Insects
One of the hardest group of living things for us to understand is insects. They are known for being small, having short lifespans (relative to our own), and being an incredibly diverse group. Aside from the first two, there are not a lot of things that apply to all insects. Insects eat a variety of different foods, move around in one of many different ways, have different anatomies, and have different social dynamics.
In terms of diet, insects may eat decomposing material (dead plants/animals), living plants or animals (often taking a small amount of nutrients, like how a mosquito will take a little bit of blood), other insects, or waste products left behind by other organisms. What they eat often defines their relationship with humans: insects that eat large amounts of farmed food are seen as “pests”, or having a negative impact on or relationship with humans. Those that eat from live flowers (without consuming much of the plant, just taking their nectar or other products) help pollinate these and other plants, seen as a positive act. Some eat other insects, which is often seen as positive, especially when they eat insects that are considered pests.
Insects move around in several different ways. Walking, swimming, flying, jumping, and even just floating with the wind. Some may even be walkers in the first stages of life and grow into flying insects for later parts of their life. They can even adapt the way they move in situations where they lose a limb (mostly for those that walk, but occasionally for the flyers and swimmers). Different anatomies determine their movement: if they have wings, they will often be flying insects; if they have legs, they are able to walk (sometimes in addition to the other forms of movement).
Social behavior between insects is limited, and some types have contact only for mating (or as a random occurrence). Even parent to child, there is often no interaction or contact. Honey bees are well known for their “dance language” where they communicate (through dancing) a location of interest, like a good flower for nectar, and how far away it is. Still, honey bees (and other species of bees) sometimes lay eggs and in a nest and store food in it but never see their offspring.
While out along trails, you may encounter several types of insects, even in just one trip. If the organism isn’t interacting with you at all, it’s best to leave it be: they may be performing a key function for the ecosystem. Not all insects are bad, and (surprisingly) many provide benefits for nature and for humans.
In terms of diet, insects may eat decomposing material (dead plants/animals), living plants or animals (often taking a small amount of nutrients, like how a mosquito will take a little bit of blood), other insects, or waste products left behind by other organisms. What they eat often defines their relationship with humans: insects that eat large amounts of farmed food are seen as “pests”, or having a negative impact on or relationship with humans. Those that eat from live flowers (without consuming much of the plant, just taking their nectar or other products) help pollinate these and other plants, seen as a positive act. Some eat other insects, which is often seen as positive, especially when they eat insects that are considered pests.
Insects move around in several different ways. Walking, swimming, flying, jumping, and even just floating with the wind. Some may even be walkers in the first stages of life and grow into flying insects for later parts of their life. They can even adapt the way they move in situations where they lose a limb (mostly for those that walk, but occasionally for the flyers and swimmers). Different anatomies determine their movement: if they have wings, they will often be flying insects; if they have legs, they are able to walk (sometimes in addition to the other forms of movement).
Social behavior between insects is limited, and some types have contact only for mating (or as a random occurrence). Even parent to child, there is often no interaction or contact. Honey bees are well known for their “dance language” where they communicate (through dancing) a location of interest, like a good flower for nectar, and how far away it is. Still, honey bees (and other species of bees) sometimes lay eggs and in a nest and store food in it but never see their offspring.
While out along trails, you may encounter several types of insects, even in just one trip. If the organism isn’t interacting with you at all, it’s best to leave it be: they may be performing a key function for the ecosystem. Not all insects are bad, and (surprisingly) many provide benefits for nature and for humans.
