#InsectEvolution

[knowledge-first]

Did you know butterflies taste with their feet?

Butterflies don't have mouths in the traditional sense! Instead, they rely on their proboscis (a long, straw-like organ) to sip nectar. But before they commit to a flower, they use their tiny taste receptors located on their feet to sample the nectar first! These taste receptors help butterflies find the most sugary flowers, ensuring they get the best fuel for their fluttering journeys. So next time you see a butterfly delicately landing on a flower, remember, it's giving it a taste test first!

[global-education]

🌍🦗 Journey to the Past: Earth in the Age of Giant Insects 🌿🦕

Imagine a world where insects ruled as giants, soaring through the skies and scuttling across the Earth's surface. This intriguing period, known as the Carboniferous era, is a fascinating chapter in our planet's history. Join us on a captivating journey as we explore what Earth was like during this age of colossal insects and lush forests.

🌿 The Carboniferous Era: A Verdant Paradise 🌿

During the Carboniferous era, which spanned from approximately 359 to 299 million years ago, Earth was vastly different from the world we know today. It was a time of lush, swampy forests, teeming with life and unique geological features.

🌳 Towering Tree Ferns and Giant Horsetails 🌾

One of the defining features of this era was the prevalence of towering tree ferns and giant horsetails. These plants, which could reach heights of up to 30 meters (98 feet), provided a rich habitat for a diverse array of creatures, including massive insects.

🦗 The Rise of Giant Insects 🐜

The high oxygen levels during the Carboniferous era, estimated to be around 35%, played a crucial role in the evolution of gigantic insects. Insects rely on the diffusion of oxygen through their bodies, and the higher levels in this ancient atmosphere allowed them to grow to unprecedented sizes.

🦋 Dragonflies the Size of Hawks 🌬️

One of the most iconic creatures of this era was the Meganeura, a colossal dragonfly with a wingspan of up to 75 centimeters (29.5 inches), comparable to that of some hawks. These giant insects ruled the skies, preying on smaller creatures.

🕷️ Enormous Arachnids and Millipedes 🕸️

Giant arachnids, such as the Arthropleura, a massive millipede-like creature, patrolled the forest floor. Some Arthropleura species reached lengths of over 2 meters (6.5 feet). While these creatures may evoke fear today, they were an integral part of the ecosystem during the Carboniferous era.

🌋 Volcanoes and Continental Drift 🌎

The Carboniferous era was marked by significant geological activity, including volcanic eruptions and the formation of Pangaea, the supercontinent that eventually gave rise to our modern continents. These geological events shaped the landscape and influenced the distribution of life.

🌪️ Climate and Extinction Events 🦠

Despite the lush forests and abundant life, the Carboniferous era was not without challenges. Periodic ice ages and climatic fluctuations led to several mass extinction events, reshaping the ecosystem and driving the evolution of new species.

🌍 The Legacy of the Carboniferous Era 🌿

Today, we can still see traces of the Carboniferous era in the form of coal deposits, which were formed from the accumulation of plant matter in the swampy forests. These coal deposits have played a significant role in shaping human history and industrialization.

Conclusion:

The Carboniferous era paints a vivid picture of Earth's ancient past, a time when giant insects and lush forests dominated the landscape. It reminds us of the ever-changing nature of our planet and the incredible diversity of life that has thrived throughout its history.

🌿🦕 Explore the wonders of the Carboniferous era and journey back in time to witness the reign of giant insects! 🦗🌍

[evoldir]

Fwd: Graduate position: Europe.15.InsectEvolution

Begin forwarded message: > From: evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca > Subject: Graduate position: Europe.15.InsectEvolution > Date: 10 December 2019 at 08:07:13 GMT > To: rdmpage@gmail.com > > > The new European joint doctorate programme INSECT DOCTORS is now > hiring. The INSECT DOCTORS network will train promising young scientists > to develop the knowledge, technical skills and tools to diagnose and > manage disease problems in commercial insect production systems. INSECT > DOCTORS is a European Joint Doctorate (EJD) Programme funded in the > framework of the H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN programme. > > 15 PhD positions are available across Europe, covering a wide range of > topics from pathogen diagnostics to experimental evolution.  For more > information on the project, the eligibility rules and how/where to apply > for each position see https://ift.tt/2Puv6PZ. > > > "Ros, Vera" > via IFTTT

[evoldir]

Fwd: Graduate position: UEastAnglia.2.InsectEvolution

Begin forwarded message: > From: evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca > Subject: Graduate position: UEastAnglia.2.InsectEvolution > Date: 14 November 2019 at 07:31:45 GMT > To: rdmpage@gmail.com > > > Reproductive interference for insect control > > A collaborative PhD project with Profs Tracey Chapman (UEA, UK), Dr > Wilfried Haerty (The Earlham Institute, UK) and Prof Luke Alphey (The > Pirbright Institute, UK). > > You will train at the interface of fundamental reproductive biology, > bioinformatics and genetic engineering, to develop proof-of-principle > for the use of reproductive interference as complementary new method > for insect control.  Insect pests are a persistent and growing threat to > human livelihoods and health because they damage economically important > crops and spread disease. The pressing global challenge of combating such > pests is being exacerbated by the evolution of resistance, the diminishing > availability of pesticides and by climate change. The student will focus > on reproductive interference ' whereby courtship and copulation of > one species / population is interrupted or disturbed by another. In the > context of insect control this is often referred to as 榮atyrization' > and it works because the consequences (particularly costs) of hybrid > mating can lead to the competitive exclusion of a harmful species (or > population) by a more benign one. > > Please contact tracey.chapman@uea.ac.uk for further questions! > > To apply, see: > > https://ift.tt/2O8On9b > > Application deadline Nov 25th 2019! > > > > > ----- > > > > > Gifts that keep on giving: maternal effects and insect pest control > > A collaborative PhD project with Prof Tracey Chapman and Dr Phil Leftwich > (UEA, UK), Dr Wilfried Haerty and Dr Will Nash (The Earlham Institute, > UK) and Dr Tim Harvey Samuel (The Pirbright Institute, UK). > > You will train at the interface of genetic engineering and > fundamental biology to understand the role of maternal RNAs in early > development. Variation in the diversity and levels of maternal RNAs are > key to understanding evolutionary adaptation and plasticity, as well > as aiding in the development of next generation gene drive systemsfor > insect control.  Successful early embryonic development occurs as a > result of a precise balance between the effects of both embryonic and > maternal genomes. Very little of this process is known in key insect > pests and it is of particular importance for effectively tackling serious > agricultural pests such as the medfly (Ceratitis capitita). This is an > extreme generalist whose larvae can thrive in over 350 different host > fruits, many of which are of global economic importance. > > > > Please contact tracey.chapman@uea.ac.uk for further questions! > > To apply, see: > > https://ift.tt/32LBgA7 > > Application deadline Nov 25th 2019! > > > > > > "Tracey Chapman (BIO - Staff)" > via IFTTT