Insect Ecology @ Au Sable - spring 2024

  (Spider wasp carrying spider, Photo by Hans Christoph Kappel) We’ve all had that tense moment when a wasp flies by our heads. Our first instinct is to duck, cover all our vital organs (the face), and run! Of course, even though we know that most things are more scared of us than we are of them, it does not change how we respond, but there is good news! A group of wasps (Family  Pompilidae ), also known as “spider wasps” or pompilids, are actually our saviors.  You may be asking, "Where is the good news? They can still sting us!" You are right! (kinda..) These wasps actually help lower the population of some of our greatest enemies, SPIDERS! Pompilids actually use spiders to lay their eggs, they do not eat them (most feed on plant nectar). After mating, the females will begin their hunt for a spider. Once they locate one they use their long and muscular abdomens to inject venom, through a stinger, ultimately paralyzing it. Instead of eat...

Sam Noble Museum Trip The Territorial Legislature of the future state of Oklahoma founded a natural history museum on the campus of the University of the Territory of Oklahoma in Norman in 1899.The museum is now part of The University of Oklahoma. The museum has had a long and distinguished history since 1899, including being known as the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History opened the doors on May 1st, 2000. The building is a 198,000 square foot facility housing labs,12 collections, offices, libraries, and exhibit. There are 50,000 feet of galleries opened to the public that hold over 4 billion years of Oklahoma’s natural history are featured in thousands of artifacts. The museum offers the public natural and historical exhibits that are constantly being updated and added onto as scientists keep uncovering more historical evidence every day. Museum staff are constantly making scientific investigations to preserve and dev...