Page 35 - Adventures through the World of Entomology

FOR EXAMPLE — Have you ever watched a trail ARGENTINE ANTS FOR EXAMPLE — Have you ever watched a trail ARGENTINE ANTS
of ants going in one direction with a number of ants of ants going in one direction with a number of ants
returning along the trail from the other direction? returning along the trail from the other direction?
You won’t watch very long until you see two of You won’t watch very long until you see two of
them stop, one from one direction and one from the them stop, one from one direction and one from the
other direction, and touch antennae together. They other direction, and touch antennae together. They
are passing information to each other, probably are passing information to each other, probably
through an exchange of chemicals, or maybe even through an exchange of chemicals, or maybe even
just from touch. They are communicating with each just from touch. They are communicating with each
other. Thus, we can say that insects “talk” with their other. Thus, we can say that insects “talk” with their
antennae. Photo Courtesy of UNVAR antennae. Photo Courtesy of UNVAR

FOR EXAMPLE — Sex attractant hormones are commonly used to lure stored food product pests out FOR EXAMPLE — Sex attractant hormones are commonly used to lure stored food product pests out
of their hiding places in supermarkets to a trap so that their presence can be documented. It is common of their hiding places in supermarkets to a trap so that their presence can be documented. It is common
knowledge that some male moths and butterflies can pick up the scent given off by the female literally knowledge that some male moths and butterflies can pick up the scent given off by the female literally
miles away as she wafts a sex hormone into the breeze to attract a male. The insects use their antennae miles away as she wafts a sex hormone into the breeze to attract a male. The insects use their antennae
to capture these scents. Thus, we can say that insects smell with their antennae. (I’ve seen this type of to capture these scents. Thus, we can say that insects smell with their antennae. (I’ve seen this type of
behavior exhibited in humans on the streets at Hollywood and Vine. Down there they call it “perfume.”) behavior exhibited in humans on the streets at Hollywood and Vine. Down there they call it “perfume.”)

An insect, like this American cockroach, has its sense of An insect, like this American cockroach, has its sense of

taste centered in special receptors in the tip of its antennae. taste centered in special receptors in the tip of its antennae.

Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR

FOR EXAMPLE — The next time you come across an American cockroach infestation, stop and watch FOR EXAMPLE — The next time you come across an American cockroach infestation, stop and watch
one of the individuals for a while. It won’t be long until you see the cockroach touch the tip of its long one of the individuals for a while. It won’t be long until you see the cockroach touch the tip of its long
antenna onto the surface in front of it. It is tasting the environment hoping to find something very antenna onto the surface in front of it. It is tasting the environment hoping to find something very
agreeable to eat. Its sense of taste is centered in special receptors in the tip of its antennae. Thus, we agreeable to eat. Its sense of taste is centered in special receptors in the tip of its antennae. Thus, we
can say that insects taste with their antennae. can say that insects taste with their antennae.

Given all of these for instances, you can readily see that an insect’s antennae are extremely important to Given all of these for instances, you can readily see that an insect’s antennae are extremely important to
it. The loss of an antenna means disorientation. it. The loss of an antenna means disorientation.

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