10 Insects That Are Commonly Studied

Quck answer

Insects are fascinating creatures that have captured the attention of scientists and enthusiasts alike. Here are 10 insects that are commonly studied:

1. Ants – These social insects exhibit complex behavior and communication.

2. Bees – Important pollinators, bees are also studied for their intricate social structure.

3. Butterflies – Their colorful wings and unique life cycle make them a popular subject of study.

4. Grasshoppers – Their jumping ability and role in the ecosystem make them an interesting insect to study.

5. Ladybugs – These beetles are studied for their role in pest control and their unique defense mechanisms.

6. Mosquitoes – Despite their annoying bites, mosquitoes are studied for their role in disease transmission.

7. Praying Mantises – These predators are studied for their hunting techniques and unique body structure.

8. Spiders – Arachnids like spiders are studied for their venom and silk production.

9. Termites – These social insects are studied for their ability to break down wood and their role in the ecosystem.

10. Walking Sticks – These insects are studied for their camouflage and unique body shape.

Overall, insects offer a wealth of information and intrigue to those who study them.

Animal Facts

Mosquitoes are one of the insects that humans study extensively because of the diseases they spread. A study conducted by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that a person’s DNA is one of the determining factors for why mosquitoes bite humans. The bugs took a whiff of each hand and flew towards some hands while staying away from others. Mosquitoes are not the only insects that are extensively studied. Here are the top 10 insects that lead the list, including monarch butterflies and head lice.

10: Monarch Butterflies

Monarch butterflies have been under intense scientific scrutiny for over a century due to their migration habits and dwindling population. Monarchs east of the Rockies migrate to Mexico each fall from the United States and Canada. However, as each year passes, their population declines, mainly due to habitat destruction. As a result, scientists have studied the behavior of the orange and black flutterers, their biology and their environs, trying to find ways to bolster their population.

9: Head Lice

Head lice have been a head-scratching nuisance for millennia, making their homes on the scalps of humans because food is plentiful and the environment warm and moist. In the United States, between 6 million and 12 million children ages 3 to 11 get lice each year.

Many researchers study insects for their ecological and economic impact. John Clark, an environmental toxicology and chemistry professor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, discovered that some lice have mutated into “super lice” that can resist two common insecticides found in over-the-counter treatments. Clark estimates that 90 percent of head lice in the United States have this mutation.

8: Honeybees

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) play a critical role in agriculture as they are major pollinators of crops. They pollinate over 130 fruit and vegetable crops, contributing $15 billion to the U.S. economy. Losing honeybees could negatively impact food production as they pollinate 80 percent of all flowering crops, which is nearly a third of human food. Researchers also study honeybees for Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a phenomenon where adult bees die except for the queen. CCD’s cause is unknown but scientists are investigating pathogens, parasites, and environmental stressors. Honeybee research may also lead to benefits for human health, as bee venom has been used to treat autoimmune diseases and arthritis.

7: Fire Ants

Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) originated from Brazil and arrived in the U.S. in the 1930s. They are harmful to ecosystems in the South and can strip an animal carcass in hours. Fire ants attack and sting in groups, and their venom is toxic and burning. Fire ants cause an estimated $1.2 billion in damage each year in Texas alone. Researchers aim to eliminate and control the pest through genetic, chemical, and nonchemical methods. Some studies have explored home remedies, but they were mostly ineffective.

6: Insects that Kill Trees

A controlled burn was used to destroy forest areas infested with mountain pine beetles in Yoho National Park, British Columbia. The aftermath of the fire has left an unusual pattern on the side of the mountain.
В© Andy Clark/Reuters/Corbis

Tree-killing insects are a category of their own, including the mountain pine beetle, emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, and more. Scientists are studying their behavior and biology as they devastate forests worldwide. In 2012, Connecticut was taken by surprise as the emerald ash borer drilled holes and laid eggs in the state’s ash trees, killing thousands of trees [source: DEEP].

Gypsy moths have defoliated millions of hardwood trees in the East, while the polyphagous shot hole borer in California drills tunnels and deposits fungal spores, which later kill the tree. Pesticides are ineffective as the tree shields the insect, making eradication difficult. Researchers at Northern Arizona University discovered that recordings of the beetle’s own sounds could stop armies of bark beetles by stopping mating, burrowing, and feeding [source: McKinnon].

5: Maggots

Insect larvae from green bottle flies are applied to wounds in maggot therapy after being suspended in water.
В© Louise Murray/Visuals Unlimited/Corbis

Maggots have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries to clean injuries and prevent infection. While antibiotics replaced maggots, their use in modern medicine is increasing. The U.S. Federal Drug Administration approved their use as a “medical device” in 2004, and studies show that maggots do a better job of clearing out dead tissue after surgery than a doctor with a scalpel and scissors. Maggot secretions even battle some pathogens, which can help prevent infections [source: Arnold].

Forensic entomologists study maggots and adult flies for their importance in determining the species that settle on a decomposing body. Flies are the first bugs to arrive, and different types of flies appear at different times and grow at different rates. Blowflies and flesh flies are among the first to show up, while more flies appear as the body decomposes [source: Lee].

4: Cockroaches

Despite having existed for 350 million years, the cockroach (Blattodea order) continues to fascinate scientists who study their taxonomy, biology, ecology, behavior, and diet. In 2007, researchers at Vanderbilt University conducted a study on the cockroach’s ability to learn, teaching individual bugs to prefer peppermint over vanilla. They discovered that the cockroach’s memory is closely linked to its circadian cycle. Another study revealed that when isolated, cockroaches become shut-ins, eat less, and are unable to tell when a female wants to mate.

3: Ladybugs

With 5,000 known species, ladybugs (Coccinellidae family) are the most recognizable insects in the wild, beloved by farmers for their ability to eat crop-destroying pests like aphids and mites. Scientists study ladybugs to determine why some common species are becoming rare and to experiment with using them as nonchemical biopesticides. In Japan, researchers have bred nonflying ladybugs that devour other bugs and significantly reduce crop damage.

2: European Corn Borer

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), a moth-like insect first identified in Boston in 1917, is a notorious pest that causes roughly $1 billion in damage and control costs each year. Scientists study the bug’s mating habits, diet, and spread in order to find ways to manage or stop its damage. One method of control involves genetically modified corn that produces an insecticidal protein from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which protects the plants from the pest.

1: Fruit Fly

The fruit fly, also known as Drosophila melanogaster, is a commonly studied insect in science laboratories around the world. These tiny flies have helped scientists learn about genetics and find treatments for diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s disease. Fruit flies are used as a substitute for humans in research because they share 75% of their genes with us. Hundreds of labs in the United States focus on fruit fly research because they are easy to work with and can be kept in large quantities without taking up much space. This is not possible with larger animals like rats or mice.

Lots More Information

Author’s Note: 10 Insects We Love to Study

The Asian ladybug is another commonly studied insect. They are attracted to bright surfaces and the sunny parts of buildings, which is why they infest yellow houses like the author’s. While they are a nuisance, they are not as unwelcome as cockroaches.

DNA.” The Washington Post. April 22, 2015. (April 29, 2015) https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/why-do-mosquitoes-like-to-bite-you-best-its-in-your-dna/2015/04/22/fb36de5a-e7a3-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html

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FAQ

1. What makes insects such an interesting subject of study?

There are many reasons why insects are fascinating to study. For one, they make up the largest group of animals on the planet, with over a million known species. Insects can also be found in almost every environment, from the depths of the ocean to the highest mountaintops. Additionally, they play important roles in ecosystems as pollinators, decomposers, and food sources for other animals. Studying insects can help us better understand the natural world and the interactions between different species.

2. What are some common methods used to study insects?

There are many ways to study insects, depending on the specific research question. Some common methods include collecting and identifying specimens, observing behavior in the wild or in captivity, conducting experiments to test hypotheses, and using molecular techniques to study DNA and genetics. Insect researchers may also use mathematical models and computer simulations to study population dynamics or predict the effects of environmental change on insect communities.

3. What are some of the most interesting facts about the insects we study?

There are so many interesting facts about insects that it’s hard to choose just a few! Here are a couple: Some ants can carry objects that are up to 50 times their own body weight. Termites are able to digest wood thanks to the help of tiny microbes in their gut. Butterflies and moths have scales on their wings that reflect light in intricate patterns, creating the beautiful colors we see. And some species of cockroaches can survive for weeks without their heads!

4. How have insects influenced human history and culture?

Insects have played important roles in human history and culture for thousands of years. For example, honeybees have been kept by humans for their honey and wax for at least 5,000 years. Silk moths have been domesticated for even longer, and their silk has been used to make clothing and other textiles. Insects have also been used as symbols in art and literature, and have influenced human beliefs and traditions. For example, the ancient Egyptians worshipped scarab beetles as symbols of rebirth and transformation.

5. What are some of the challenges facing insect populations today?

Insect populations around the world are facing many challenges, including habitat loss, climate change, pesticide use, and invasive species. Many important pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, are declining in numbers, which could have serious consequences for food security and ecosystem health. Insects are also important indicators of environmental health, so declines in their populations can signal broader ecological problems.

6. How can we use our knowledge of insects to protect them and their habitats?

There are many ways that our knowledge of insects can be used to protect them and their habitats. For example, by studying the effects of pesticides on non-target insects, we can develop more targeted and less harmful pest management strategies. By studying the effects of climate change on insect populations, we can identify areas that may be particularly vulnerable and develop conservation plans. And by studying the ecological roles of insects, we can better understand the importance of preserving intact ecosystems and protecting biodiversity.