tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156410428081081652024-03-13T12:23:25.668+00:00Invertebrate DiariesNotes from my experience breeding and studying a wide variety of different invertebrates.Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comBlogger406125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-76622956211773432872017-09-02T12:36:00.001+00:002017-09-02T12:40:03.918+00:00Popular Science Books on Orthopera AcousticsThis list will be updated as regularly as possible.<br />
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<td><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0674046900/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0674046900&linkCode=as2&tag=edbaker-21&linkId=f95a20fe2c122169e71601fefb0d99e3" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=GB&ASIN=0674046900&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=edbaker-21" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=edbaker-21&l=am2&o=2&a=0674046900" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></td><td><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0674046900/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0674046900&linkCode=as2&tag=edbaker-21&linkId=ccdb59002a6b5e38d2b05b457206a024" target="_blank">Cricket Radio: Tuning in the Nightsinging Insects</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=edbaker-21&l=am2&o=2&a=0674046900" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></td>
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<tr><td><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1250045053/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1250045053&linkCode=as2&tag=edbaker-21&linkId=1146771e8d85c8fd72cde47ed0d99569" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=GB&ASIN=1250045053&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=edbaker-21" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=edbaker-21&l=am2&o=2&a=1250045053" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></td><td><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1250045053/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1250045053&linkCode=as2&tag=edbaker-21&linkId=1aa88bbf4a7c6f3207d4f0e92f3a8a2a" target="_blank">Bug Music</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=edbaker-21&l=am2&o=2&a=1250045053" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></td></tr>
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Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-41822875717608135502017-05-24T13:31:00.001+00:002017-05-24T18:25:05.565+00:00Ancylecha fenestrata (Fabricius, 1793)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4156/34053591543_bfb0c8ae44_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="800" height="524" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4156/34053591543_bfb0c8ae44_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ancylecha fenestrata</i> adult female</td></tr>
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<i>Ancylecha fenestrata</i> is a large bush-cricket (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) from Malaysia. It has been reared in Europe for a number of years on <i>Ligustrum</i> spp. (Privet) and <i>Rubus </i>spp. (Bramble). The above picture was the first to reach maturity out of a total of 3 females and 1 male (several nymphs died due to bad moults - often from falling during the moulting process).<br />
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The acoustics of this species are relatively poorly known, an audible defensive stridulation is made by both sexes. There are some reports (<a href="http://bio.acousti.ca/content/auditory-fovea-ear-duetting-katydid-shows-male-specific-adaptation-female-call" rel="">Scherberich</a><a href="http://bio.acousti.ca/content/auditory-fovea-ear-duetting-katydid-shows-male-specific-adaptation-female-call"> <i>et al</i>, 2013</a>) of the males having a calling song in the ultrasound, although I have not yet been able to confirm this (a signal matching their description that I recorded was later found to be interference on the power supply to the recorder, possibly from fluorescent light fittings).<br />
<br />
I have several days and nights worth of recordings of the male, an isolated male and female, and a male and female in the same enclosure to process and hopefully identify a calling song.<br />
<br />
Samples of the defensive stridulation will be added to <a href="http://bio.acousti.ca/">BioAcoustica</a> (<a href="https://ebaker.me.uk/node/148">Baker <i>et al</i>, 2015</a>) (direct link to <a href="http://bio.acousti.ca/classification/ancylecha-fenestrata"><i>Ancylecha fenestrata</i></a> page). There are already links to several publications on the sound production and hearing of this species.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4200/34053591333_0052ab801b_o_d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="800" height="338" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4200/34053591333_0052ab801b_o_d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ancylecha fenestrata</i> female nymph</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4245/34053590463_44e0217a5b_o_d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4245/34053590463_44e0217a5b_o_d.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ancylecha fenestrata</i> female nymph. Both nymphs and adults of both sexes regularly sit with both antennae under their bodies in contact with the substrate. </td></tr>
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<br />Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-17913121342133173332016-09-13T09:55:00.001+00:002016-09-13T09:55:28.228+00:00Science Today: An Entomologist's Entomologist<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pkbST6EjbDU" width="480"></iframe>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-52284048736789067952015-11-23T15:53:00.000+00:002015-11-23T15:53:04.365+00:00In the News: Rare stick insect to go international to save its speciesFrom the Syndney Morning Herald: <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/rare-stick-insect-to-go-international-to-save-its-species-20151122-gl5ch7.html">Rare stick insect to go international to save its species</a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UI-rcb8OCXQ/VlM2Q1CBibI/AAAAAAAAbwg/EUgZYMF0tr0/s1600/1448257862507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UI-rcb8OCXQ/VlM2Q1CBibI/AAAAAAAAbwg/EUgZYMF0tr0/s640/1448257862507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Hundreds of precious Lord Howe Island stick insect eggs will be sent
overseas as part of a captive breeding program for the critically
endangered Australian insect – which until 2001 was thought extinct.<br />
<br />
Bred at Melbourne Zoo, 900 of the lentil-sized eggs will travel to zoos
in Bristol, Toronto and San Diego, where insurance populations will be
established for one of the world's rarest insects. </blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/rare-stick-insect-to-go-international-to-save-its-species-20151122-gl5ch7.html">Read More</a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-67667264502996073612015-05-12T13:14:00.003+00:002015-05-12T13:14:40.791+00:00In the News: Predatory cockroach from dinosaur era found trapped in amberFrom New Scientist: <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27439-predatory-cockroach-from-dinosaur-era-found-trapped-in-amber.html">Predatory cockroach from dinosaur era found trapped in amber</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtTq-B-p3EM/VVH8etygk1I/AAAAAAAAa6A/mmDE7OEEFlw/s1600/dn27439-1_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EtTq-B-p3EM/VVH8etygk1I/AAAAAAAAa6A/mmDE7OEEFlw/s640/dn27439-1_1200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="infuse">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="infuse">
This exotic, praying-mantis-like cockroach that lived
at the same time as dinosaurs was caught in amber about 100 million
years ago. It is part of a new family of extinct predatory cockroaches
that hunted at night.</div>
<div class="infuse">
<br /></div>
<div class="infuse">
Peter Vršanský
from the Geological Institute in Bratislava, Slovakia, and Günter
Bechly from the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, Germany,
who examined the insect, say its long neck, which allows the head to
rotate freely, and unusually long legs, suggest that it actively pursued
prey. The fossilised insect, called <i>Manipulator modificaputis</i>, was discovered at a mine in Noije Bum, Myanmar.</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="infuse">
<br /><a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27439-predatory-cockroach-from-dinosaur-era-found-trapped-in-amber.html">Read More </a></div>
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Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-14004504667211290842015-02-16T14:19:00.001+00:002015-02-16T14:19:37.383+00:00Phyllium from the American Agriculturist<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpR-1gyelxI/VODANNSc7QI/AAAAAAAAZSM/IvA2iziLksE/s1600/Anono-c.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpR-1gyelxI/VODANNSc7QI/AAAAAAAAZSM/IvA2iziLksE/s1600/Anono-c.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Agriculturist, June 1887 pg 227</td></tr>
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<br />Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-71450457943462223502015-02-15T15:05:00.003+00:002015-02-15T15:07:04.832+00:00Phasmid infestations reported in American Agriculturist (1887)While doing some research on phasmids as forest defoliators I discovered these reports from the American Agriculturist on infestations of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_walkingstick"><i>Diapheromera femorata</i></a> in 1887.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-soTFcT2JM78/VOC1XNaxGMI/AAAAAAAAZRc/merm7CGMaWI/s1600/Anon-a-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-soTFcT2JM78/VOC1XNaxGMI/AAAAAAAAZRc/merm7CGMaWI/s1600/Anon-a-1.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lrOGi21alAs/VOC1XMwGwJI/AAAAAAAAZRg/D0Fcy0uMELg/s1600/Anon-a-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lrOGi21alAs/VOC1XMwGwJI/AAAAAAAAZRg/D0Fcy0uMELg/s1600/Anon-a-2.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DCNzNFlzZPk/VOC1XBisqMI/AAAAAAAAZRk/ykIzOXxZp7k/s1600/Anon-a-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DCNzNFlzZPk/VOC1XBisqMI/AAAAAAAAZRk/ykIzOXxZp7k/s1600/Anon-a-3.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZtd92g5_FU/VOC1X-OIyWI/AAAAAAAAZRo/pDvJ80lVF8o/s1600/Anon-a-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZtd92g5_FU/VOC1X-OIyWI/AAAAAAAAZRo/pDvJ80lVF8o/s1600/Anon-a-4.png" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PaJjSAH1o-c/VOC1YOhGIbI/AAAAAAAAZRs/JcewEHtpW_E/s1600/Anon-a-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PaJjSAH1o-c/VOC1YOhGIbI/AAAAAAAAZRs/JcewEHtpW_E/s1600/Anon-a-5.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Agriculturist, June 1887, pg 219</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwWS67f2Ews/VN9n4R7b5FI/AAAAAAAAZQw/9SoMNluE6i4/s1600/Anon-b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SwWS67f2Ews/VN9n4R7b5FI/AAAAAAAAZQw/9SoMNluE6i4/s1600/Anon-b.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Agriculturist, August 1887, pg 302</td></tr>
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Source: Internet Archive, <a href="https://archive.org/details/americanagricult36unse">American Agriculturist, for the farm, garden and household (1877)</a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-45050496572317910622015-01-04T17:00:00.000+00:002015-01-04T17:00:00.323+00:00In the News: Hermit Cockroaches: Two New Taxa From China Prefer Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3fRH_IAddE/VKgZWdzZLzI/AAAAAAAAY_I/zKU5SY9xWOo/s1600/panesthia_angustipennis_cognata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3fRH_IAddE/VKgZWdzZLzI/AAAAAAAAY_I/zKU5SY9xWOo/s1600/panesthia_angustipennis_cognata.jpg" height="628" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
From Science 2.0: <a href="http://www.science20.com/news_articles/hermit_cockroaches_two_new_taxa_from_china_prefer_woods-151659">Hermit Cockroaches: Two New Taxa From China Prefer Woods</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Cockroaches are most often though of as infecting human homes but
a new species and a new subspecies discovered in China prefer to live a
hermit life, drilling logs far away from crowds and houses.<br />
<br />
It's more common than we think. Out of around 4,600 species of
cockroaches worldwide, only 30 are the cockroaches associated with human
habitats that gives the bad fame of these creatures. The
representatives of the genus <em>Panesthia</em>, to which the new
species and subspecies belong, for example are distinctive for drilling
logs and xylophagy (feeding on wood), rather than living in houses and
eating rubbish.<br /><br />
The new species, <em>P. guizhouensis</em>, was firstly collected from a
rotten wood log near a large pool where it was living undisturbed, far
away from cities in Guizhou Province. A colony of more than 60 nymphs
and 52 adults, emerged from the log when the wood was split, quickly
fleeing away. </blockquote>
<a href="http://www.science20.com/news_articles/hermit_cockroaches_two_new_taxa_from_china_prefer_woods-151659">Read more </a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-5938273122192834432015-01-04T10:00:00.000+00:002015-01-04T10:00:00.869+00:00In the News: First steps for Hector the robot stick insect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_o72WPgPpw/VKgYWOJgNUI/AAAAAAAAY_A/tBt2tsIG-Cs/s1600/firststepsfo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6_o72WPgPpw/VKgYWOJgNUI/AAAAAAAAY_A/tBt2tsIG-Cs/s1600/firststepsfo.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
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From phys.org: <a href="http://phys.org/news/2014-12-hector-robot-insect.html">First steps for Hector the robot stick insect</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
A research team at Bielefeld University has succeeded in teaching
the only robot of its kind in the world how to walk. Its first steps
have been recorded in a video. The robot is called Hector, and its
construction is modelled on a stick insect. Inspired by the insect,
Hector has passive elastic joints and an ultralight exoskeleton. What
makes it unique is that it is also equipped with a great number of
sensors and it functions according to a biologically inspired
decentralized reactive control concept: the Walknet. By 2017, the
walking robot will be equipped with additional abilities in a major
project at the Center of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology
(CITEC).
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="article-banner first-banner">
</div>
The walking robot has been built by the Biomechatronics
research group. In the future, Hector should serve as a platform for
biologists and roboticists to test hypotheses about animal locomotion.
One major aspect will be the fusion of large amounts of data from
sensors so that the robot can walk more autonomously than before. A
further key issue will be the optimal coordination of movements by a
robot with elastic drives.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://phys.org/news/2014-12-hector-robot-insect.html">Read more</a><br />
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dpcAIzCj3CY" width="560"></iframe></div>
Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-48009306135306725012015-01-03T16:25:00.001+00:002015-01-03T16:25:22.622+00:00In the News: World’s Second-Longest Insect Discovered in Vietnam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c0ANtO6NjDA/VKgXZjVMy4I/AAAAAAAAY-4/5U55avE5ZJo/s1600/image_2363_1-Phryganistria-heusii-yentuensis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c0ANtO6NjDA/VKgXZjVMy4I/AAAAAAAAY-4/5U55avE5ZJo/s1600/image_2363_1-Phryganistria-heusii-yentuensis.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></div>
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From sci-news.com: <a href="http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-phryganistria-heusii-yentuensis-worlds-second-longest-insect-vietnam-02363.html">World’s Second-Longest Insect Discovered in Vietnam</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In the jungles of Vietnam, biologists Dr Joachim Bresseel and Dr Jerome
Constant from Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences have
discovered two new species and one new subspecies of Phasmatodea, an order of insects whose members are known as stick insects.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The latter, named <em>Phryganistria heusii yentuensis</em>, is the second-longest insect known to date.</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The current record-holder is another stick-insect called <em>Phobaeticus chani</em>. It is found on the Indonesian island of Borneo and measures a huge 36 cm in length.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-phryganistria-heusii-yentuensis-worlds-second-longest-insect-vietnam-02363.html">Read more</a><br />
Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-7782955280991803022014-11-29T12:46:00.001+00:002014-11-29T12:46:11.331+00:00Lego Arthropleura armata<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropleura_armata"><i>Arthropleura armata</i></a> is an extinct, large Carboniferous millipede. Here it is recreated in Lego at Brick2014.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hDjaF9uv58/VHm_iXGzs3I/AAAAAAAAYwY/MC6tNecXh20/s1600/lego_arthropleura_armata_by_stevolteon-d79lax9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hDjaF9uv58/VHm_iXGzs3I/AAAAAAAAYwY/MC6tNecXh20/s1600/lego_arthropleura_armata_by_stevolteon-d79lax9.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stevolteon.deviantart.com/art/Lego-Arthropleura-Armata-439373709">DeviantArt page of the creator</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-58028330187303277212014-08-10T19:41:00.000+00:002014-08-10T19:41:19.471+00:00Cicada HairstyleFrom BoingBoing: <a href="http://boingboing.net/2014/08/06/cicada-hairstyle.html">Cicada Hairstyle</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bkp4TTdTQnA/U-fKzl4KUTI/AAAAAAAAWgE/mItzx_ybvxw/s1600/untitled2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bkp4TTdTQnA/U-fKzl4KUTI/AAAAAAAAWgE/mItzx_ybvxw/s1600/untitled2.jpg" height="640" width="466" /></a></div>
Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-83003514703565771442014-06-29T16:34:00.001+00:002014-06-29T16:34:36.280+00:00In the News: Jellyfish MisquotationFrom Bridport News: <a href="http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/11215513.Giant_jellyfish_wash_up_on_county_coast/">Giant jellyfish wash up on county coast</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/edwbaker/14157940983" title="Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo) by Edward Baker, on Flickr"><img alt="Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/14157940983_389e3e6670_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<br />
Sadly the newspaper does it's best to dramatise the event "A HOLIDAYMAKER had a shock when he stumbled across a giant jellyfish on a beach in Lyme Regis." I'm not sure where they expect to find washed-up jellyfish - but that bit of land between the sea and the cliff is a prime spot. If I found atop a lamppost in London, yes, I would be shocked. On a beach it's hardly worth mentioning.Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-77495543731285425262014-06-03T11:44:00.002+00:002014-12-12T14:11:20.209+00:00Wildlife Sound GuidesA list of published for identifying wildlife via sound. This list will be updated over time.<br />
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<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007209061/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0007209061&linkCode=as2&tag=edbaker-21"><img border="0" src="http://ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0007209061&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=edbaker-21" /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=edbaker-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0007209061" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></a>
</td>
<td><b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007209061/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0007209061&linkCode=as2&tag=edbaker-21">Collins Field Guide: Wildlife Sounds</a></b><br />
Covers all species of UK animal identifiable by sound, includes audio CD.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007277237/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0007277237&linkCode=as2&tag=edbaker-21"><img border="0" src="http://ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0007277237&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=edbaker-21" /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=edbaker-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0007277237" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></a>
</td>
<td><b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0007277237/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0007277237&linkCode=as2&tag=edbaker-21">New Naturalist: Grasshoppers and Crickets</a></b><br />
UK Orthoptera. Includes DVD of audio and video recordings.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0946589496/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0946589496&linkCode=as2&tag=edbaker-21&linkId=QT4KNMWNWXFRZGGN"><img border="0" src="http://ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0946589496&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=edbaker-21" ></a><img src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=edbaker-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0946589496" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
</td>
<td>
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0946589496/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0946589496&linkCode=as2&tag=edbaker-21&linkId=WZP3FHWZJNJ3M2OG">The Songs of the Grasshoppers and Crickets of Western Europe</a><img src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=edbaker-21&l=as2&o=2&a=0946589496" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></b><br/>
European Orthoptera.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-69610307832773033082014-04-05T21:21:00.002+00:002014-04-05T21:21:22.077+00:00In the News: 'Touched' female cockroaches reproduce fasterFrom phys.org: <a href="http://phys.org/news/2014-04-female-cockroaches-faster.html">Touched' female cockroaches reproduce faster</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9v8XWBpnc_o/U0BzVAMt1VI/AAAAAAAAVZk/C2s3fHi3OKM/s1600/touchedfemal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9v8XWBpnc_o/U0BzVAMt1VI/AAAAAAAAVZk/C2s3fHi3OKM/s1600/touchedfemal.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorized tactile stimulation system shows the power supply (right),
controller (center) and 20 Petri dishes mounted on a stepper motor.
Inset shows an isolated female cockroach in a Petri dish with a duck
feather mounted on the rotating motor shaft. Credit: Adrienn Uzsak
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To speed up reproduction, there's no substitute for the tender touch of a live cockroach.
<br />
<div class="article-banner first-banner">
</div>
That's the major takeaway from a North Carolina State
University study examining whether artificial antennae – in this case,
duck feathers – can mimic a cockroach antenna's capacity to hasten <a class="textTag" href="http://phys.org/tags/reproduction/" rel="tag">reproduction</a> in cockroach females.<br />
<br />
Female cockroaches that get "touched" – by other female cockroaches
and, under certain conditions, even by duck feathers that mimic roach
antennae – reproduce faster than female roaches that live in isolation
or without <a class="textTag" href="http://phys.org/tags/tactile+stimulation/" rel="tag">tactile stimulation</a>.<br />
<br />
Pairing two cockroaches together – even roaches of different species – speeds up reproduction the most.<br />
<br />
"To understand the mechanisms behind tactile stimulation and
reproduction, we devised a motor-driven system using duck feathers as
stand-ins for cockroach antennae. We found that these artificial
antennae worked to stimulate certain hormones that speed up reproduction
in the female German cockroach," says Dr. Coby Schal, Blanton J.
Whitmire Professor of Entomology at NC State and the senior author of a
paper describing the research. "We also found that the shape of the
artificial antenna doing the 'touching' and the speed and duration of
the stimulation were key factors that influenced reproduction speed."</blockquote>
<br />
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2014-04-female-cockroaches-faster.html">Read more </a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-78315547609756378392014-03-24T16:04:00.000+00:002014-03-24T16:04:21.508+00:00In The News: Vengeful Taxonomy: Your Chance to Name a New Species of CockroachFrom Entomology Today: <a href="http://entomologytoday.org/2014/03/20/vengeful-taxonomy-your-chance-to-name-a-new-species-of-cockroach/">Vengeful Taxonomy: Your Chance to Name a New Species of Cockroach</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g1V15eKDYu4/UzBXM6lW9CI/AAAAAAAAU3M/rOXfjlRn9fI/s1600/xestoblatta-close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g1V15eKDYu4/UzBXM6lW9CI/AAAAAAAAU3M/rOXfjlRn9fI/s1600/xestoblatta-close.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We’ve recently discovered a new species of cockroach in the genus <em>Xestoblatta</em>. It’s dirty, it’s ugly, it’s smelly, and it needs a name. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As part of our campaign to fund a <a href="https://experiment.com/projects/how-do-tropical-landscapes-drive-insect-evolution" target="_blank">project about how tropical landscapes drive evolution</a>,
we are offering the opportunity for anyone with enough cash to name
this new species. Why would you want to name a down-and-dirty insect
like that? Because it’s the most low-down and dirty of them all!</blockquote>
<a href="http://entomologytoday.org/2014/03/20/vengeful-taxonomy-your-chance-to-name-a-new-species-of-cockroach/">Read More </a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-26002903214965228232014-03-22T14:01:00.003+00:002014-03-22T14:01:44.358+00:00Inverts in the News: Scientists from the Museum of Victoria have rediscovered Australia's longest stick insect near CairnsFrom news.com.au: <a href="http://www.news.com.au/national/rush-hour-the-stories-you-need-to-know-today/story-fncynjr2-1226850968220">Scientists from the Museum of Victoria have rediscovered Australia's longest <b>stick</b> <b>insect</b> near Cairns</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSvdlEil8M8/Uy2XcHWKKrI/AAAAAAAAU2I/SPbHLXAHUrA/s1600/173019-76ddcf24-a8a7-11e3-b49b-c914c517065a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSvdlEil8M8/Uy2XcHWKKrI/AAAAAAAAU2I/SPbHLXAHUrA/s1600/173019-76ddcf24-a8a7-11e3-b49b-c914c517065a.jpg" height="400" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="caption-text">Museum Victoria live exhibits keeper Maik
Fiedel with "Lady Gaga-ntuan", a half a metre long stick insect
rediscovered in rainforest near Cairns.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="caption-text"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Her name is Lady Gaga-ntuan and she was definitely born this way.<br />
<br />
Scientists from the Museum of Victoria have rediscovered<b> Australia’s longest stick</b> insect near Cairns, during an expedition into the rainforest in January, reports the <i>
<a href="http://www.news.com.au/national/rush-hour-the-stories-you-need-to-know-today/story-fncynjr2-1226850968220" target="_blank">Townsville Bulletin</a>
</i>.<br />
<br />
Measuring half a metre long, the insect is
only the third female Gargantuan Stick Insect (Ctenomorpha gargantua)
specimen to ever be found.</blockquote>
<br />
<a href="http://www.news.com.au/national/rush-hour-the-stories-you-need-to-know-today/story-fncynjr2-1226850968220">Read More </a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-61094253030040081272014-03-05T09:00:00.000+00:002014-03-05T09:00:02.410+00:00In the News: Lobster Used to Be ‘The Cockroach of the Sea’ and Only Fed to Servants and CatsFrom FoodBeast: <a href="http://www.foodbeast.com/2014/02/13/oh-lobster-you-so-fancy/">Lobster Used to Be ‘The Cockroach of the Sea’ and Only Fed to Servants and Cats</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2IBjO-ayxGs/UxSepiZyU6I/AAAAAAAAUxE/7MiN2xitiew/s1600/lobster-was-a-sign-of-poverty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2IBjO-ayxGs/UxSepiZyU6I/AAAAAAAAUxE/7MiN2xitiew/s1600/lobster-was-a-sign-of-poverty.jpg" height="374" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When someone says “lobster” some words that might come to mind are <em>delicacy</em>, <em>fancy</em>, <em>luxurious</em> and most dismally, <em>market price</em>.
However, it wasn’t always this way. Formerly regarded as “the cockroach
of the sea” and fed to servants, migrants and even people’s cats,
lobster was the laughing stock of seafood. Regarded as a dish fit only
for the poor, even having lobster shells in your house was looked upon
as a sign of poverty. Yet today lobster is seen as the poshest of the
posh, the cousin of caviar. So, how the hell did this happen?<br />
<br />
It starts with industrialization. When the railways began to expand
across America, transportation managers realized that if no one apart
from people who lived on the coast knew what lobster was, trains could
serve it to inland passengers as if it were a rare, exotic item. This
plan seemed to work as people started demanding lobsters beyond the
railways and it didn’t hurt that around this same time in the late
1800s, chefs discovered lobsters tasted much better when cooked live.
Restaurants, too, got the memo. Then during World War II, lobsters
weren’t rationed like other foods, and so people of all classes began to
eat it and “discover” its deliciousness. By the 1950s, lobster
established itself as a bona fide luxury food item.</blockquote>
<a href="http://www.foodbeast.com/2014/02/13/oh-lobster-you-so-fancy/">Read More</a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-9368446731634970882014-03-04T10:00:00.000+00:002014-03-04T10:00:03.498+00:00In the News: NMSU entomology professor studies cockroach controlFrom the Albuquerque Journal: <a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/354183/biz/nmsu-entomology-professor-studies-cockroach-control.html">NMSU entomology professor studies cockroach control</a><br />
<br /><div class="entry-content">
<div class="p402_premium">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASn4aSd5Zzc/UxSTmoeoL5I/AAAAAAAAUw0/S4y2FU-mfA4/s1600/cock_man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASn4aSd5Zzc/UxSTmoeoL5I/AAAAAAAAUw0/S4y2FU-mfA4/s1600/cock_man.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Thirty years ago, the Turkestan cockroach made its way from Asia to
the U.S., becoming the most common and predominant cockroach in the
Southwest, invading homes, barns and entire apartment complexes. Romero
has been researching this pest for two years, trying to find ways to
control it.<br />
The Turkestan cockroach is a regularly seen in compost piles, leaf
litter, potted plants, sewers, water-meter boxes, hollow block walls and
under broken pavement.<br />
<br />
In the lab, the colonies of Turkestan and other cockroaches, which
are mostly gathered by putting sticky traps around the building or in
the field, are kept in plastic or glass aquarium containers, feeding on
dog food and water. The hundreds of cockroaches stay together inside
cardboard egg cases, scattering as soon as they sense movement.<br />
<br />
Turkestan cockroaches, which Romero has been collecting for three
years, were first reported in California, Texas and Arizona and
reproduce quickly, taking 6 months to grow to adult stage.<br />
<br />
“Unfortunately there is not much information about this cockroach,”
he said. “The most striking fact about Turkestan cockroaches is how well
they have adapted to our climate and dry conditions and also their
presence all year. Turkestan cockroaches also develop much faster than
some other local cockroaches and this explains why they are more
abundant.”</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/354183/biz/nmsu-entomology-professor-studies-cockroach-control.html"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/354183/biz/nmsu-entomology-professor-studies-cockroach-control.html">Read More</a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-76345671044113680582014-03-03T13:55:00.000+00:002014-03-03T13:55:00.469+00:00In the News: How stick insects honed friction to grip without stickingFrom phys.org: <a href="http://phys.org/news/2014-02-insects-honed-friction.html">How stick insects honed friction to grip without sticking</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crdmTBe1W94/UxSJl-TjiyI/AAAAAAAAUwk/s3JeUFVAFYY/s1600/howstickinse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crdmTBe1W94/UxSJl-TjiyI/AAAAAAAAUwk/s3JeUFVAFYY/s1600/howstickinse.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When they're not hanging upside down, stick insects don't need to
stick. In fact, when moving upright, sticking would be a hindrance: so
much extra effort required to 'unstick' again with every step. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<div class="article-banner first-banner">
</div>
<br />
Latest research from Cambridge's Department of Zoology shows
that stick insects have specialised pads on their legs designed to
produce large amounts of friction with very little pressure. When
upright, stick insects aren't sticking at all, but harnessing powerful
friction to ensure they grip firmly without the need to unglue
themselves from the ground when they move. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In a previous study last year, the team discovered that stick insects
have two distinct types of 'attachment footpads' - the adhesive 'toe
pads' at the end of the legs, which are sticky, and the 'heel pads',
which are not sticky at all. The insect uses different pads depending on
direction and terrain. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
By studying the 'heel pads' in more detail, researchers discovered
the insects have developed a way to generate massive friction when
walking upright. They do this through a system of tiny hairs that use
combinations of height and curvature to create a 'hierarchy' of grip,
with the slightest pressure generating very strong friction - allowing
stick insects to grip but not stick.</blockquote>
<br />
<a href="http://phys.org/news/2014-02-insects-honed-friction.html">Read More</a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-5897587719279272942014-02-20T16:52:00.000+00:002014-02-20T16:52:06.872+00:00In the News: Bugbear that saw off the dinosaurs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HN3zczzvpBA/UwYyhkhPDDI/AAAAAAAAUrw/fGhDo1CTo00/s1600/Cockroach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HN3zczzvpBA/UwYyhkhPDDI/AAAAAAAAUrw/fGhDo1CTo00/s1600/Cockroach1.jpg" height="320" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-87484060854281573572014-02-12T12:39:00.000+00:002014-02-12T12:39:00.110+00:00In the News: Cockroaches undergo dialysis to power sensor network for humansFrom Crazy Engineers: <a href="http://www.crazyengineers.com/threads/cockroaches-undergo-dialysis-to-power-sensor-network-for-humans.73112/">Cockroaches undergo dialysis to power sensor network for humans</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45UV8aJifZI/UvjIbqiueDI/AAAAAAAAUm0/cvLhU8J33_I/s1600/cockroach-network.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45UV8aJifZI/UvjIbqiueDI/AAAAAAAAUm0/cvLhU8J33_I/s1600/cockroach-network.jpg" height="320" width="310" /></a></div>
The marriage between electronics and cockroaches isn't incredibly new. Cockroaches have inspired <a class="internalLink" href="http://www.crazyengineers.com/threads/design-of-future-robots-is-inspired-by-cockroach.63490/">new robot designs</a>, acted as your <a class="internalLink" href="http://www.crazyengineers.com/threads/roboroach-cyborg-that-lets-you-control-living-insects-via-smartphone.68469/">remote controlled insects</a> and allowed for <a class="internalLink" href="http://www.crazyengineers.com/threads/robots-learn-their-stealth-mode-antics-from-cockroaches.65874/">stealth-mode antics</a>.
However, a new development at the Osaka University and the Tokyo
University Of Agriculture & Technology aka TUAT allows for creation
of special network of sensors using cockroaches. "What's New?" you may
ask. Well, the sensors mounted on the back of cockroaches are powered by
the cockroaches themselves; eliminating the need of relying on an
external power source.<br />
<br />
The research engineers were able to develop a new kind of fuel cell. The
dimensions of this new fuel cell are 20mm x 15mm - allowing for easy
mounting on the back of the cockroach. Once installed properly, the fuel
cell uses a fluid called 'trehalose' inside cockroach's blood. The
overall system comprises of electrodes, a container for the body fluid
and a very tiny needle that goes into cockroach's body. The inner wall
of the fluid container has a thin membrane for dialysis which allows for
the body fluid to flow inside using diffusion.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.crazyengineers.com/threads/cockroaches-undergo-dialysis-to-power-sensor-network-for-humans.73112/">Read More</a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-5686251224693482712014-02-11T12:26:00.000+00:002014-02-11T12:26:00.601+00:00Lord Howe Island Phasmid film<br />
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The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect, <i>Dryococelus australis</i>, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is known only from Lord Howe Island and Ball’s Pyramid, a volcanic outcrop in the Tasman Sea just 200 m wide at the base. Young nymphs are bright green in colour and become darker as they grow, eventually turning a dark glossy brown or even black. Females are larger than males and can reach 13 cm in length.</div>
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The introduction of predatory black rats to the island by the trading vessel SS Makambo in 1918 led to the extinction of the species on Lord Howe Island, possibly as early as 1920. The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect was considered extinct in 1986; however, a small number of this species had survived on Ball’s Pyramid. Following research in the early 2000s, a pair was taken to begin a captive breeding programme.</div>
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This species is being reared successfully in captivity, and there are plans for a reintroduction to </div>
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Lord Howe Island if the eradication of the rats is successful. </div>
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There is also now an animated film of the story! </div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="275" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/64406273" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe>
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Some things I have written on this species:<br />
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<a href="http://ebaker.me.uk/publication/iucn-species-day-dryococelus-australis">IUCN Species of the Day Page</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/species-of-the-day/biodiversity/endangered-species/dryococelus-australis/index.html">NHM Species of the Day</a>Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-27931561083868158572014-02-10T12:20:00.000+00:002014-02-10T12:39:52.337+00:00In the News: Experts at Glasgow's Botanic Gardens battle to save rare plants from being devoured by stick insects From the Daily Record: <a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/experts-glasgows-botanic-gardens-battle-3127481">Experts at Glasgow's Botanic Gardens battle to save rare plants from being devoured by stick insects</a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6bg_RciIQ5c/Uvi9UiBIz2I/AAAAAAAAUmk/CtzZ98-fryY/s1600/Pic+eds8-1517896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6bg_RciIQ5c/Uvi9UiBIz2I/AAAAAAAAUmk/CtzZ98-fryY/s1600/Pic+eds8-1517896.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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A COLONY of stick insects are eating their way through one of Scotland’s most important collection of plants. </blockquote>
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Gardeners at Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens believe someone keeping stick insects as pets decided to dump them in the glasshouses. </blockquote>
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They have bred rapidly and the bugs are devouring the displays. </blockquote>
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It’s thought there are more than 100 stick insects feasting on rare, valuable and endangered plants and flowers. </blockquote>
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Gardens
curator Steve Herrington said: “We think someone’s got bored with the
stick insects at home and released them into the gardens." </blockquote>
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“They might have thought they would live happily in the warm glasshouses." </blockquote>
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“It might have started with just two or three stick insects. But from there, they’ve become quite a large population." </blockquote>
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“They keep breeding and we can’t find them all."</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/experts-glasgows-botanic-gardens-battle-3127481">Read More</a><br />
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This is a surprisingly common occurrence - here is a <a href="http://phasmid-study-group.org/content/Carausius-morosus-introduced-San-Diego">list of food plants of <i>Carausius morosus</i> when it was introduced into the San Diego Zoo</a>.Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315641042808108165.post-60329797422086215312014-01-23T20:51:00.000+00:002014-01-23T23:14:19.031+00:00In the News: Cockroaches in EarsFrom opposingviews.com: <a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/i/health/doctors-australia-remove-cockroach-man-s-ear-photo#">Doctors in Australia remove cokroach from man's ear</a><br />
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With the pain increasing further, Helmer’s roommate took him to the
Royal Darwin Hospital, where a doctor poured olive oil down his ear
canal. This only forced the roach to crawl in deeper, before it
eventually began to die.</blockquote>
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"Near the 10 minute mark ... somewhere about there, he started to
stop burrowing but he was still in the throes of death twitching,"
Helmer said. </blockquote>
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At this point the doctor put forceps into his ear and pulled out the cockroach. </blockquote>
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“She [the doctor] said, ‘you know how I said a little cockroach? That
may have been an underestimate’,” Helmer told the station. “They said
they had never pulled an insect this large out of someone’s ear.”</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.opposingviews.com/i/health/doctors-australia-remove-cockroach-man-s-ear-photo#">Read More</a><br />
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This might seem an unusual story - but as <a href="http://lrsbeta.afpmb.org/smb/192.168.1.22/pdfs/Archived_3/170001-190000/181610.pdf">Kroukamp & Londt (2006)</a> report in <i>SAMJ Forum</i>, they're more likely than most other arthropods to end up in your ear (at least in South Africa). This paper also includes one of my favourite charts:<br />
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If you get any of these don't try and remove it with a vacuum cleaner. Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14569326774736717270noreply@blogger.com