Let’s Hear it for Arthropods!

Like a lot of you, I used to be quite fearful of a number of arthropod species.  That was until one chance encounter with an Argiope aurantia named Matilda and a visit to the Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston.  The biggest problem with fear is that it clouds our understanding.  Although a lot of arthropods have the potential to act as disease vectors, the vast majority actually helps rather than harms humans. A big misconception is that arthropods are just insects.  The word insect simply implies six legs.   Regardless of leg number, there are over 1,000,000 species of arthropods.  This …

Continue Reading

Bee Aware

Spring has long since sprung in the northern hemisphere and summer has unofficially begun.  Insect activity is in full swing as the race to pollinate is full on.  Until recently I did not know very much about one particular pollinator, the honey bee.  A chance encounter from a hive on the move was all it took to develop a deeper respect and understanding for such a magnificent yet sometimes unappreciated creature. A few weeks ago all I could have told you about honey bees is that they make honey and play key roles as pollinators.  While walking in the garden …

Continue Reading