Naturalist Notes: Insect M.A.S.H.
Did you ever play that M.A.S.H. game when you were younger? The one that predicted your future, including what kind of house you’d have: mansion, apartment, shack, or house. I wonder if insects played that game, what their choices would be? Insects employ a variety of strategies to create homes to survive and thrive in diverse environments, from not really constructing a home, to living in colonies, to carrying their home around with them. All of them serve a purpose, from being a place to lay eggs to protecting the insect from predators and harsh weather.
Butterflies, unlike many other insects, do not construct permanent homes. Instead, they seek temporary shelter in the natural environment. When resting or avoiding predators and harsh weather, butterflies often hide on the undersides of leaves. This behavior provides them with protection and camouflage, as the leaf cover shields them from rain and predators while helping them blend into the greenery. Additionally, the underside of a leaf can offer a cooler, more humid microclimate, which is beneficial for their delicate bodies. This strategy allows butterflies to use their environment effectively without expending energy on building structures, showcasing their reliance on natural refuges for survival.
Ant colony creations are astonishing feats of engineering and social organization. These colonies can extend deep underground, featuring intricate networks of tunnels and chambers used for nurseries, food storage, and housing for the queen and workers. Some species build impressive mound structures above ground, which serve as ventilation systems and temperature regulators. Some ants, for example, cultivate fungal gardens within their nests, meticulously cutting and transporting food to feed their fungal crops. The coordination and teamwork involved in constructing and maintaining these colonies reflect the highly developed social structure and communication skills of ants, making their colonies a marvel of the natural world.
Carpenter bee tunnels are fascinating examples of insect engineering. These bees use their strong mandibles to bore into wood, creating tunnels that can be several inches long. Each tunnel typically includes a series of individual brood cells, meticulously partitioned with pollen to feed their larvae. The precision and efficiency with which carpenter bees excavate their nests are remarkable, as they can selectively choose softer woods and create near-perfect cylindrical passageways. These tunnels not only provide secure, insulated environments for their young but also demonstrate the impressive adaptability and craftsmanship of these solitary bees.
Caddisfly cases are remarkable examples of natural construction and camouflage. These aquatic larvae craft portable homes using materials like sand, gravel, twigs, and leaves, binding them together with silk produced from their salivary glands. The resulting cases offer protection from predators and environmental hazards while blending seamlessly into their surroundings. The variety and intricacy of these cases, which can resemble tiny log cabins or stone houses, highlight the caddisfly's resourcefulness and adaptability. This is also how you can identify different caddisfly species, from the materials they use to create their cases. Observing the diverse designs of caddisfly cases provides a glimpse into the incredible ingenuity of these insects and their interactions with their habitats.
If you want to learn more about insects and their homes, join us for Bugging Out on June 29th from 1 PM to 3 PM to become a bug hotel architect! Discover the fascinating world of bug behavior and ecology while you create, with expert guidance from Oakland University's PhD candidate Danielle Dorsen. Don't miss out on this fun and exciting series! Click the link to register: https://schoolfarm.doubleknot.com/event/bugging-out/3052300
Submitted by naturalist Cathy Wesley, June 2024