Videos illustrating topics covered on this site: Insects
Butterfly (Swallowtail) Metamorphosisfrom mhdfaThis video has an audio commentary. The sequence opens in real time, showing a Swallowtail butterfly inserting its long, tubular proboscis into flowers to reach for nectar secreted by nectaries at the base of the flower. The next sequence is of the larva (caterpillar) hatching from the egg. The feeding, growth and ecdyses of the larva are not shown until the two final moults which result in the formation of a pupa and are shown in time-lapse format. In the final moult the adult butterfly emerges from the pupa. See: |
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Honey Bees - Life Cyclefrom ScienceOnlineThis video has an audio commentary. The life cycle of a honey bee is presented as an example of complete metamorphosis, the development of an insect from egg to larva, then pupa, then adult. Moths, butterflies and wasps also develop with complete metamorphosis. Some aspects of beekeeping are also discussed. See: |
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Waggle Dancefrom sinankosakThis video has an audio commentary. A bee which has found a rich source of nectar will return to the hive and execute a dance on the surface of the comb. It takes the form of a figure eight with a straight section in the middle. The length of the straight section is proportional to the distance of the flowers from the hive, and the angle it makes with the vertical represents the angle between the position of the sun, the hive and the source of nectar. The dance takes place on a vertical comb and in the total darkness of the hive. These pictures are taken in a special 'observation hive'. See: |
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Blood Sucking Mosquitofrom zwielbackThe piercing stylets are forced through the skin and the labium is doubled up. The abdomen swells and turns red as it fills with blood. See: |
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Mosquito Larvae and Pupaefrom ccmvcdLarvae filter-feed nutrients from the water, while pupae no longer feed as they prepare to emerge out of their pupal case - and out of the water. Both forms wriggle to the surface and hang from the surface film while taking in air through their breathing tubes. See: |
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