Speaking Without Words

By Anonymous -

Chemical Communication


When talking about insect communication and chemical signaling, it is important to know the two types of chemical signals: interspecific chemicals and intraspecific chemicals. Interspecific chemical signaling is when different species can communicate to one another, but intraspecific chemical signals only allow communication within a certain species.

Intraspecific

Intraspecific chemical signaling allows members within a species to communicate to one another as they go about their daily lives. Communication is important in the lives of insects, and there are many different reasons why insects use chemical signals. Intraspecific signals are used for locating members of the opposite sex for mating, giving directions for food, warnings for danger and communicating position. For instance, ants are very well known for their good communication. They use chemical signals to help find food, defend against attackers to their colony and protect and tend to the queen. Scientists at Arizona State University have even gone as far to call some colonies of ants ‘super organisms,’ for they work and communicate so well together, that it almost seems as if they all have one mind.

 http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2279/2665934826_569d0f9386.jpg

Although, just because a chemical signal is intraspecific to one species, that does not prevent another species from picking up the signal. There is a masterful concept known as Interspecific chemical signaling which picks up where this one leaves off...

Interspecific

Interspecific chemical communication between organisms are broken down into two main categories: Allomones and Kairomones. What, and what?!
Allomones, meaning “excite others” in Greek, are chemicals released by an organism that will induce a response by an individual of another species. Their response is completely and adaptively favorable to the emitter organism and many examples are along the lines of defense secretions! One great example is a neotropical social wasp (Mischocyttarus drewseni) and the way they apply a secretion to the stem of its nest that repels foraging ants. The ant senses the chemical and knows they are not welcomed there, so they turn away.
Ohhh okay, so is that like when a skunk sprays near me and I turn away? YES.

 http://mathcatcher.irmacs.sfu.ca/sites/mathcatcher.irmacs.sfu.ca/files/imagecache/enlargement/images/stories/small_number_skunk_spray.jpg

Kairomones, meaning “opportunistic” or “exploitative” in Greek, are chemicals released by an organism that will induce a response to an individual of another species. This response is completely and adaptively favorable to the recipient organism and these commonly exudate from warm-blooded animals. Some great examples of kairomones include: when humans sweat—lactic acid is released into the air and mosquitoes (especially Aedes aegyptii) are attracted to it, find us, suck our blood and get tons of nutrients, and leave us with nothing but an itchy bump. Another great example would be certain herbivores which have evolved the ability to tolerate or detoxify the chemicals given off by plants trying to protect themselves, so in the end, the plant worked so hard to produce this chemical and still ended up getting eaten.

As crazy as it seems, insects, plants, reptiles, even WE, can speak without words! Chemical communication is a very complex and astonishing concept, but without it, insects would definitely not be as successful as they are today.




References:

 Guerrero, A. "INTER AND INTRASPECIFICITY OF CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION." INTER AND INTRASPECIFICITY OF CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION. Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS). Web. 24 Apr. 2015. .  
Holbrook, T., Clark, R., & Haney, B. (2014). Secrets of a Superorganism. Retrieved April 24, 2015, from ASU School of Life Sciences.
Meyer, J. R. (2006). Insect Communication. Retrieved April 24, 2015 from NC State University

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mimicry: Being Masters of Disguise

By Anonymous -
Image
By: Cassidy Herbster, Cari Marota and Malik Mason  First to explain mimicry, it is copying another insect or inanimate object to aid in avoidance of predators and/or catching prey. There are two types of mimicry: batesian and mullerian. Batesian refers to when only the insect who is mimicking benefits while mullerian is when both the model and mimicking insect benefits. Most common way is with coloring. The colors of the bad tasting, venomous, or vicious insect is copied by a different insect to avoid being eaten by a predator, though the copy cat doesn't actually have that defense, it just appears so.  They also use coloring to blend in to catch prey or avoid being prey.  The insect being mimicked is called the model. Insects will not always only mimic other insects, but creatures such as arachnids or reptiles. Mimicry might not be for the whole lifetime of the insect. For example, the larvae of an insect could mimic a predator but grow up and not use mimicry as such a stron
Read more

Bear Lake Bog

By Anonymous -
Image
            A picture of a wetland bog from the Northern Hemisphere Source: https://infograph.venngage.com/p/176597/bog-biome               From lakeside dunes to old-growth white pine forests, Michigan is enriched with unique ecosystems. Although many of which have been claimed by society for agricultural and suburban means, portions of conserved land have been reserved for public recreation and admiration of wilderness. Wetland bogs are microcosms that serve as host to many unique organisms. While they used to be much more prevalent in the United States, they are still an important ecosystem in the US. This blog will expound on our class’s excursion to a bog named Bear Lake Bog.             Bear Lake Bog is located about six miles south of Au Sable campus and is found between the East Lakes and Bear Lake. We visited this bog on May 22, 2018. We brought along a variety of equipment including aquatic nets and waders. Like most bogs, Bear Lake Bog is partially covered by a s
Read more

From Water Tigers to Deadly Divers: Dytiscidae

By -
Image
                       Plop. After surfacing briefly for a respite of fresh air, the expert diver submerges into the murky deep. Soon spotting the fish of interest, he darts forward, his legs moving in strong, coordinated strokes. Stealthily approaching his target (which rivals him in size), he fearlessly charges for the kill. The prey writhes and wriggles helplessly as the diver sinks his prong-like mandibles into its flesh. The predacious diving beetle’s excursion was successful; dinner has been secured.                      Predacious diving beetles belong to the family Dytiscidae , which is derived from the Greek root word dytikos, which means “able to dive,” aptly describing the impressive ability of these little aquatic predators. This family encompasses over 4,000 described species. Adults generally range in size from 1 to 2.5 cm (0.4–1.0 inches) long and are found in slow-moving, freshwater bodies of water around the globe, with only a sparse few species making the
Read more