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Category: Bug of the Week (Page 113 of 218)

Bug of the Week: Cacao Midge

July 31, 2013 / / 0 Comments

We found our bug of the week today from an unusual source, a children’s picture book called No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart, Allen Young and illustrated by Nicole Wong. no-monkeys-no-chocolate(For a full review, see our sister blog, Wrapped In Foil).

You may wonder what a book about chocolate and monkeys has to do with insects. It turns out that cocoa trees grown in open plantations don’t make as many seeds as trees grown under the canopy of the rainforest. When scientists began to tease out the reasons why, they found that cocoa flowers are pollinated by a small fly called the cacao midge. The flowers are highly complex, so not just any insect can do the job. The flowers are also not self-pollinated. That means our chocolate bars and hot chocolate are the direct result of the presence of a tiny fly.

What does this fly look like? I was able to find this video of Mark Moffett (the insect photographer equivalent of Indiana Jones) capturing a photograph of the elusive fly.

Now that we know about the cacao fly, I would say chocolate lovers will definitely want to do everything we can to preserve it!

No Monkeys, No Chocolate, by Melissa Stewart, Allen Young and illustrated by Nicole Wong

Publisher: Charlesbridge Pub Inc (August 2013)
ISBN-10: 1580892876
ISBN-13: 978-1580892872

 
Disclosure: I am an affiliate for Amazon, and if you click through the linked title ad and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Proceeds will be used to maintain this self-hosted blog

Bug of the Week: Cocoon versus Chrysalis

July 25, 2013 / / 0 Comments

In honor of National Moth Week, let’s take a look at a difference between moths and butterflies that confuses people.

Both moths and butterflies go through 4 stages during metamorphosis:  egg, larvae (caterpillar), pupa and adult. The eggs and larvae of butterflies and moths aren’t all that much different, but the pupa and adult stages do show distinct differences.

A moth larva that pupates above the ground often weaves a silk bag around itself called a “cocoon” before it pupates. Then it changes inside the bag (cocoon), forming a brown, stubby pupa.

cocoon-vs-chrysalis

The butterfly larva forms a pupa that may be colorful or uniquely shaped compared to the drab brown pupa of the moth. The butterfly pupa is therefore often called a chrysalis or chrysalid.

For more information, we discussed the moth life cycle in an earlier post.

These days there are plastic models to help children identify the stages (see disclosure about links to Amazon).

luna-moth-life-cycle-safari

Safari Ltd Life Cycle of a Luna Moth Science Kit See how the cocoon has been opened to show the luna moth pupa inside?

butterfly-life-cycle

Butterfly Life Cycle Stages Characters, Plastic – 4 Piece Set; no. ILP4760

These would be fun to accompany a trip to a butterfly garden or pavilion.

Have you ever found a cocoon?

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Disclosure:

I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

 

 

Observing National Moth Week

July 21, 2013 / / 2 Comments

This week we are excited to observe National Moth Week, which runs from July 20- 28, 2013. The website has links to many local events, so see what is happening in your area.

Why moths? Moths are often ignored in favor of their more-brightly colored and day-flying relatives, the butterflies, yet they are more numerous and ecologically diverse. Many are just a beautiful as butterflies, they are simply harder to spot. According to the news release:

National Moth Week literally shines a much-needed spotlight on moths and their ecological importance as well as their biodiversity. The event allows people of all ages to become “citizen scientists” and contribute scientific data about moths they observe in their own communities. Participating in National Moth Week can be as simple as turning on a porch light at night and watching what happens, or going outside in daylight to find caterpillars and diurnal moths, often mistaken for butterflies.

How do you tell a butterfly from a moth?  Sometimes they look alike and children (and some adults) may not have a clear understanding of what separates the two. Here are two picture books for the youngest reader that will help:

whats-the-dif

What’s the Difference Between a Butterfly and a Moth? (What’s the Difference? (Capstone)) by Robin Michal Koontz and illustrated by Bandelin-Dacey (2009) is a beautifully-illustrated picture book that answers the question clearly for children in grades K-3. (Google books has a preview). It also would be useful for units on life cycles.

butterfly-or-moth

Butterfly or Moth?: How Do You Know? (Which Animal Is Which?) by Melissa Stewart (2011) uses color photographs to explores the same question. (Google books also has a preview). For example, by asking, “Knobs or no knobs?” Stewart points out that butterflies often have knobs on the tips of their antennae, whereas moths often have feathery antennae.

moth-childrens-books

A great way to celebrate National Moth Week is to pick up a book and learn more about them. See a whole list of children’s books about butterflies and moths at Science Books for Kids, including some for older children. The list has been updated and expanded from last year.

Finally, if you know a child who is interested in moths, check the free moth coloring book to print out.

How are you observing National Moth Week? If you would like to, please let us know how you are participating.

 

Note: Linked titles go to Amazon for further information and reviews. Just so you know, I am an affiliate with Amazon. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you, the proceeds of which will help pay for maintaining this website.

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