insect
Zooillogix
Category archives for insect
Ants Versus Termites
Posted by ableiman on March 17, 2008 A particularly close-up and violent ant versus termite video.
Robotic Climbing Insect
Posted by ableiman on March 16, 2008 Climbing Insect Robot Official roboty info: RiSE is a small six-legged robot that climbs vertical terrain such as walls, trees and fences. RiSE’s feet have claws, micro-claws or sticky material, depending on the climbing surface. RiSE changes posture to conform to the curvature of the climbing surface and a fixed tail helps RiSE balance on…
Gecko Begs Insect to Feed It Honeydew
Posted by ableiman on February 18, 2008 Fascinating BBC footage of geckos coaxing leafhoppers to feed them honeydew. The lizards tap their feet or bob their heads, and the insect dutifully tosses them a bead of delicious tree sap. This definitely qualifies as bizarre zoology.
The Schmidt Sting Pain Index
Posted by ableiman on January 29, 2008 Our recent coverage of the Cracked story “The 5 Most Horrifying Bugs in the World” made reference to the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, something we felt the need to explore further. Apparently Dr. Justin O Schmidt, an entomologist recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Tucson Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, felt the need…
The 5 Most Horrifying Bugs in the World
Posted by ableiman on January 25, 2008 We don’t like posts that simply link to other sites because we want you to hang out here. We picture you sitting at home in a bathrobe, drinking coffee, wearing bunny slippers and chortling with an English accent as you peruse Zooillogix. Sometimes we have to make exceptions though… This article in Cracked is crude,…
Incredible Mantis Pics Round III
Posted by ableiman on January 18, 2008 We’ve brought you some of Igor Siwanowicz’s incredible work in the past (Round I and Round II) but wanted to share some of his newer photos. Please visit his site and hire him to do the photos for your daughter’s bat mitzvah or something… A whole series demonstrating Igor’s outstanding head shots below the fold…
Insect Warfare: the Next Generation of Terrorism?
Posted by Benny Bleiman on October 30, 2007 We’ve posted a handful of stories about insects being outfitted with surveillance equipment, converted into cyborgs and even remade as robots, but what about using insects as instruments of biological warfare? As it turns out, this may be the most likely and frightening scenario. Ira Flatow, a close personal friend of Zooillogix (we’re assuming), went…
Cyborg Bugs to Engage in Warentless Eavesdropping
Posted by Benny Bleiman on October 5, 2007 In a breakthrough heralded by some as “a major advancement toward the annihilation of the human species,” a military contractor known as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) is utilizing robotic hybrid insects for surveillance and intel gathering. Using microelectromechanical systems or (MEMS), researchers are able to control the movements and flight of insects…
Incredible Mantis Pictures Round II
Posted by ableiman on September 21, 2007 These come from photographer Igor Siwanowicz. Absolutely spectacular. Check out tons of his incredible work here. Idolomantis diabolica Unidentified Idolomantis diabolica
Anything involving earwigs = a terrible idea
Posted by ableiman on September 17, 2007 Benny and I love almost all living things even if we have to squish those things from time to time. The one distinct exception to this rule is the earwig. This is the common name for the insect order Dermaptera, which frequently have an abdomen that ends in forceps-like cerci or, in other words, pinchers!…