Page 34 - Adventures through the World of Entomology
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How do the antennae of insects help in their survival? If you were to lose your sight, become deaf, How do the antennae of insects help in their survival? If you were to lose your sight, become deaf,
unable to taste or smell, you would pretty much be a blind deaf-mute. That’s exactly what you would do unable to taste or smell, you would pretty much be a blind deaf-mute. That’s exactly what you would do
if you cut off the antennae of an insect. Insects “see” with their antennae, “hear” with their antennae, if you cut off the antennae of an insect. Insects “see” with their antennae, “hear” with their antennae,
“talk” (communicate) with their antennae, “smell” with their antennae and “taste” with their antennae. “talk” (communicate) with their antennae, “smell” with their antennae and “taste” with their antennae.
FOR EXAMPLE — Termites are cryptobiotic; that is they live in the dark all of the time, except for the FOR EXAMPLE — Termites are cryptobiotic; that is they live in the dark all of the time, except for the
very brief time that the alates (males and females) are swarming. The swarmers have eyes because they very brief time that the alates (males and females) are swarming. The swarmers have eyes because they
do come out in the light – however briefly. The soldiers and worker termites do not have eyes. Why do come out in the light – however briefly. The soldiers and worker termites do not have eyes. Why
should they? They live in the dark channels in the wood or in the earth all of the time. Since there is no should they? They live in the dark channels in the wood or in the earth all of the time. Since there is no
light, they couldn’t see. They are like blind men. A blind man “sees” with his cane. As he taps his way light, they couldn’t see. They are like blind men. A blind man “sees” with his cane. As he taps his way
down the street, he can tell when he comes to a corner because his cane tells him there is a step down to down the street, he can tell when he comes to a corner because his cane tells him there is a step down to
the street. He can “see” the fire hydrant on the corner with his cane. The cane will tell him that the fire the street. He can “see” the fire hydrant on the corner with his cane. The cane will tell him that the fire
hydrant is round and has bumps on it and the cane will tell him how high it is. The only thing it won’t hydrant is round and has bumps on it and the cane will tell him how high it is. The only thing it won’t
tell him is what color it is. The antennae of the termite worker and soldier function just like the blind tell him is what color it is. The antennae of the termite worker and soldier function just like the blind
man’s cane and so we can say that termites “see” with their antennae. man’s cane and so we can say that termites “see” with their antennae.
TERMITE WORKERS (NYMPHS) TERMITE WORKERS (NYMPHS)
TERMITE SWARMERS (ALATES) HAvE EYES. HAvE NO EYES, THEY uSE ANTENNAE. TERMITE SWARMERS (ALATES) HAvE EYES. HAvE NO EYES, THEY uSE ANTENNAE.
Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR
FOR EXAMPLE — Crickets have a special organ called a tympanum that they use to hear vibrations. FOR EXAMPLE — Crickets have a special organ called a tympanum that they use to hear vibrations.
However, most insects use their antennae to pick up vibrations in their environment. They can “hear” However, most insects use their antennae to pick up vibrations in their environment. They can “hear”
the wind blowing with their antennae. the wind blowing with their antennae.
Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR
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