Leaf-cutting Ants Essay

The Red Invasive Fire Ants (R.I.F.A) are known for their aggressive behavior toward anyone or anything that disturbs their food sources. They can damage equipments and structures of buildings. The red invasive fire ants was unintentionally introduced into the United States in 1929, after when a cargo ship used soil as ballast in Mobile, Alabama, from South America. They were originated in the lowland areas of South America, primarily Brazil and Argentina. In 1998, the red fire ants have covered 50 square miles and yet they invaded homes, school yards, athletic fields, golf courses, and parks.

The creosote bush grasshopper has a simple body. It has a rounded head capsule which contains the compound eyes, chewing mouth parts, and the short thread-like antennae, which are always shorter than the rest of body (Estella, 2009). The middle thoracic segments and part of the abdomen are covered by a type of hard shield called a pronotum which extends from the first thoracic segment. The forewings are leathery but they are not used for flight. Instead, they protect the delicate hind wings. They also have long jumping hind legs, which enable them to leap well over 20 times their body length (Anonymous, 2015).

The Tamandua Mexicana is a medium-sized anteater with a prehensile(capable of grasping) tail, small eyes and ears, and a long snout. The anteaters can weigh from 7.1lbs to 11.9lbs. Their typical size can range from 102 to 130 centimeters. The anteaters type of symmetry is Bilateral. (which is the same on both sides) Their fur is pale over most of the body except on the upper half of the body where there is a black shaped vest.

They were believed to have come from South America to Texas aboard a cargo ship in the 1930s and since then they have expanded their territory to 27 counties in Texas. Crazy ants are more mobile and more destructive than fire ants and unlike fire ants, who tend to stay in their mounds unless disturbed, they seek out and nest in any available cavity they can find. They nest by the millions in air conditioners, cars, fuse boxes and pipes. In fact, they are often responsible for short-circuits in the wiring of homes and businesses which can present a serious fire

Now this may not seem like a long time but traveling at an average of 55 mph this adds up to traveling a little over 100 yards.

After looking at all our data from the 2-liter traps and the two pitfall traps, we discovered that there were two beetles at the beech tree for every one beetle at the magnolia tree. While there were three earthworms at the beech tree for every two at the magnolia tree. There were too many ants so we decided to cap off the ant count to 125 for both the beech tree and magnolia tree. We predicted that the insects would be more attracted to the magnolia tree because, the beech tree was in a central location of the trail and it has more interaction with humans on normal occasion, thus interfering with the insects. ,but our hypothesis is wrong.

Apis mellifera scutellata is cross between a European bee and an African bee, also known as the “Africanized Honey Bee”, or even the “Killer Bee.” It is very similar in appearance to a typical European bee, but is slightly smaller in size, though microscopically so. The differences between the European bee and the Africanized Honey Bee are exemplified primarily through behavior and biological patterns. Africanized Honey Bees are much more prolific than European bees, reproducing up to six times more yearly than European bees. The main difference between the Africanized Honey Bee and a European bee is that Africanized bees are far more aggressive than European bees, and are more protective of their nests. The willingness of Africanized bees to attack unprovoked has earned them the nickname “Killer Bees.”

In 2012, 16259 people in the United States were murdered and another 1.8 million people were sent to the hospital due to assault. Humans resorting to violence and harming others is a daily occurrence, but why? Is it in our nature, are we instinctively violent, and why is it that these acts are not only happening in the United States but worldwide. Although the average person does not leave their home planning on harming somebody that day, under the right circumstances almost every single person in this world will commit an act of violence. Sometimes these acts are justified, such as when we are trying to protect ourselves or a loved one, but what about the smaller acts that we all do every day.

Steyskal, G. C., Murphy, W. L., & Hoover, E. M. (1986). Insects and mites: techniques for collection and preservation. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural research.

Feral European honey bee colonies are widespread, though patchily distributed over the Australian mainland. They are found in a broad range of environments - in urban areas, rainforests, coastal heaths, and farming and grazing land. Feral honey bees are present in all states and territories but are largely absent from alpine areas and from arid inland areas away from water. There is limited valid information regarding the number of feral honey bee colonies.

Florida's 32 different species of ants are also the most common house pest, ranging from

The Ant Mimic Spider is a distinctly patterned wandering hunter, catching prey at night and during the day. Their movements often mimic the carpenter ant, earning them the nickname

An invasive species is any kind of living organism that is not native to an ecosystemand usually causes harm to the ecosystem (National Wildlife Federation, 2014). Native species have not coevolved with the invasive species and may not have the ability to deal with the introduced species (Holway et al. 2002). The Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) is a relatively aggressive species of ant native to South America. It was introduced on multiple occasions into the United States in the early- to mid-1900s (Callcott et al. 1996). Since then, it has spread to the very borders of its geographical climate tolerance, and through acclimation, hybridization, and the effects of global climate change, has managed to extend its range much farther than experts ever anticipated. It is now the subject of much research, as it has impacted not only ecological communities but the agricultural economy as well. It is estimated that RIFA have an impact of around $6 billion a year due to control, medical treatment, and damage to property (Lard et al. 2006). Agriculturally, Red Imported Fire Ants can cause financial damages in a number of different ways including eating various parts of the plant or causing the disruption of machinery. (Collins and Scheffrahn, Last Accessed 2014)

It’s getting warmer, and besides the good things that come with summer, don’t forget about ants. These hard-working animals can be really annoying when appearing at your house in high number. However, you can quickly get rid of them with the help of the homemade ant repellent we present here.

The Bee Wolf is a member of the insect family. They are classified as the philanthus trianglium, and are related to the sphecoid wasp. They are widespread through the northern hemisphere, though are rare due to natural fluctuations, because of this the bee wolf reproduces only twice a year. They are both very similar and very different then the common honey bee. For example, when it comes to home, the honey bee lives in a hive with thousands of other honey bees, including the queen, which all of the other bees serve. However the bee wolfs home is a tunnel, some reaching to a meter long; this is not only his home, but other bees that are brought into the tunnels, which are going to be eaten. The bee wolf does not work in groups; they all work