leading to the destruction of all wood-based products. Is there any plant or organic product that is unaffected by termites? Yes! Cinnamon is one of them. Cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and alpha-terpineol extracted from cinnamon oil have been proven to have excellent anti-termite properties. So, have you started putting cinnamon powder in your books? Fire Ants The cinnamon oil components are repellent to insects but are toxic to some of them too. This is the case with fire ants. Red fire ants are an agricultural pest because they damage the seeds sown in the field. In one study, the cinnamaldehyde in the cinnamon oil was found to kill red fire ants. Other Agricultural Pests Burning cinnamon leaves and bark in orchards and gardens have proven to be very effective against oak nut weevils. Cinnamon oil has also been proven toxic to rice moths and Mediterranean fruit fly eggs. Stored-Grain Pests There is an ancient practice of keeping neem and cinnamon leaves in rice and grain bags in Asian countries to deter insect infestation. It is very effective. The basic science behind this is that the essential oil components of cinnamon leaves are extremely toxic to many insects, including: Rice weevils Angoumois grain moth Red flour beetle Indian meal moth Confused flour moth Pulse beetle Lice You may not have lice in your beautiful hair, but that may not be true for the animals around you. Lice can harm their health. However, not everyone can afford to buy expensive insecticides for animals. Cinnamon oil has been proven to be extremely effective against lice. In a study cinnamon oil killed lice and three different harmful flies which attack ungulates. Mites In another study, cinnamon oil displayed a very strong killing effect against the poultry red mite and house dust mite. How to Use Cinnamon Against Insects? You can use cinnamon in a variety of ways: Burn a candle along with some cinnamon sticks while sitting outdoors. Sprinkle cinnamon powder around picnic food items. Add some cinnamon sticks to your potted plants to kill mosquito larvae during the rainy seasons to avoid dengue and malaria. Poultry farmers sometimes burn and keep cinnamon sticks outside open poultry sheds to deter ticks. It was common practice to burn cinnamon along with other natural ingredients to produce smoke that kills bacteria and harmful insects. Insecticide has been proven to work by four different methods: Repellant Deterrent Toxin Growth regulator The bottom line is that cinnamon has all these properties. It contains essential oil components that can be used as an: Insect repellent Insect poison Mosquito larva killer It is cheap, readily available, and has minimal side effects for humans if used in small quantities.