Insects’ Power of Reproduction

Power of reproduction of insects. Insects exist in enormous numbers and have a most remarkable power of increase. It is estimated that if the hop­vine aphis should multiply unchecked and each in­sect should live and find enough food, at the end of one season the number of the last brood would be 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.

Dr. Hodge has es­timated for the mosquito that if each insect should live, and the female lay the average number of eggs, the number of descendants of a single mosquito at the end of six months would be represented by the figure 2, followed by 39 ciphers. Of course this can never happen, on account of abundance of its ene­mies and lack of food.

Amount of food eaten by insects. Another fact that makes insects so destructive is the enormous amount of food they devour in a short time. Many caterpillars eat each day twice their own weight of leaves. Sometimes a single day's work of an army of insects may be enough to destroy a crop.

Nature's check on insects. The wonderful power of reproduction possessed by insects and the enor­mous amounts of food eaten suggest how important it is that there should be checks constantly at work to keep down their numbers.

Such a constant check are the birds, which constitute one of Nature's most effective means of controlling insects and keeping a proper balance. Parasitic and predaceous insects are another means of keeping the balance. The birds work from sunrise till sunset devouring in­sects during the warmer months of the year when insects are abundant, and some birds during the winter feed on insects' eggs and on the hibernating insects.

Yahoo! News Search Results for insects
Yahoo! News Search Results for insects

The Amazing Insects Of U Local
WGAL's U Local members have sent more than 100 pictures of insects -- everything from preying mantises and crickets, to caterpillars and butterflies. You can view all of the pictures below.
Fall is time to spy on insects on goldenrod
Fall brings goldenrod ? and a great opportunity to spy on insects.
Jeff Mitton: Hunting the giant desert hairy scorpion
Scorpions patrol the desert at night, hunting small insects. ( Jeff Mitton )
Antibiotic made from insects helps war wounds
An antibiotic that gets its microbe-fighting power from insect proteins has proven to be effective at attacking a common infection that afflicts blast victims in war zones.
Making a stink over bugs
Homeowners aget help battling insects and their 'aroma'
Citizen Science Nature Program: Butterfly and Moth Collection
Join us in collecting and photographing insects around the fields and farms of SERC. No experience necessary. Wear comfortable walking shoes, long pants, and bring field guides if you have them (butterfly and general insects). Pre-registration suggested (443) 482.2300. For ages 12+. $5 person.
Politicians won?t let the bed bugs bite
A bedbug in action. FILE PHOTO State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights) and Assemblyman Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria) are using their political power to fight bedbugs. On Tuesday, both announced the passage of new laws targeting the pesky insects.
Make your landscape inviting to birds
If you can provide a place for birds to nest, you'll have the pleasure of seeing them frequently at close range and have the advantage of allies in the control of insects.
Kaunas Zoo ? a joy for kids
Some 2,900 insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals live in the Lithuanian Zoo situated on 15.9 hectares in an oak grove of the Zaliakalnis district in the town of Kaunas. The 85 species of mammals are the biggest attraction at the zoo.
Onondaga County Health Department to spray for EEE
After finding that two pools of mosquitoes known to bite people were infected with the EEE virus, the Onondaga County Health Department has decided to spray for the insects on...