Blessing in Disguise
What is ‘Camouflage’ ?
The word ‘Camouflage’ which originates from French which means ‘disguise’ or ‘concealment from disguise’ has been in use since the early 20th century. The one and only thing that revolves around the real life is the art of survival. Thus, the usage of bio-mimicry among organisms has become an important mechanism to avoid exposure. By camouflaging, animals blend with their natural surroundings to a level where their presence is almost undetectable. Insects too come under these category of organism where blending occurs via the change of phenotypes (body colours and shapes). Some insects have unusual patterns genetically which makes it impossible for us to see its body shape against a background. On the other hand, some insects have body structures which carry the resemblance of objects present in their environment such as leaves, branches, sticks, flowers and tree bark. This mechanism has been known to be one of the most profound method used by animals and insects to protect themselves from possible predators.
The art of camouflaging fall into three categories:
a) Crypsis – Act of blending in with their surrounding
b) Mimesis – Resemblance of the objects around their environment
Now, since you have received some informational dose on the basic information related to camouflaging, it’s now time to introduce to you the ‘Phantom’of the insect kingdom! Yes! We are referring to the insects that camouflage themselves.
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Posted in Natural Disaster |
A Lady in Red
Troides helena, April 30, 2012
Have you ever seen this movie before?
He is a ladybug name Francis in A Bug’s Life movie. By looking at him, do you know that he is a male ladybug? In this movie, He always being teased by the other bugs and mistaken for a female. So, this time, we will discuss about this adorable insect – LADY BIRD
Actually, not all ladybirds are “LADIES”. They are both male and female ladybirds. They are not bugs or birds but they belong to the family of beetles. Ladybugs have a variety of colors like yellow, orange, maroon, and scarlet. So, how ladybirds got their name???
Ladybugs are really ladybird beetles. Their name actually is originated in the middle Ages in Europe. Long time ago, there is a crop disaster happened in a small farming village. Without any effective solutions, the farmers began to beg to the Blessed Virgin Mary to send help in this calamity. Soon, there is a change in the crops, the dying foliage started to revitalize and lastly the greenness of crops once again reappeared on the landscape. Then, the farmers saw many small red bugs with black dots on their concave bodies just like a battle soldier. These small red bugs were eating the destructive pest – aphids. The villagers cheer with saying “Our Lady’s bugs, Our Lady’s beetle”. Consequently, this small bug has become a very familiar pest killer and people give their name as ladybugs.
The ladybug is considered as a symbol of good luck and some cultures even rear them as pets in many countries in the world. Generally they are considered as useful insects, because most of them feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields and orchards. Due to ladybugs huge appetite for crop pests, most of the farmers and gardeners welcome the presence of ladybugs as a blessing and idolize the insect as a lucky symbol.
They can be found worldwide, with over 5000 species described. Both adults and larvae live on plants like roses, oleander, milkweed and broccoli. During the winter, the adults will hibernate in large groups, frequently in mountains at high elevations.
Behavior
Most of the ladybug species are predators. They can be found on the same plants feeding on the same species of prey. They also consume flower nectar, water and honeydew as their supplement. However, only a few ladybug species are plants eaters.
Brightly colored of these ladybugs is to warn their predator that they are distasteful and toxic. Ladybugs can also protect themselves by pretend dead. By pulling their legs up “turtle-style”, and normally release a small amount of blood from their legs. The bad smell and the visible look of death usually prevent their predators. After the threat of danger has passed, the ladybug will return to its normal activities.
In addition, their bodies are not able to handle extreme cold. They will look for shelter when the weather begins to turn cold. During the winter, they rest quietly and this period is called diapause. During diapause, the ladybugs do not grow and they can go without food for 9 months during diapause.
Ladybug and their foods – aphids. www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_ladybirds/
Life cycle
www.willowridge.shs.k12.ny.us/WR_Teacher_Pages/sarnackij/Gr2%20Life%20Ladybug
Check out these fun facts about the ladybugs!!!
- Usually, the female ladybug is larger than the male.
- A female ladybug can lay more than 1000 eggs in her lifetime.
- The females will lay the infertile eggs as well as the fertile eggs.
- In average, the life cycle of a ladybug is between 4 to 6 weeks.
- A hard wing cover protects the ladybug’s fragile wings.
- A ladybug beats its wings 85 times a second when it flies.
- Ladybugs won’t fly if the temperature is below 13 degrees Celsius [55 F].
- The spots on a ladybug fade as they get older.
- Ladybugs use their antenna to smell, taste, and feel its way around.
- They can only see the difference between dark and light but they cannot see colors at all.
- Their larva is like mini alligator and their body adorned with spines.
- The ladybug do not bite, but they will pretend die with hides its legs and antenna under the body.
The emergence process of ladybug. www.kidzcraftz.ca/ladybugs.htm
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Posted in Insects |
Invasive Alien Species: Biodiversity’s Threat.
Painted Jezebel, April 13, 2012
How many of you have this images in your head when ‘invasive alien species’ is mentioned?
Now an alien from outer space may be fascinating, but in our environment today, invasive alien species are being a problem to our biodiversity. These ‘aliens’ are not exactly short green and big-headed creatures from planet X, but rather, familiar animals and plants being at the wrong place.
What is invasive alien species?
Modernization has allowed human to bring organisms into places where they are not found. For example a Malaysian beetle being brought into South America. When any non-native are introduced to an ecosystem to where they have no (or not enough) predators, they become dominant in the environment. They are called invasive alien species. Many of them disrupt the population of the local species and affect the habitats they invade.
How do they affect the environment?
Because invasive alien species do not have effective predators and survive well in the new environment, their population becomes out of control. This becomes the big problem to the food chain in that habitat. If they feed on plant, plants will be devastated. If they feed on other local animals, they drive these local species to extinction. If they are plants, they compete for nutrient & sunlight with local plants. Many alien species carry and spread germs that harms the local species.
Example of these aliens?
The Story of Feral Goats in Pinta Island
The Pinta Island, a member of the Galapagos Island host many unique species such as giant tortoises, marine iguana and fur seals. The beautiful place became an environmental nightmare when feral goats and other animals were introduced into the island by pirates. Feral goats impacted the vegetation badly by clearing off plants, leaving no food for the Pinta Giant Tortoises. So badly, that there is ONLY LAST KNOWN Pinta Giant Tortoise left in the world, named Lonesome George. He is now kept in Charles Darwin Research Center in Santa Cruz Island. Intensive efforts are being made to hopefully find Lonesome George a partner before it is too late for this subspecies.
Feral Goat. Source: Tree Of Life Web Project http://tolweb.org/Capra_hircus/51070
The Story of Yellow Crazy Ants in Christmas Island.
The Christmas Island’s ecology is another victim to invasive species. Ever since the yellow crazy ant was accidentally introduced, Christmas Island was never the same again. As the name suggest, these ants become erratic and turns into complete crazies when they are disturbed. These crazy ants feeds on wide variety of food including seeds, grains, decaying matter, vertebrate corpses but worse of all, arthropods. These ants are capable of attacking arthropods like insects and crabs, and dragging them into their colony. The Christmas Island’s red ground crabs are often the victim of these ants. Because the crabs has an annual migration, their movement disturb ant colonies, which resulted in huge red crab massacre. They have killed 30% of the initial crab population, which is about 20 million crabs! Studies has also shown that many other wildlife in Christmas Island had reduced in population numbers ever since the yellow crazy ants invaded.
Yellow crazy ants dragging away a lizard. Source: Wikepedia.
That’s not just it
These are just 2 of the many stories of invasive alien species. There are many more known trouble makers, around the world such as the Asian Carp in America, Burmese pythons, Zebra mussels, Lion fish, Africanized bees and Cane toads. Not forgetting rats that has invaded many-many parts of the world, and carry deadly diseases. One of it was the Black Death, where the plague killed 30-60% of Europe’s people between 1348-1350. European rabbits are known to be a great devastator to Australian, where 24 rabbits released in 1859 had multiplied to 600 million in 1937. They ate up vegetations, removed topsoil and threatened local species.
Invasive alien species has indeed been a serious problem to our biodiversity. Based on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 20,435 species of plants and animals are affected by invasive species, including 801 that was declared extinct. These stories should be a lesson to mankind on the importance of preserve how nature has been placed. These are also lessons to us to realize how small things lead to big problem. There’s always a reason and purpose for different things to be at their designated habitat and environment. Nature has always been the smart one 
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Posted in Mother Nature |
Stuffs about our Staffs: Botanist
Painted Jezebel, March 9, 2012
This time in Stuff about our Staffs is featuring a very special and experience person in the farm, Mr. Zaino Alam or better known as Pak Alam. He is the botanist of Penang Butterfly Farm, responsible for the plant care and the landscape.
He’s been serving the farm for a really, really long time. He was involved with the farm setup before the opening in 1986, before leaving some time later to work elsewhere for a few years. He then came back to work in Penang Butterfly Farm in 1999 and had been faithfully serving until now. However Pak Alam’s job as caretaker of plants dated way back before then. He started in 1974 as a garderner, with the salary of RM30 per month. Yes, you read that right, RM30 per month (approximately 9.90USD). He was only 16.
His skills and experience are not just plant care but deeper into the beneficial uses of plants for medical purposes and survival skills of venturing in the forest. His passion for botany started as a teenager, alongside with the love for bonsai, and antiques. He had to leave school after completing Primary 6 (12 years old) due to poverty, but that did not stop him from learning and doing what he enjoy most.
When I asked what is his favourite plant, he smiled widely and said, “Orchids. Definitely orchids.” As I join in his giggles, he adds “but not the common and easy orchids. I love the wild ones, the challenging ones. The orchids that people tell me it is difficult to rear, difficult to bloom, that is the orchid that I’ll love. The more difficult it is, the better. Like this one…” and he pointed to an orchid plant. “Bulbophyllum beccari. People told me it takes 1-2 years to see it bloom. It takes me just a few weeks,” he said with a smile of a humble victor.
Just by hearing him share a little knowledge about an orchid, you’ll know how experience and how deep his passion is for plants without directly hearing him saying so. It’s almost unbelievable that this man never attended high school. “I learn from people who are more experienced and knowledgeable than me. I humbly ask them questions and learn from them,” he said with his wrinkled yet gentle smile when I asked where he mostly get his botanical knowledge from.
He then talks about how we should humble ourselves to learn and never feel afraid of sharing this knowledge to anyone. He said, “We should never stingy with knowledge and should never be afraid that people who absorbs knowledge from us become greater than us.” He continues with his principal, “There’s a piece of meat in here,” as he points where the heart is, “and if that piece of meat is stinks, the person as a whole stinks. I want live what my religion taught me.”
My last question was what would he advice young people who are still pursuing their future careers. “Go for what you love, not money. You know what is the problem of young people these days? They go for the money, and live an unhappy working life. Loving what you do means, things you enjoy doing at home are the same as what you do at work. And more importantly seek for the experience, not the certificate. Experience is priceless. You can have as many certificates to form a long line, but in the end of the day its your experience and skills that people look for.”
Hope you’re inspired by Pak Alam’s wise words! We are grateful to have this great botanist. The next time you come to Penang Butterfly Farm, feel free to learn from him if you happen to spot him.
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Posted in Stuffs about our Staffs |
Valentine’s Day in Our Own Way!!
Bodhi Dharma, February 15, 2012
Valentine’s Day is here and our farm is filled with all the lovely ambience fluttering around to usher and embrace these wonderful event.An array of exciting events were arranged exclusively for our beloved visitors for them to cherish and remember these day, in their very own way!!Come lets check out those cute,candid shots all in the name of happiness and fun 
Jess & Steven all geared up in preparations for the Butterfly Origami session!! Thats the spirit guys!
Pen down the feeling of love at our 'Message Writing Corner'.
Butterfly origami making and message writing corner were the few events carried out,making our visitors create their paper butterfly thus presenting it to their partners!!
How big can you blow a bubble Come on Cassie!!
Our friendly staffs were happily blowing bubbles all in the name of Valentine’s.
Fun time with our visitors
Our visitors were delighted with the warm welcome and friendly environment,thanks to our ever dedicated staffs
Introducing the origami butterfly!!Doesnt it look like the real one?..Wow!!
A valentine's smile..very sweet!!
Celebrating Valentine’s with mother nature was definitely a wonderful experience for our visitors
Cute & attractive souvenirs were sold exclusively for Valentine's!!
Sweets anyone??
Senior citizens joined the fun too..
Our senior visitors were very thrilled and pleased to experience these very day.Some felt it brought back sweet memories during their younger days and cant believe time ran so fast!!
A happy family
Small ones were also enhancing the farm's environment
Tacca,carrying the message of love
Tacca, one of our nature’s ambassador, came in to join the fun.She was so excited and just couldn’t stop entertaining our visitors who were equally thrilled with her presence.Good job Tacca!!
The swing of love was definitely a major attraction whereby most of our visitors couldn’t resist to get a photo shot,what more as Tacca was around.
Happy Valentine's Day Butterfly Farm
So folks,Valentine’s day will always be celebrated and cherished as far as our farm is concern.We had a great day filled with lots of joy and fun all thanks to our very friendly visitors and not forgetting our beloved staffs.Hope to catch you guys soon with more interesting updates from our farm..HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
For more photos, check out our facebook page. Cheers~
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Posted in Events & Workshops, Latest News |
Love is in the air~
Painted Jezebel, February 14, 2012
Valentine’s Day is here once again. It’s the time of the year when you’ll get to see more roses, teddy bears, nicely wrapped chocolates and everywhere seems themed with cupids and heart shapes. Men planning their words and acts for romantic dates while women are all doll up for it. All these effort in courting done to impress partners are surprisingly happening to not only us human beings, but to insects too!
Smell good to look good
Many insects are known to release some kind of ‘perfume’ to them, called pheromone. Male butterflies are known to release pheromone to signal their presence to a female they pursue. We humans may not know how they smell like, but perhaps to the female butterflies, they smell like one of those Hugo Boss perfume.
As for moths, the females release their ‘Chanel No.5’ and the male who caught the scent will pursue her. Sometimes it’s a race between males, since whoever found the lady first, he’ll win her. In some species, the males, with their specialized antennae are able to track them from as far as 2 kilometres. Girls, you might want to ask the moths for some perfume selection tips.
What you see is what you get
The sight is one important feature or channel for insects to find their mate. Male butterflies will flutter around and when he recognize the patterns the female of their kind, they will proceed to their next move.
source: anneofcarversville.com
Visual signals are important to fireflies in finding their mate. The males will be flying around, flashing the ‘light bulb’ on their abdomen. Each species displays different flash patterns or pulses. The females are known to be picky and would only respond to flashes that attract her most. Outer appearance matters to some beetles, particularly the females (sounds familiar?). Male beetles are usually the more striking looking ones compared to females because of this. And usually the females will choose the ones with most striking colours or bigger spots or brilliant pattern.
Songs and serenade
source: sunsetwestproductions.com
There’s a big reason why you hear crickets breaking silence with their chirps. They’re not just for sound effects, but that’s their bait for a mate. The male cricket chirps for attention and any captivated females would come approaching. While mosquitoes’ buzz maybe the most irritating sound to hear in bed but apparently its what they need to win a partner. In this interesting courtship, the male and female mosquitoes hum in different frequency, where male have higher one. Once they found each other, the females will increase her frequency, while the male lowers his. This frequency adjustment is made until at one point, they reach a perfect harmony.
Presents!
And you thought you’re the only one who enjoys getting presents?
source: accessscience.com
To win the ladies, a male hangingfly needs to get her the perfect gift. Not flower bouquets, or chocolates, but he will have to catch a prey (usually insects and spiders) and present it to her. If she likes the meal, she’ll mate with him and if she doesn’t she’ll refuse. Apparently, the bigger the meal is, the more attractive it is. So we humans are not the only creatures who enjoy a nice meal for a date.
So you think you can dance?
If you’re a person who thinks that a good dancer is a good charmer, then you’re not the only one. Many butterflies perform, what we call a ‘courtship dance’ before they copulate. The male butterflies would fleet near his target and start fluttering right above her in special patterns. If the female is interested, she will then join him in the dance. We’re not sure what are her criteria for a romantic dance, faster shuffling or graceful moves or robotic dance. Whatever it is, when she said ‘I do’, together, they will flutter around before finding a sheltered spot to mate.
So, got some ideas of how to impress your partners tonight? Hopefully these bugs have not only inspired some romantic performance for today, but also help us appreciate our wonderful nature as we learn from them. Have a lovely Valentine’s Day!
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Posted in Insects, Mother Nature |
Malaysian’s Pride
Bodhi Dharma, February 1, 2012
Hey folks!!What is your first impression when you hear the name TIGER?.eemm!!.Man eaters!!Fierce, Powerful, Brilliant stealth hunters, Merciless, and the list goes on!!..But hey these amazing creature plays an important role and is regarded highly in one country!!Do you know which country is that?..Yes our very own beloved country, Malaysia. Therefore we are going to discuss and share with you guys some information that you would like to know about the tiger. Do you know that tigers are the largest cat of all,(Panthera tigris) including lions, leopards and cheetahs.Wow.
Our pride.
Generally tigers are widely distributed throughout the Asia continent and are classified according to their species. So the tiger species which is endemic to our country is the Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni). The Malayan tiger is the national animal of Malaysia. It is regarded as the pride and symbol of strength in Malaysia. We Malaysians have got great respect and love for these magnificent creature.
Malayan Tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni)
Malayan tiger!! He's one angry cat!!
Picture source.wildasia.org
Since the characteristics of a tiger is highly regarded and admired, a tiger is depicted in the coat arm of Malaysia, symbolizing the government, and appears in various heraldry of Malaysian institutions such as Royal Malaysian Police, Maybank, Proton and Football Association of Malaysia.
Malaysia's Coat of Arm
Royal Malaysia Police logo
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)
Maybank's logo
It symbolizes bravery and strength to Malaysians. It is also the nickname for the Malaysian Football team. The tiger has been given various nicknames by Malaysians, notably “Pak Belang,” which literally means “Uncle Stripes.”
'Pak Belang'-the nick name for tiger in Malay language
Habitat and Diet
Since it’s the top predator of food chain,Tigers are generally carnivores(meat eaters). Therefore the devour especially on smaller mammals, like deer, boars, goats and also poultry birds. Due to their agility, speed, stealthy attacks and enormous strength, it makes them one of the most fearsome predators of all time. In Malaysia, they are distributed. Tigers in Malaysia are found mainly found in Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, and Pahang. There are no tigers in the east Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. This magnificent creature is widely distributed throughout Peninsular Malaysia except for islands and certain small states such as Perlis, Penang, and Malacca.
Agile and stealthy hunter
Its got a big appite
Its able to take on prey bigger than its size
Picture sources : tigerworldnews & the telegraph.uk
Mating season happens throughout the year, although it has been suggested that tiger reproduction, in Peninsular Malaysia, might have a seasonal peak around November to March. Female tigers reach maturity when they are about 3 years old, a year ahead of males.
Mother tigers are very protective over their cubs
Relatives of the Malayan tiger.
The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent
I hail from India
The Indochinese tiger or Corbett’s tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) is a subspecies of tiger found in Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand, and Vietnam and formerly in China.
You can find me in the upper regions of the South East Asian countries
The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is a tiger subspecies that inhabits the Indonesian island of Sumatra and has been classified as critically endangered.
"Im kindda endangered.So please stop poaching on me!!TQ!!"
Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), also known as the Amur tiger, is a tiger subspecies inhabiting mainly the Sikhote Alin mountain region with a small sub population in southwest Primorye province in the Russian East.
Im the biggest subspecies in the world & I love the snow!!
The South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) is a tiger subspecies that was native to the provinces in southern China, and has been classified as critically endangered by IUCN since 1996.
Im from China!!Im about to extinct!! Please help me out!!Thank you..
Sadly the exploitation of tiger is exponentially raising to an alarming stage.Tigers are being hunted and killed brutally by unscrupulous poachers who are so obsessed with money unaware of the damage their causing to the environment.Tigers have a great demand among mankind as a source for medicinal purposes,delicacy and super natural beliefs.There is a whole underground black market with enormous networks distributed across the globe operating these multi million dollar ‘tiger business’. Whats the fate of our tigers then?
Have a look!!
Dried & preserved tiger skin.
Tigers brutally killed to obtain their organs & body parts for human needs.
Picture sources: dailymail.uk.com &bushwarriors.com
Traditional believes which are still practiced till today using tiger body parts are:
- The tail of the tiger is sometimes ground and mixed with soap to create an ointment for use in treating skin cancer.
- The bones found in the tip of the tiger’s tail are said to ward off evil spirits.
- Crushed tiger bones added to wine serve as a Taiwanese general tonic.
- The feet of a tiger, when dipped in palm oil and hung in front of a door, are said to diminish the likelihood of evil spirits from entering.
- Tiger’s skin is said to cure a fever caused by ghosts. To use it effectively, the user must sit on the tiger’s skin, but beware. If too much time is spent on the tiger’s skin, legend says the user will become a tiger.
- Adding honey to the gallstones and applying the combination to the hands and feet is said to effectively treat abscesses.
- Burnt tiger hair can allegedly drive away centipedes
- Mixing the brain of a tiger with oil and rubbing the mixture on your body is an alleged cure for both laziness and acne.
- Rolling the eyeballs into pills is an alleged remedy for convulsions.
- The whiskers are used to cure toothaches.
- One will allegedly possess courage and shall be protected from sudden fright by wearing a tiger’s claw as a piece of jewellery or carrying one in a pocket.
- Strength, cunning, and courage can allegedly be obtained by consuming a tiger’s heart.
- Floating ribs of a tiger are considered a good luck talisman.
- The tiger’s penis is said to be an aphrodisiac.
- Small bones in a tiger’s feet tied to a child’s wrist are said to be a sure cure for convulsions.
Beyond the law of humanity!
Humans are the sole cause of their extinction
Picture source: Tigerblogfest 2010
Modern medicine research have found that
- Tiger claws: used as a sedative for insomnia
- Teeth: used to treat fever
- Fat: used to treat leprosy and rheumatism
- Nose leather: used to treat superficial wounds such as bites
- Tiger bone: used as an anti-inflammatory drug to treat rheumatism and arthritis, general weakness, headaches, stiffness or paralysis in lower back and legs and dysentery
- Eyeballs: used to treat epilepsy and malaria
- Tail: used to treat skin diseases
- Bile: used to treat convulsions in children associated with meningitis
- Whiskers: used to treat toothaches
- Brain: used to treat laziness and pimples
- Penis: used in love potions such as tiger soup, as an aphrodisiac
- Dung or feces: used to treat boils, hemorrhoids and cure alcoholism
SAY NO TO TIGER BODY PARTS!!
Conservation statues.
Tigers are currently listed as “Endangered” on the International Union of the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the world’s largest cat, and it is also the most threatened with extinction. As recently as 100 years ago, there were as many as 100,000 wild tigers living in Asia. Today, fewer than 3,200 remain.
Six subspecies of tigers continue to persist, but three have gone extinct in the last 80 years.
The existing subspecies are the Bengal, Indochinese, Sumatran, Amur, Malayan, and the South-China subspecies (although no signs of the South-China subspecies have been recorded in the wild in the last 10 years).
Extinct Species
The three extinct subspecies include the Javan (last recorded in the 1970′s), Caspian (lost in the 1950′s) and the Bali subspecies (lost in the 1930′s). These tigers were eradicated from the face of earth due to uncontrolled poaching.
Javaness Tiger!
This photograph of a live Javan tiger was taken in 1938 at Ujung Kulon and published in A. Hoogerwerf's "Ujung Kulon:
Skin of the Javan tiger in 1915!Long time ago!!
Picture sources
etermaas & Tropenmuseum
Caspian tiger!
Caspian tiger killed in Northern Iran, early 1940’s, © Boomiran/The Tiger Foundation
Caspian or Turanian tigers (Panthera tigris virgata)
Picture sources :www.tiger.ca. & nfwf.org
Balinese tiger!
The only known photograph of a Bali tiger (extinct in 1937)
Artist impression on the Baliness Tiger
Picture source: www.uwec.edu & its nature.org.
Therefore I have to say that it is in our hands to determine the fate of these amazing creatures.We were given the special ability by God to administer the world to live harmoniously among humans and other living organisms,in order to preserve and reserve the beauty of mother nature from further damage and extinctions.So please stop poaching in order for our younger generation to witness the greatness and legacy of the TIGER.
Picture source:travelinthailand.org & conferenceofbirds.net
STOP THE KILLINGS!LOVE THE TIGER!!SAVE THE TIGER!!
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Posted in Mammals |
Understanding Genetic Engineering & Its Future Prospects
Today, as the world is heading into an era of high technology and mass development, our natural environment is being exploited without our realization. The land once we had as farms, are transformed into a fortress of steel, concrete and cement. What more as the quality of human health has improved tremendously over the years, regarding to new discoveries and technologies being introduced into the medical world.
Deforestation
Studies have shown that the human population is exponentially rising with the ratio of human birth outstands to the ratio of human death. Therefore in order to support these alarming rise in the human population, more food must be produced for human consumption.
According to studies from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, it estimates that farmers will have to produce 70% more food by 2050 to meet the needs of the world’s expected nine billion population. That amounts to one billion tons more wheat, rice and other cereals and 200 million more tons of cows and other livestocks.
Are we heading in this direction?
However the controversial takes place to cater to the uprising human populations with dwindling farm land. Is there solutions for these problems?
Yes, scientists have introduced new approaches to cope with these problems. The introduction of genetic engineering to produce genetically modified food. Genetic engineering is the introduction of a selected DNA(Deoxyribonucleic acid) to an organism to improve and enhance its trait for mankind’s benefit and interest.
Genetic engineering - scientist in laboratory, GMO testing experiment
Illustration of introducing selected DNA to host DNA
Actually breeding was the conventional way of genetic engineering. Humans modify food organisms include selective breeding; plant breeding, and animal breeding in order increase the quality of their food product. For an example, cows were selective breed with others species of cows (interspecies mating) to enhance the quantity and quality of its milk, meat, immune system and maturation process.
What sort of genetically engineered food are available and are they safe?
Foodstuffs made of genetically modified crops that are currently available (mainly maize, soybean, and oilseed rape) have been judged safe to eat, and the methods used to test them have been deemed appropriate. These conclusions represent the consensus of the scientific evidence surveyed by the International Council for Science (ICSU) and are consistent with the views of the World Health Organization (WHO).
There are 5 steps involve in these process
Step 1 – Plasmid is isolated from the bacteria.
- What is a plasmid?
Plasmid is a DNA molecule that is separate from, and can replicate independently. - Why do we use a plasmid?
It acts as a transporter whereby it carries the desired gene which was initially incorporated in the coding region(in red). - What is a coding region?
Coding region is the region whereby the desired genes located which are later fitted in like a jigsaw to the plasmid region.(in black).There are 3 regions which are the promoter(beginning),marker(middle) and terminator(ending). - Why only bacteria plasmid used widely in genetic engineering?
It is because bacteria is a simple cell, therefore the process of identification and isolation is simple and effective. Another reason is that the plasmid has got a virulence factor corresponding exclusively to Agrobacterium. - So what is the function of these virulence factor and where is it located?
The virulence factor plays an important role in incorporating the plasmid into the host cell and its located in the plasmid itself nearby the coding region(in red).Therefore it helps the plasmid to get incorporated into the host genome(plant cell) - How is the bacteria plasmid going to be inserted into the host genome?
There are several ways to transfer a recombinant plasmid inside the host genome. The best way is using a microprojectile gun. It function is as similar to a gun, but instead of bullet, plasmid is used as a replacement. - How are we suppose to know where is the plant genome?
The genome is located in the nuclei of the plant cell. Further magnification can be viewed by using the electron microscope
Step 2 – The recombinant DNA carried by the plasmid are incorporated into the plant cell.(using the microprojectile gun)
Step 3 – Those transformed plant cells are suspended on a media to undergo plant cell culture under aseptic conditions.
Genetically modified plants grows inside petri plate with sufficient nutrient given
- What is a media?
A media acts as a reservoir of nutrients containing essential enzymes and hormones which would induce cell growth. - What is aseptic conditions?
Aseptic conditions means sterile conditions, whereby these whole cell culture should be free from contamination and carried out in fume hoods. - How to identify the growth of these plant cell?
These cell plants undergo differentiation to form a callus which as they are totipotent.
What is a callus?
A mass of undifferentiated cells derived from plant tissue (explants) - What is totipotent?
Is the ability of a single cell to divide and produce all the differentiated cells in an organism. - How are we going to mass produce these single cell plant culture?
Subculturing - What is subculturing?
The original cell culture on the media is left to differentiate to form a callus.The callus is later sliced to several pieces and suspended on different plates containing the same amount of nutrient and enzymes. This will lead to mass production of the new genetically modified plants.
Step 4 – Plant regeneration?
- How do we evaluate when the plants regenerate?
The formation of stem, leaves and roots are visible.
Step 5 – Plant acclimatization?
- What is plant acclimatization?
It is the adaptation period of the plants being exposed to the natural climate, corresponding to temperature, moisture, humidity and photoperiod.
The positive sides of genetic engineering
High demands are promised for genetically modified crops. Native rice strains have helped to save rice crops from the impact of disease and pests. Wild wheat have helped save commercial crops. Crops can be grown where they have never grown before. It is here that the rural poor scrape out a weak existence and wildlife clings to a last place of refuge. High benefits of genetically modified crops include the ability to resist herbicides.
Calfs engineered for leaner meat
Genetically modified corn(herbicide resistance)
Genetically engineered bacteria used for vaccination
Negative side of genetic engineering
Genetic engineering also have raised lots of negative implications via the years of its introduction. One of the organisms which are affected by these technology is the Monarch butterflies. Studies has shown pollen from genetically engineered corn plants is toxic to monarch butterflies.(May 20,1999,Nature’s Magazine).
- But how are these butterflies affected from a pollen of a corn??
- These corns were genetically modified by insertion of a toxin from a potent bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
- Why was the corn genetically modified to carry these toxins?
Mainly for pest control. It is because to prevent insects attack which may affect the productivity of the corn.
- How do these butterflies take up the toxin from the pollen?
Corn plants produce huge quantities of pollen, which dusts the leaves of plants growing near corn fields. So the caterpillars of these Monarch butterflies which dwells on the milkweed leaves nearby happen to consume these deadly pollens without their realization.
- What are the effects of these genetically modified grains (Bt corn)to the caterpillars and the Monarch butterflies?
The Nature study found that close to half the monarch caterpillars that fed on milkweed leaves dusted with Bt corn pollen died. Surviving caterpillars were about half the size of caterpillars that fed on leaves dusted with pollen from non-engineered corn. The same case study was implied with the monarch butterflies and the results proved similar which is mortality.
Monarch caterpillar
The beauty of these monarch butterflies is that their noted for their remarkable annual migration, which takes them from central Mexico in the winter to as far north as Minnesota in the summer. In the summer months, the Midwestern corn belt is home to about half the US population of monarch butterflies.
According to Dr.Rebecca Goldburg “It would be tragic if genetically engineered crops decimated populations of monarch butterflies similar to the way that DDT decimated populations of bald eagles and other birds,”
Dead Monarch Butterflies from Bt toxin poisoning
Therefore stringent laws should be re-enforced and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which regulates pesticides, must take action to protect monarchs from poisoning by Bt corn.
Future hopes
Genetic engineering is definitely a great breakthrough in terms of substituting land scarcity for agriculture and eradicating starvation.But one should also never neglect and exploit mother nature in order to sustain a balance and healthy ecosystem.
However it would be a great breakthrough to experiment the glowing effect of butterflies as they are magnificent insects. It is definitely a great opportunity to carry out a research by incorporating the genes of the glowing jellyfish into the wings of the butterfly to produce a glowing butterfly. Wouldn’t it be great and beautiful to see such a magnificent creature glowing. I personally feel that it would one of the most beautiful creature ever to be witnessed.
Glowing butterfly concept
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Posted in Food |
Weird ways of using insects.
Painted Jezebel, December 15, 2011
Insects are among the most diverse group of animals, with about over 1 million species described. And aside from the diversity of their species and characteristics, there is such diversity in how we human utilize them. I’m sure many of you are familiar with bee-keeping for bee products, and insects as biological controls for unwanted plants, or even insects being eaten! Here’s a few more that might be new to you… but they sure are weird!
1. Bees stings and medicine.
source: altmedicinezone.com
Have you heard of Bee Venom Therapy? While generally people avoid bees because of the fear for their sting, here’s a therapy that forces bees to sting you. Ouch! It may sound awful, but bee venom is known to have many properties that are medically beneficial. This includes anti-inflammatory agents (to reduce inflammation), as well as anti-bacterial properties (to kill bacteria).
Bee Venom Therapy is believed to be good for multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease and chronic fatigue. In the older days, they are used to treat arthritis, back pain and skin diseases. In this therapy the bees are stimulated to sting at affected area or what they call acupuncture points. The success of this therapy is very much debated and there are research proving its ineffectiveness. Well, effective or not, isn’t it weird?
2. Bees and wars.
source: seabeesmuseum.com
Bees seem to be useful in so many ways, not only human take advantage of their hard-working character to produce honey, we force them to sting as a therapy and in ancient time, their whole hive are used as ‘bombs’. Apparently, in history, the Romans catapult in bee hives to their enemies, unleashing angry bees as a distraction. The same strategy were used by the English armies and and Portugese. Some others set bee hives in front of their fortress or as barricades in their cities as a defence strategy against advancing enemies.
3. Dermestid beetles and skulls.
Cleaning up! (source: wattsskulls.com)
So here’s a combination of two creepy things: skulls and flesh-eating beetles. Ever wondered how museums, exhibitions and suppliers clean up their animal skull or skeletons? Yeap, they leave that job for the Dermestids beetles to do. Dermestid beetles are insects of the family Dermestidae. However, not all the members of this family are flesh-eaters.
After (source: bonesandbugs.com)
Their ferocious appetite for dead meat are particularly useful for skull cleaning as they would clear every inch of flesh, even in the deepest and difficult angle. All this without causing damage to the bones, the way human tools would. They are even bred by exhibitors and suppliers just for this purpose. But to reduce the creeps, these Coleopterans feed only on dead flesh and do not seem to have the appetite for living things. Phewh!
4. Beetles and accessories.
Beetle Brooch (source: weird-websites.info)
There is a family of beetles known as Jewel beetles, which are scientifically known as family Buprestidae. They are named so because of beautiful metallic colouration, which resemble jewels. They have huge varieties in colour including emerald green, metallic blue, red, yellow, purple… you name it. Ironically, because of the jewel-like features of these Jewel beetles, they are also made into jewellery. Literally out of the elytra (the hard forewings) of the bugs themselves. They are made into brooches, earrings, rings and pendants.
5. Insect fights.
Insect fights had been part of the cultures in Asia, including China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines. In these places, insects such as stag beetles, rhinoceros beetle and crickets are kept as pet for this purpose. Cricket fighting dated way back to the Tang Dynasty of China (618-907). Beetle fightings are especially interesting and it involves only male beetles.At the tournament, the beetles are triggered to battle by placing a female before them, or by noise-maker which imitates the female’s call for mating. The winners are determined by one insect pushing its opponent out of the ring, or when its opponent is being flipped over.
Its like mini sumo, isn’t it?
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Posted in Insects, Natural Disaster |