Infinitely Incredible Insects

Infinitely Incredible Insects...and little Irishmen in spring green

I love insects, their diverse colors, shapes and alien appearances. I really love to photograph them, and am always trying to improve my insect photography skills. I am so looking forward to Spring and Summer…Insect Season.

There are an estimated 10 quintillion insects alive on our planet (that number should make you feel better about CDS and Budget Deficits). There are over 1 million known species, with many experts thinking there might be as many as 10 million. Insects are Arthropods, divided into 32 Orders. The largest Order is Coleoptera(beetles). Approximately 1 in 4 animals on Earth is a beetle.

Scientists estimate that 10% of the annual biomass on the planet is made up of ants, with another 10% made up of termites. Some 20% of the Earth’s annual biomass is in social insects…maybe we could learn something from them.

Insects are found pretty much everywhere, even the extremes of the Arctic and Antarctic. They are in the soil, air, water, plants, on and in the bodies of animals, even you. They are not commonly found in oceans.

Insects are important in the decomposition of plants and animals. They are a major foodsource for many animals.

Insects are not “bugs”, although “true bugs” are insects comprising some 35,000 species of the Order Hemiptera.

Some other Interesting Insect Information…Painted Lady Butterflies migrate over 3000 miles from Africa to England. Desert Locusts travel about 2800 miles, and our well-known Monarch Butterflies migrate over 2000 miles from Canada to Central Mexico. These Monarchs can travel over 600 miles without stopping. The oldest insect fossil is a 390 million year old “bristletail”. The oldest butterfly fossils are from the Cretaceous (dinosaur) Period…about 130 million years ago. The largest insect fossil is of a prehistoric dragonfly with a wingspan of 30 inches on an 18 inch body. Would that not be cool to have those flying about your pond? We would have to wear helmets. The largest, currently living insects are the Great Walking Sticks. Record specimens of some 22 inches have been found in Malaysia.

In summary…when the warm months ahead seem all too “buggy”, and the gnats, no-see-ums, and skeeters seem too much to bear, remember that without insects, without the bees to pollinate our fruits and veggies, without all the myriad of beneficial things that insects do…we simply could not survive.

Insect Haiku

Summer dreams will fly

Free on Odonata wings

Wake from winter sleep.

Peace and blessings on this fine St. Patrick’s Day…

Please click on the pictures to enlarge...

little Irishmen in spring green

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. May God be with you and bless you: May you see your children's children. May you be poor in misfortune, Rich in blessings. May you know nothing but happiness From this day forward. May the road rise up to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home And may the hand of a friend always be near. May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you, May pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you.

I am participating in Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday. You should check it out!