Life in the Zoo!
This morning I got to videoconference with 1st hr--it was fun talking with you guys and I hope to see the rest of you on Wednesday!
Here is Mystery Caterpillar #2. Please look it up on http://www.caterpillars.org/ and write down its scientific name in your response journal. Remember the rules of writing scientific names? Also, think about what the spots are on the caterpillar and jot something down about their function!
When we find caterpillars in the field, we have to bag them up with some of leaves that they are eating, ID the plant and caterpillar, determine their instar stage, location, date, etc. All of these data are later entered into the project database for analysis. It takes lots of data to conduct a real scientific study. Rebecca and her colleagues have already collected over 11,000 caterpillars for her project! That's a LOT of caterpillars!!!!
The caterpillars we collect are then brought back to the bunkhouse where we are staying and they are clipped on to a rearing rack. Every day we have to spend time working the caterpillar zoo, checking for life stage changes and parasitoids, and we also get the pleasure of cleaning out the frass--lots of it! I was on zoo duty for a while after my videoconference, and we were excited to see that Mystery Caterpillar #1 is pupating! In this picture you will see Dr. Dyer (in the plaid shirt), the principal investigator, who flew in to Nevada to talk to us about the research project. He oversees caterpillar research in Arizona, Louisiana, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.
Here is Mystery Caterpillar #2. Please look it up on http://www.caterpillars.org/ and write down its scientific name in your response journal. Remember the rules of writing scientific names? Also, think about what the spots are on the caterpillar and jot something down about their function!When we find caterpillars in the field, we have to bag them up with some of leaves that they are eating, ID the plant and caterpillar, determine their instar stage, location, date, etc. All of these data are later entered into the project database for analysis. It takes lots of data to conduct a real scientific study. Rebecca and her colleagues have already collected over 11,000 caterpillars for her project! That's a LOT of caterpillars!!!!
The caterpillars we collect are then brought back to the bunkhouse where we are staying and they are clipped on to a rearing rack. Every day we have to spend time working the caterpillar zoo, checking for life stage changes and parasitoids, and we also get the pleasure of cleaning out the frass--lots of it! I was on zoo duty for a while after my videoconference, and we were excited to see that Mystery Caterpillar #1 is pupating! In this picture you will see Dr. Dyer (in the plaid shirt), the principal investigator, who flew in to Nevada to talk to us about the research project. He oversees caterpillar research in Arizona, Louisiana, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.
Your CHALLENGE QUESTION for the day is--what is the difference between a parasite and a parasitoid? Also, what insect orders are most likely to be parasitoids? Be sure and write your answer in your response journal.
Our study plots are FLOODED this year, so the main area we need to get to for collection is not accessible by foot. If you would like to see how we got to them this afternoon, click on this link to a video titled:
(scroll down to the bottom of the linked page to view it)
This video was directed by Liz, one of the other teachers and I am pretty sure it will be on the Discovery Channel soon...just wait! I will write more about this exciting collection technique tomorrow, so stay tuned!
posted by Ms. Ball @ 8:33 PM
7 Comments:
How have the mystery caterpillars evolved to their environment?
-Courtney, Erica, Jenny, and Katie
The abundance of the caterpillar families is astounding! It is amazing that the project members have caught over 11,000 caterpillars already! It must require a lot of work, time and dedication.
How do caterpillars affect the ecology in New Orleans?
In civics we're watching a video on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and we were wondering, how did the Hurricane affect the caterpillar population?
From Bailey, Leah, Meixi, and Madi
We think it's interesting how you collect caterpillars and how you have to ID the plant and caterpillars. I can't immagine seeing over 11,000 caterpillars at one time.
How does this experiment affect the butterfly population?
What kind of equipment do you use to collect butterflies?
How do you handle poisonous caterpillars?
By: Elena and Jessica
From: Megan and Tori
1. About how many species have Rebecca and her colleagues found?
2. What is the most interesting thing you have seen a caterpillar do?
how did the Hurricane affect the well being of the catepillars
From Hunter Peezy and MGZ
How many species of catepillars have you found?
How many of the catepillars have parasites?
Blake and Brian
Hey Mrs. Ball,
I really enjoy trying to figure out what the mystery caterpillar is everyday.
Where is the most common place you find caterpillars?
-Mary C.
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