tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210757346121712556.post7256922781425394327..comments2023-06-29T23:10:52.945-07:00Comments on Nature ID: black burying beetle ~ 09/27/13 ~ Rocky CreekKatie (Nature ID)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17730655720390625839noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210757346121712556.post-13042072272361275642013-10-10T05:48:29.683-07:002013-10-10T05:48:29.683-07:00Oh, I don't know, Graeme. I've long held ...Oh, I don't know, Graeme. I've long held the belief (may be wrong) that many times genes for color also tag along with genes for functional uses. We just don't know enough about various insect senses, yet.<br /><br />I did a quick search for hypothesized color uses. There's only 2 that come up: mating attraction and predator warning. <br /><br />As purely my speculation, it could be the antennae attract the mites (not mite predators) to climb onto the beetle. The mites parasitize competitors of the beetle. Win, win.Katie (Nature ID)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17730655720390625839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210757346121712556.post-50075970112835564492013-10-08T11:13:11.969-07:002013-10-08T11:13:11.969-07:00I'll see your "Hmm" and raise you a ...I'll see your "Hmm" and raise you a puzzled frown.<br /><br />I'm sure the antennae are absolutely brilliant at finding carcasses, but they wouldn't necessarily need to be orange for that.<br /><br />There must be some advantage to be gained, however small, as Nature hates waste.<br /><br />The obvious option is courtship, where a strong colour would demonstrate a vigorous and healthy individual capable of passing on their genes. But I was struck by the size match between the clubbed ends of the antennae and the mites. Probably just coincidence then.Imperfect and Tensehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348507012722069785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210757346121712556.post-37176454797812332812013-10-08T06:46:50.490-07:002013-10-08T06:46:50.490-07:00Ha, I could hear the sarcasm.
Hmm, I don't th...Ha, I could hear the sarcasm.<br /><br />Hmm, I don't think so about attracting mite predators, although supposedly the antennae are excellent at finding carcases. The mites parasitize fly larvae. Read the very brief Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PoecilochirusKatie (Nature ID)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17730655720390625839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210757346121712556.post-81639450023292473212013-10-05T00:02:40.658-07:002013-10-05T00:02:40.658-07:00A tougher scorer than Our Lass? My cup punneth ove...A tougher scorer than Our Lass? My cup punneth over.<br /><br />Those orange tips to the antennae are intriguing. Would they attract a predator that was big enough to tackle the mites, but small enough to not trouble the beetle?Imperfect and Tensehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348507012722069785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210757346121712556.post-50698601568751986292013-10-04T16:30:08.370-07:002013-10-04T16:30:08.370-07:00Ya, I couldn't believe the mites came out so c...Ya, I couldn't believe the mites came out so clearly and with only blacklight and a small flashlight. Hmm, can I start ranking your puns from 1-10, with 10 being fantastic? As Andy knows, I'm a tough scorer.Katie (Nature ID)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17730655720390625839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210757346121712556.post-30255229604871179772013-10-03T22:32:33.559-07:002013-10-03T22:32:33.559-07:00That newly-found macro function is being put to ex...That newly-found macro function is being put to excellent use, Katie.<br /><br />I must admit to being a little surprised that the post subtitle wasn't Carrion Camping, or are you suggesting (correctly) that I'm a bit of a wayward son?Imperfect and Tensehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348507012722069785noreply@blogger.com