Insect Bites

29 January 2010 0 komentar
Insect bites regularly look like little red bumps on your skin that are often scratchy. They are the result of an injection of a foreign substance into your skin. The introduction of this foreign substance may generate an affected by reaction, depending on the sensitivity of the person to that substance.

This foreign substance can come from either a spiteful or a non-venomous insect. A venomous insect bites or attacks the person as a defense mechanism, injecting toxic venom into the person's skin to keep him away. Insects such as bees, hornets, and fire ants are classified as venomous insects. Non-venomous insects, on the other hand, feed themselves by injecting anti-coagulant saliva into your skin. These insects are mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, and some spiders.

Mosquito bites usually are visible on a person's uncovered areas, such as hands, arms, legs, ankle, and the neck. They are easy to spot, as they swell easily. Flea bites mostly are visible in the ankle area and lower leg. They don't appear instantly but can become increasingly itchy after long hours. A spider bite literally is visible because you can see the bite mark in the middle of a visible swelling lump on the affected area of the skin. The skin's reaction also varies depending on the kind of spider.

The most common effect when the skin gets annoyed from an insect bite is burning. This can be treated with any Benadryl lotion. It helps lessen the enlargement and eventually reduces irritation. Another effect is stinging, which can be remedied just by placing a cold wet towel on the affected area of the skin. Others may have a serious allergic reaction to an insect bite. Face swelling, difficulty in breathing, fever, and even shock are the serious effects insect bites can cause.

If the swelling and stinging still persist, you may be having an acute allergic reaction to the bite and will need to see a doctor immediately.
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Cupid the Katydid Brings True Love to the Big Easy

15 June 2009 0 komentar


Saturday February 14, 2009

Cupid, a rare pink katydid, welcomes visitors at the Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans this Valentine's Day. Cupid and his siblings are the first pink katydids bred in captivity for almost a century. Last summer, donors brought two pink katydids to the Insectarium, and staff at Audubon's Insect Rearing Facility successfully mated the pair.

Cupid, a rare pink katydid, is on display at the Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans.
Cupid, a rare pink katydid, is on display at the Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans.
Photo © Audubon Institute

Cupid is an oblong-winged katydid, Amblycorypha oblongifolia. New Orleanians could be in for a lot of romance this year, in light of the old Cajun adage,” If a pink katydid lands on your shoulder on Valentine’s Day, you will find true love that year!”

You can see Cupid, along with hundreds of other unusual insects, at the Audubon Insectarium, 423 Canal Street (inside the U.S. Custom House) at the corner of North Peters and Canal Street. For more information about the Insectarium and other Audubon Institute attractions, visit their website, AudubonInstitute.org.

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Water Scavenger Beetle

14 June 2009 0 komentar

Water Scavenger Beetle

Scientific name:
(Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae)

Facts: Water scavenger beetles are also common in a wide range of sizes and are generally brown or black. Some water scavenger beetles have a conspicuous ridge on the underside of the thorax. This ridge easily distinguishes them from predaceous diving beetles. Adults usually feed on decaying matter; larvae are usually predaceous. To breathe, water scavenger beetles hold an air bubble on the undersurface of the body. These beetles come to the water surface head first.

Photo credit: Bastiaan (Bart) Drees

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Predaceous Diving Beetle

13 June 2009 0 komentar

Predaceous Diving Beetle

Scientific name:
(Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

Facts: Predaceous diving beetles range in size from 1/16 inch to almost 2 inches long. Many of them are black or brown; some have markings. These beetles are predaceous as adults and larvae. Larvae, commonly known as water tigers, are not recommended for use in aquariums because they can easily capture and kill small fish. The adult beetles come to the surface of the water tail end up in order to replenish their air supply.

Photo credit: Bastiaan (Bart) Drees

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