Stonetribe Posted June 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 I feel like doing a little "mini highlight" on a behavior a number of ant species possess.Humans aren't the only creatures on this earth that are known to domesticate and raise other animals. Believe it or not, many species of ants also have their own farms, and the livestock is in the form of aphids! Let me spell it out for you. Ants are always wandering around, foraging for food to bring back to their colony. If an ant comes across a group of aphids, she well excitedly rush back to the colony to share this news. Before long she returns with a bunch of her sisters. You see, aphids secrete a sugary substance known as honeydew. Ants always love sweet foods, so they are naturally all over the scene. They however, go the extra mile and take the aphids in as their own. The ants can prompt aphids to release honeydew by strokeing their backs with their antennae. If the plant that the aphids are feeding on goes dry or starts to decay, the ants will escort the aphids to a new one in order to keep them healthy and keep production up. They will also protect their aphids from "cattle raiders". Like the ladybug for instance. Though it is often seen as an innocent creature in our eyes, to aphids, they are actually very ruthless predators! But with a team of ants on the aphids side, they don't stand a chance.Here's a video showcasing this example of insects besting humans yet again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosewind Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 I have sad news to report. Saucy passed away last night. I have no idea why she died. Like any good amazon warrior spider, she left a pile of her victims under her web.I would like to request a spotlight on barn spiders, in her honor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaucySpider Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 SAUCY NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh wait, I'm still alive. I will definitely miss the updates on Saucy. R.I.P. Saucy, (?-2012) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuskShine Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 I love spiders! As long as they aren't crawling on me, but I don't like being touched either. My favorite are probably orb weavers. So many different kinds and very unique and artistic webs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonetribe Posted June 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 I have sad news to report. Saucy passed away last night. I have no idea why she died. Like any good amazon warrior spider, she left a pile of her victims under her web.I would like to request a spotlight on barn spiders, in her honor.I would be humbled Rose.I love spiders! As long as they aren't crawling on me, but I don't like being touched either. My favorite are probably orb weavers. So many different kinds and very unique and artistic webs.Oh hey, I remember you from the introductions section. Glad to see ya here Dusk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cainiam Posted June 19, 2012 Report Share Posted June 19, 2012 "HQ! HQ! The nest is just too full of bugs! We're all gonna die if we don't get out of here!" I swear I play way too much EDF 2017, best game ever. Every time you mention ants I can't help but think of those giant acid-spitting monstrosities walking all over Tokyo.I'd heard about aphid farming, but I didn't know about their ability to maximise efficiency by moving them around! I was just learning about innate behaviour and fixed action patterns in biology. It's astounding to think that all of these behavioural quirks are pre-programmed from birth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireheart Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 I have sad news to report. Saucy passed away last night. I have no idea why she died. Like any good amazon warrior spider, she left a pile of her victims under her web.I would like to request a spotlight on barn spiders, in her honor. R.I.P. Dear saucy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonetribe Posted June 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 In honor of Rosewinds beloved spider, Saucy, I present to you, the Barn Spider.Barn Spiders aren't the most distuingishable of spiders, but common patterns include striped legs and variations of two markings on the underside of its abdomen, which is rather big in comparison to the rest of it's body. Barn Spiders are Orb-weavers and spin the trademark spiral spider webs that arachnids are renowned for. In addition to any suitable tree branches they might find, they are commonly known to set up camp in various human structures such as portches, in ceiling corners, and as the name suggests, Barns. They are nocturnal hunters, sitting in the center of their webs during the night in wait of prey and usually retreat to a nearby crevice to hide in during the day. When they suspect something other than food has fallen into their webs, such as fallen debris, they will investegate by bounceing up in down in their webs in order to safely identify the object. They will also do this if disturbed or agitated in an attempt to appear bigger or to scare of a possible threat with the sudden motions. Should a barn spider bite a human for any reason, he or she has nothing to fear as their venom poses no threat to us. Like almost every other spider, they are very benifcial to us as they do an excellent job of pest control, and should be nothing short of welcomed in our homes.There you are Rosewind, I hope this highlight was high enough quality to honor the dear spider it was writen for. RIP Saucy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosewind Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 RIP Saucy. *salutes*She was an extremely good hunter though, she took many insects down with her as she made her way to Bug Valhalla. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonetribe Posted June 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Indulge me rosewind, did you notice any consistencys or differences my highlight might have had compared to your first hand observations with Saucy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancre Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Rest in peace, saucy. And I loved that update on ant herders ! I had a video game about ants once upon a time, where you would build an ant colony. It was awesome. You would dig tunnels, make specialised rooms, gather resources, protect your workers from big bugs with your ant army, and then conquer the world or something. I wish I could find it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosewind Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Indulge me rosewind, did you notice any consistencys or differences my highlight might have had compared to your first hand observations with Saucy?You forgot to include how awesome barn spiders are. Because Saucy was pure awesome on a web. Seriously I've never seen a spider dispatch so many insects in such a short time period. Do you think she died from overindulgence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonetribe Posted June 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 You forgot to include how awesome barn spiders are. Because Saucy was pure awesome on a web. Seriously I've never seen a spider dispatch so many insects in such a short time period. Do you think she died from overindulgence?I would think frequent food supply would promote a spiders lifespan if anything. I ment my highlight to be of a some what solem tone as to respect the spider who passed that it was writen for. I suppose that now it would be appropriate to say that the barn spider is the same kind of spider in Charlotte's web. You know, that one spider, oh, what was it's name again, ah yes, Freaking Charlotte herself! I'll admit, I'm not all that familiar with the story, but I am fond of how it was able to make something like a spider endearing to children. It's not often enough that things like spiders are made out to be the stuff of comfort. How's that for how barn spiders are awesome? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosewind Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 I think your spotlight did Saucy full justice. There will never be another spider quite like her.The Brookfield Zoo 'round here is pressing a new bug exhibit. They have signs all over the place for it, and each time it reminds me of you.Also I had to pick this up at the store the other day:What have you done to me?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhyphte Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 I can't hold claim to liking insects in general, but when I was a kid, my little brother and my cousin would take delight in grabbing fireflies and smearing their flourescent innards all over their arms. It pissed me off and disgusted me, quite a bit actually, so I made them stop. I can't say I'm proud of exactly how I approached the situation, but then again, I was only a kid at the time.I still can't stand people who kill things for pleasure, especially when the creature is smaller and/or means no harm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteSlash Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 I dont hate bugs. But I have an extreme fear of pretty much any insect D: It kinda sucks, though if one appears I wont kill it, I will try and get it to leave though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrescentBlaze Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 stoney I have to thank you! seriously so before this thread I was all "I will never touch a tarantula to big for me dude, or millipedes or any of those crazy critters people keep as pets" well since this thread Ive kinda gotten over that fear and It landed me a job at a pet store the guys asked if there were any animals I didnt feel comfortable working with and I said no. He asked "not even spiders and junk?" I replied no again and he said "Well that settles it. If you can handle insects you got the job. No one else here wants to do it" It was fantastic. Thanks again grand bugmaster stonetribe. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonetribe Posted June 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 stoney I have to thank you! seriously so before this thread I was all "I will never touch a tarantula to big for me dude, or millipedes or any of those crazy critters people keep as pets" well since this thread Ive kinda gotten over that fear and It landed me a job at a pet store the guys asked if there were any animals I didnt feel comfortable working with and I said no. He asked "not even spiders and junk?" I replied no again and he said "Well that settles it. If you can handle insects you got the job. No one else here wants to do it" It was fantastic. Thanks again grand bugmaster stonetribe. Oh man, I never would of thought sharing my afinity with bugs could influence someone else's life like that. I feel proud of you as well as myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonetribe Posted June 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 I was gonna do a highlight on the Amazonian Giant Centipede, but then I found this little cutie, so I told her that I decided to hold off on her highlight until next time.She was not happy about it. The Centipede recommended I start sleeping with a gun under my pillow, and I complied.I'll have to deal with that later though. Fillies and gentlecolts, put your hooves together for the Velvet worm!Lets see, where to start... The Velvet Worm is a minor ecdysozoan phylum, which includes centipedes and millipedes, although they seem to have much more common in appearance to caterpillars or slugs. Velvet Worms are commonly found in cool and humid areas such as in rotting logs or under rocks throughout South America, Africa, and Australia. Size can be anywhere from half a centimeter in length to a whooping eight inches. Their main method of navigation is their antennae, which they use to probe and feel about their surroundings to better understand it. They are nocturnal hunters, and eat anything that's smaller or as big as itself. Thanks to their soft bodies and fluid locomotion, they can move about in search of prey while remaining undetected. Since they find prey through means of touch, they have to act quickly before it is alerted to their presence. Here's the cool part. Once a suitable meal has been found, they shoot twin steams of sticky slime from special glands to immobilize it! To the victim, it's like having heavy adhesive chains thrown on them. While their prey is anchored to the ground and helpless, the velvet worm uses its fangs to inject saliva which soon kills it's victim. Velvet worms are also social to an extent. Velvet Worms living in the same log form a pack of sorts, usually with the biggest female as the leader. Since females are naturally aggressive to each other, Velvet Worm communities usually only consist of one. When food is available, they use a pecking order of sorts. The biggest female will eat first, followed by the males, and then the young.Here is a video showing their amazing hunting method. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocoswirl Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Cool!There's one bug that I find particularly interesting. I watched a vid about it, and it's called the Emerald Cockroach Wasp. Dunno if you discussed this already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonetribe Posted June 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Cool!There's one bug that I find particularly interesting. I watched a vid about it, and it's called the Emerald Cockroach Wasp. Dunno if you discussed this already.Oh hey, I remember you from the introductions page. Welcome to the bugmaster's lair. Glad to see your enjoying yourself here. We have not discussed any emerald cockroach wasps, but if you'd like, I'd be more than happy to do a highlight on them for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocoswirl Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 I'm glad to be here! :3Really? That'd be awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosewind Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Velvet worms are cute! I like how they have a strict matriarchy too! Girl worms are best worms!That video! How they walk is SO cool! What a neat ...is it really an insect? More than six legs, yanno! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonetribe Posted June 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 That video! How they walk is SO cool! What a neat ...is it really an insect? More than six legs, yanno!Their definitely not insects, no. But they are arthropods, and any arthropod is a bug in my book.Velvet worms are cute! I like how they have a strict matriarchy too! Girl worms are best worms!Pfft, try telling that to the the centipede. Cost me an arm and a leg that's what that did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaucySpider Posted June 25, 2012 Report Share Posted June 25, 2012 Woah...so many legs...very interesting inded bugmaster Stone.Could be Saucier though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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