Coleoptera
This beetle is one of the largest insects in the world, with some specimens reaching lengths of over 17 centimeters.
What is the Hercules Beetle (Dynastes hercules)?
This species uses microscopic scales to diffract light, giving them an iridescent sheen.
What is the Blue Morpho (Morpho peleides)?
In a weird twist of endophytic symbiosis, Leafcutter Ants (Atta cephalota) rely on this food source for essential nutrients.
What is Agaricaceae fungus?
Easily one of the coolest and most important species in existance, the Wild Foxglove Hoverfly (Syrphus ribesii) larva feed on this agricultural pest.
What are aphids?
The males of this species engage in loud calling to attract females, producing a characteristic "chirping" sound.
What is The House Cricket (Gryllus assimilis)?
This invasive beetle has caused widespread mortality among trees in North America since its introduction in 2002.
What is the Emerald Ash Borer (Anoplophora glabraipennis)?
To scare off predators, the Luna Moth (Actias luna) relies on these unique eye-like markings on their hindwing.
What is the Ocellar spot?
Known for their powerful venom and cooperative hunting, this wasp is one of the most aggressive and feared Hymenoptera in Japan.
What is the Japanese Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia), AKA the Murder Hornet?
This species is recognized by its distinctive spherical dirt nests made by the females.
What is the Mud-Dauber Wasp (Sphecius speciosus)?
This species of mantis is one of the largest in the world, with a body length of up to 13 cm.
What is the Asian Giant Mantis (Tenodera aridifolia)?
Males of this species engage in intense battles for dominance, using their enlarged mandibles to inflict injury.
What is the Stag Beetle (Popillia japonica)?
This plant group is a common host for Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) caterpillars.
What is Umbelliferae- celery, carrots, parsley?
Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) communicate information about food and nest locations through this complex ritual of figure-eight dance patterns and pheromones.
What is the waggle dance?
This fly is one of the most recognizable and ubiquitous insects in human environments and has been known to carry disease and lay eggs on decaying matter.
What is the Common Housefly (Musca domesticus)?
During periods of high population density, the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria) undergoes a process called "phase polymorphism," where individuals transition from a solitarious phase to a gregarious phase known by this common term.
What is a swarm?
This beetle is known for its metallic green coloration and distinctive copper-colored elytra.
What is the Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica)?
Known for it's distinctive skull patterning, the African Death's-Head Hawk Moth (Acheronta atropos) uses this organ to produce a squeek sound when raiding honey bee hives or scaring off predators.
What is the pharynx?
When scouting for food, Yellow Jackets (Vespula maculifons) release this to leave a trail for others to follow.
What is recruitment pheromone?
While the adult form can be seen flying through the air, the larval form of the Broad-Bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) is typically found here.
What is the freshwater habitat?
The Green-Striped Grasshopper has a unique way of regulating its body temperature, relying on this major body system for cooling.
What is the respiratory system?
The Goliathus Beetle (Lucanus elaphus) is commonly found in this region.
What is the African rainforest?
During the fourth instar of the development of the Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus), this process separates the cuticle from the epidermis to allow for a larger covering to form.
What is apolysis?
Red Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) are known for their stings, during which they inject this particularly painful compound.
What is solenopsin?
Female Common Blue Damseflies (Enallagma cyathigerum ) can exist in two morphs, one of which is a heteromorph that is brown/green. In their other form, the andromorph, females are this color to avoid unwanted male attention.
What is blue?
During development, the eggs of the Southern Green Katydid (Scudderia pistiformis) undergo a process called "diapause," where they enter a state of dormancy in response to this stimuli.
What are adverse weather conditions?