ABC of Agri

Preserve specimens / insects – Entomology

Methods of preserving specimens vary depending on the type of insect and the intended use. Here are the most common ways to properly store your specimens. The papillotes Papillotes are triangular or rectangular, semi-transparent or transparent envelopes of paper. They are used for large winged insects and allow many unmounted specimens to be stored in one box. […]

How to kill insects? – Entomology

There are different methods of killing an insect. Each has its pros and cons, but here are the best options available to you. Freezing This simple and effective method does not require the use of chemicals. Use it in preference to others when possible. To kill insects by cold, put them in the freezer for at least […]

Collecting Insects – Entomology

It is often the beauty of insects that prompts people to start a collection. You catch a beautiful butterfly, you want to keep it, and this is the start of a new and exciting hobby! As your collection grows, you will find that it will give you much more than the satisfaction of having beautiful bugs […]

Insect study – Entomology

The world of arthropods is a rich, complex and fascinating universe. Whoever is interested in it enters a circle of initiates, amateurs or professionals, who have undergone the powerful attraction of these beings with multiple shapes and surprising customs. This little-known fauna arouses curiosity and astonishment, sometimes fear, but above all a host of questions. From this […]

The ABCs of observing arthropods / insects

A: Learn to move slowly, without making sudden movements. Once the insects are spotted, the real detective work begins. What are they doing? What are they busy doing? Among the main behaviors of insects, there are those related to: food  : eat or look for food; locomotion: moving by flying, jumping, walking, swimming; communication: showing your colors, emitting smells, […]

Valuable Allies – Beneficial insects – Entomology

Insects and other arthropods do us countless services, often without our knowledge. If they disappeared overnight, our daily life would be turned upside down! Without them, the whole chain of life would be profoundly changed and the effects on the environment and humanity would be disastrous. Examples? The pollination of many plants would no longer be assured. A host of […]

Classification of Insects – Insect orders with table

In order to classify insects, scientists have separated them into around 30 groups called orders. Representatives of the same order have kinship ties which are based on the shape of their body, their legs, their mouthparts and, in particular, their wings. The scientific name given to each of these orders usually ends with the suffix “pteras”, a […]

Woodlice – Entomology

This arthropod belongs to the order of the Isopods, of which the vast majority of the 10,000 known species inhabit the marine environment. It is a Crustacean. It is therefore closer to shrimps, crayfish, lobsters and crabs than insects and centipedes. Woodlice have an oval body and are approximately 12-15mm long, not exceeding 19mm. They are usually dull […]

Pseudoscorpion – Entomology

Pseudoscorpions look like very small scorpions with an oval, flattened body. Like the latter, they carry a pair of large pedipalps terminated by claws. On the other hand, they do not have a sting at the end of their abdomen and the rear end of their body is short and rounded (it is elongated to form a suchon in […]

Spider – Entomology

Spiders have a body that is divided into two parts: the “cephalothorax” (fused head and thorax) and the abdomen. They have eight legs, while insects have six. They have neither wings nor antennae. At the end of their abdomen are the “threads”, from which come the silk threads which are used to make the canvas, the shelters and […]

Myriapods – Entomology

Myriapods are arthropods with elongated bodies. The head carries the antennae and is followed by several segments which each support either one or two pairs of legs. This order includes in particular the millipedes or centipedes (Diplopods) and the centipedes or centipedes (Chilopods). What are the differences between millipedes and centipedes? Millipedes have a body that is […]

Springtail – Entomology

Although they have six legs, springtails are not insects because, among other things, their mouthparts are hidden in their heads. In comparison, the mouthparts of insects are projected outward from the head and easily discernible. Springtails are very small, wingless arthropods that vary greatly in shape, size and color depending on the species. Most are less than […]

What is an Insect? A weird way to breathe, Body in 3 parts, Metramorphosis

What is an Insect? In the adult stage, the body of insects is divided into three parts: the head, thorax and abdomen. It has three pairs of legs and often wings. Keeping in mind these characteristics peculiar to insects, they can easily be distinguished from other arthropods. However, it should be noted that the world […]

What is an Arthropod?

For many people, all small animals, be they slugs, earthworms, spiders, centipedes, woodlice, ladybugs or ants, can be categorized indiscriminately. tote: bugs! However, when we look at them a little more closely, we quickly realize that these little animals are not all the same. Some are insects, some are not. With a minimum of knowledge, it becomes easy […]

Grey Matters magazine – April 2021