Kids Ask Dr. Bug
about the curious things found in the garden Why didn’t all the insects die in the winter? There is a lot to cover with this question: insect life cycles, migration, niches, and survival strategies. Just like the larger animal wildlife we have in the Midwest – squirrels,
March 2022 | kcgmag.com
way than other animals to get oxygen throughout their bodies that works because of their small size and wouldn’t work if they were bigger. Larger animals breathe air into their lungs, and then their blood carries oxygen throughout
Next time there is snow, look closely for tiny, jumping black specks. These are springtails, called snow fleas, that are only found when there is snow on the ground. rabbits, eagles, foxes, bears, turtles, and many more – insects survive the bitter cold using many of the same strategies that bigger animals use: find shelter, store food or fat stores, or hibernate/diapause. You won’t find insects flying around when it is much below 40oF as they are cold-blooded, and they aren’t able to move when it is cold, with a few exceptions. Some insects complete their life cycle each year with the seasons and die in late autumn. We may only see certain life stages, such as the adults flying around in the summer. However, they overwinter in protected places as eggs, nymphs, larvae, pupae, or adults. The protected places may be in the ground, under leaf litter, under tree bark, or in your house, depending on
TAMRA REALL Horticulture Specialist 4
the insect, what their needs are, and how they have evolved to live in the environment. Some insects can’t overwinter here because it is too cold for them, but the species can survive in warmer states. So those insects may migrate to Mis-
(Image: BlenderTime from Pixabay)
Bugs creep me out! Why should I be nice to them? Alien-looking bodies, freaky behaviors, found nearly everywhere especially when you are least expecting it, disease vectors, six legs, camouflage, metamorphosis – these are reasons why insects have been the main characters of some horror movies and nightmares. The unknown and unfamiliar can make things seem scary. Sometimes the battle is very real such as when termites infest a home or insect pests devour crops. However, their strange characteristics are also why insects and other arthropods are so fascinating and a source of inspiration. We have so much to learn from them! In fact, scientists and engineers study insects to help us develop new technologies, such as energy efficiency, flying and wingfolding behaviors, antibacterial strategies, material strengthening abilities, rough terrain maneuverability, and visual processing and guidance for self-driving cars. Insects are an essential part of the ecosystem as well. Insects are hugely responsible for the pollination of most plants so plants can reproduce which also provides food for us and other animals. Insects themselves are a source of food for many animals. Insects break down dead plant and animal matter which cycles nutrients. Insects play an important role in many parts of our lives even though we don’t think about or realize it. While I’ve listed a lot of things that insects do for us, perhaps this shouldn’t be the most important reason to be nice to them. As fellow species on this planet, we should be willing to share the space and be stewards in those areas we can help. Instead of disgust, we could look at the complexity of insects with awe and appreciation.
souri when it warms up. Some insects, like honey bees, store food in their hive and huddle together to stay warm during the cold months. A unique strategy used by some insects, such as the snow flea, to survive freezing temperatures is by adding an antifreeze effect to their bodies to prevent them from freezing. In fact, warm temperatures may be what does them in.
the body. Insects do not have lungs or veins. Oxygen enters their body through holes in their abdomen called spiracles and then travels through tiny tubes called the trachea. Higher oxygen concentrations might make it possible for air to travel farther, and insects could then be larger… but then they might not fit into all those nooks and crannies as easily!
Why are insects so small? There are a lot of advantages to being small: fitting into small spaces, fitting more individuals into larger spaces, less food required to survive, and large predators are less likely to see you. Insects benefit from these characteristics to inhabit almost every habitat on earth. Additionally, they have a different
Do you have questions about bugs found in your garden for Dr. Bug? Send them to ReallT@ Missouri.edu or bit.ly/KidsAskDrBug. Include your name and age. To help me learn what you learn from this monthly column, would you please consider filling out this survey: bit.ly/KidsAskDrBugSurvey. Thank you!
Dr. Tamra Reall (@MUExtBugN Garden) is the horticulture specialist for MU Extension in Jackson County. For free, research-based gardening tips, call 816-833-TREE (8733), email mggkc.hotline@gmail.com, or visit www.extension2.missouri.edu.
