Insects – the little wonders of the world
Bugs, noo-noos, go-gos, creepy crawlies, call them what you like, insects form a group of “animals” many people love to hate. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing worse than a fly in your Merlot or a cockroach in your pantry, but on closer inspection and with a little open mind, their beauty and the wonders of their world is a fascinating subject.
To try and uncover the science of entomology (the study of insects) in a single blog would be folly so I’ll introduce them first and then expand on the more interesting examples in follow up articles.
Of all the species of life on earth presently identified and described, insects make up an impressive 52%. Furthermore, an estimation of all the species of life in existence (including those that have yet to be discovered), insects contribute a staggering 73% to that list. Insects consume 20% of South Africa’s agricultural production and they are historically responsible for more deaths through transmittable diseases than all wars combined. Closer to home, in terms of biomass, the total sum of just the beetles in the Kruger National Park incredibly will outweigh all the large mammals combined. So don’t take them lightly!
Insects play an enormous role in the functioning of a healthy ecosystem. In many ecosystems, insects are the dominant grazers – locusts and harvester termites perhaps the best known examples – and play a crucial role in the decomposition of plant and animal wastes (think of carrion-eating Dermestid beetles or blow fly larvae). For the importance of insects to man, look no further than the honey bee. Bees pollinate flowers and are thus vital players in the completion of a plant’s life cycle. They are important as crop pollinators and our agricultural systems would collapse without them. And just think of the honey they produce!
So how do you tell an insect from another invertebrate? (In terms of animal classification, the first division made is to split those with a backbone – vertebrates – from those without – invertebrates). Generally speaking, insects have three body parts; the head, thorax and abdomen, and six legs (they belong to the Superclass Hexapoda, literally meaning six legs). Insects are also the only invertebrates to have evolved wings so this feature can further help you along. A pair of jointed antennae on its head used for smell and touch completes the picture. There are always exceptions to the rule but if you’re battling to determine what creature it is you’ve found, the above rule can apply in most cases and you’ve got yourself an insect.
Interestingly, insects have their skeleton on the outside of their bodies. Called an exoskeleton, it’s made from a substance called chitin and is comprised of a series of hardened plates held together by softer membrane to allow for movement, much like a suit of armour.
I could prattle on forever so in closing, needless it is to say, the Kruger Park is an ideal place to grow your interest in insects. You likely have already paid attention during a visit to the hard working dung beetle, a fat mopani worm or the attractive yet toxic blister beetle, so before your next trip invest in an insect Field Guide and familiarise yourself with the variety of insect species our region has to offer. We’ll delve more into their world in later blogs, so watch this space.
