When writing about the Natural World, it is very difficult to know when to stop!
I have found that one thing leads on to another.
Birds led on to trees which led on to the signs of Springtime which led to the importance of energy and my last blog looked at flowers and their purpose and the work of the busy bee.
A pattern is beginning to emerge which clearly shows the dependence and inter action the different parts have with each each other to make up the natural world we live in.
GOOD FOUNDATIONS:
Anything of substance, from a building to a management programme requires to have a firm foundation.
The natural world is the same, but the workings of the foundations are usually not highly visible, and don`t attract much attention.
I am referring to the world of insects.
Many insects are pollinators such as the bee and butterflies.
BUTTERFLY IS A POLLINATOR
Some have a very short life, such as the dragon fly, and might only live for a day or two. Others, like ants and bees, are highly organized and divide themselves into efficient working groups which surround the central figure of the queen.
THE INSECT EATING DRAGONFLY
Insects do not have the same publicity as brightly coloured birds or exotic plants, but they are vital to the health of the planet.
Insects tend to be small, possibly dull in colour and living out of sight, often underground, although there are exceptions such as butterflies, dragonflies and the popular ladybird which are colourful and eye catching.
NOT ALWAYS WELCOME:
They generally do not appeal to the human species as often an insect will be trampled underfoot or intentionally killed as it is assumed to be harmful and not an addition to the environment.
THE POPULAR LADYBIRD (LADY BUG).
Insects are always busy.
There are many types of creatures which are classed as insects, so I shall just put them together for this blog, as I`m sure there will be many criticisms as to what is technically an insect and what might be termed a bug.
THE SCI FI LOOKING GRASSHOPPER
Insects that are visible to us tend to have a segmented body, six legs and a shell like covering, such as beetles and grasshoppers. They may have wings so can fly for quite long distances.
Bugs on the other hand tend to live underground and are slower in movement and dull of colour.
EARTH WORMS CLEAN THE SOIL
The worm, does not fit into either category, but is a very important part of the eco system as it works its way through the soil, eating decayed food and vegetable matter, and aerating and oxygenating the earth which encourages good root growth for crops and plants.
WEEVLES ATTACK CROPS AND PLANT ROOTS
Many bugs and insects are unfortunately associated with spreading types of plant disease and eating crops. This is certainly the case with weevils which are beetle like insects and can destroy crops and plant roots, although are not poisonous. They are very unwelcome guests and are usually treated with a pesticide either to prevent them attacking plants and crops or to kill them.
ANTS CAN EAT THROUGH WOOD IN HOUSES
Ants , although fascinating hard working insects, can invade a home and certain types can eat woodwork and cause huge structural damage.
FOOD FOR THE FUTURE:
In many countries insects are part of the diet. They are highly nutritious, and apparently very tasty.
To date they haven`t been included on the British menu.
Like so many things, what we eat has a psychological link.
People in the UK do not eat horse meat, (although may have done unknowingly), as it is something that is still considered unacceptable although consuming beef, veal, lamb etc is common.
There will be some vegan and vegetarians who choose not to eat meat of any kind and certain religions have strict rules for eating animal meat.
As the world is changing and people venture to different countries, they become more adventurous with new food experiences.
Ostrich and kangaroo would not have been options for Brits in the past, but have been found to be popular and are now more widely available.
Tastes are changing, so who knows if insects may feature on the menu in the future?
Insects are certainly the food mainstay for the bird population, as they are small enough to eat and are very nutritious especially for young chicks.
Insects of all kinds, whether they fly or burrow underground, are a vital part of the Natural World.
They make up a huge part of it, and present in so many different ways.
An interesting feature of insects is their anatomy.
Few people study the shape of even a common housefly, but viewed under a microscope, the detail and body design of insects, is like looking at something from an alien world.
These little creatures have a highly sophisticated body with sensitive antennae and usually huge eyes for increased vision.
Instead of stepping on one and assuming it is a pest, we should be taking heed of insects and the positive impact they have on our planet.
Who knows, insects may play a significant role in the UK diet in years to come, as the supply is endless, nutrition is high, and would be extremely cost effective.
Once again, nature has shown how everything links together to find a balance which we as humans benefit from and more importantly should learn from.
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