People tend to find fewer insects smashed on the windscreens of their cars now compared to a decade or several decades ago. This is called the windshield phenomenon.
insects
300 million years ago…
300 million years ago insects could get really big. Millipedes and centipedes could get larger than humans, dragonflies as big as eagles, beatles the size of a large dog.The leading theory is that ancient bugs got big because they benefited from a surplus of oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere. And the leading theory on why there was so much O2 is that trees were new on the scene and were able to grow because of lignin. But lignin could not be consumed by anything in that era so trees kept putting oxygen in the atmosphere but didn’t “balance the books” by releasing CO2 when they died.
They also believe this process led to the greatest mass extinction on the planet.
In 2004, to study the declining insect population…
In 2004, to study the declining insect population, almost 40,000 UK drivers affixed a “splatometer” to the front of their cars. The results found one squashed insect per 5 miles driven, contrasting with summers of 30 years ago when windshields would quickly become encrusted with tiny bodies.
Crickets have twice the amount of protein…
Crickets have twice the amount of protein ounce for ounce than beef, and three times the amount of iron.
There is a bug that evolved to have…
There is a bug that evolved to have actual mechanical gears.
Ants form a daisy chain to maximize their…
Ants form a daisy chain to maximize their strength and take home dinner.
Bilateral gynandromorphism is when a species is born with part female…
Bilateral gynandromorphism is when a species is born with part female and part male bodies. It can be found in birds, crustaceans, Arachnids and most commonly – insects.
The Hercules beetle, despite weighing only 100 grams…
The Hercules beetle, despite weighing only 100 grams, can lift 8 kilograms, making it one of the proportionally strongest animals in the world.
Think your husband is delicious? Well…
Think your husband is delicious? Well, Praying Mantis’ do! After a female and a male mate, the female eats the male. They first bite the head off and eat it completely.
Japanese Honey Bees defend against Japanese Giant Hornets by…
Japanese Honey Bees defend against Japanese Giant Hornets by surrounding the hornet and vibrating, generating heat, virtually cooking the hornet to death.