/oss/taxonomy/term/205/all en /oss/article/health-and-nutrition/edible-insect-revolution-not-those-shellfish-allergies <p>Even if it might gross us out now, experts predict that edible insects will play a significant role in our future diets. Not only are these bugs rich in protein and nutrients, but they can also be farmed more sustainably. For example, farmed crickets have a water footprint roughly <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/3/1801">1/3</a> the size of beef cattle, require <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/3/1801">50-90%</a> less land, and emit <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/3/1801">100 times</a> less greenhouse gas during the farming process.</p> Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000 Ada McVean M.Sc. 9380 at /oss /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-general-science/la-cucaracha <p>“Crazy bug!” That’s what the Spanish "cucaracha" means. Why crazy? Because when these darkness-loving bugs are surprised by a light being turned on, they scamper away in a wild, crazy, zig-zag pattern! What sort of bugs are we talking about? The cockroach!</p> <p>Some 4000 different species of cockroaches have been roaming the world for at least 300 million years. The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is the number one pest in North America and commonly infests homes, squeezes through cracks, and feeds on almost everything- from human food to wood, from soap to glue.</p> Wed, 27 Jul 2022 16:50:05 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9188 at /oss /oss/article/environment/when-drinking-tea-you-get-mouthful-bug-dna <p>There are bugs in your cup of tea. Not whole bugs (hopefully not). But the essence of a hundred species of insects can be found in that tea bag you buy from the store. Even if you have been sipping tea for decades, I don’t think you need to worry about turning into Jeff Goldblum from <i>The Fly</i>.</p> Fri, 08 Jul 2022 14:00:00 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 9167 at /oss /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-you-asked/spanish-fly-really-aphrodisiac <p>The extract contains cantharidin,  a substance that supposedly increases sexual desire. Not only does it not do that, it may eliminate all desire permanently. When ingested, cantharidin can kill. But when used in small doses topically, it can be an effective treatment for warts. </p> Fri, 03 Dec 2021 23:24:20 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8943 at /oss /oss/article/environment/plant-eats-bugs <p>The Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant well known for its ability to lure insects (and arachnids) into its “capture organ.” Once they enter there is no escape. The organ shuts tight and the digestion process begins. <em>Dionaea muscipula, </em>the actual name of the Venus flytrap,<em> </em>is native to small, wetland areas in North and South Carolina, however, people have taken a shine to it as a houseplant so it is now grown in many other locations.</p> Fri, 28 Aug 2020 11:59:20 +0000 Caitlin Bard, OSS Intern 8385 at /oss /oss/article/environment/bees-vs-wasps-case-mistaken-indentity <p><span>As a trained entomologist (insect biologist) I am innately irked when one of my beloved insects is mis-named in public, but especially so when a beneficial one is maligned by association with a more nuisance species. This does a disservice to all bees, when they are lumped together with their aggressive and bothersome cousins, the wasps.</span></p> Tue, 31 Jul 2018 16:09:30 +0000 Adam Oliver Brown PhD 7197 at /oss /oss/article/food-health-history-you-asked/you-asked-it-true-some-candies-are-coloured-insect-extract <p>Yes some candies and other foods can be coloured with cochineal extract which is an approved food additive. Hernan Cortez was the first European to learn about this colourant when he became intrigued by the beautifully colored Aztec fabrics. He learned that the source of the dye was what appeared to be seeds on a cactus plant. But closer scrutiny revealed that they were not seeds at all, they were little bugs. Today we know them simply as “cochineal” and the dye they yield as “carmine.”.</p> Sun, 22 Dec 2013 01:37:48 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2050 at /oss /oss/article/environment-food-health-quirky-science/critter-cuisine <p>We hear a lot about food these days. Whether it is about healthy choices, food security and feeding the planet, environmental impacts of food production or the science of GMO biotechnologies, hardly a day goes by without food appearing in our headlines.</p> <p>Curiously, the most readily available source of low-fat animal protein found just about anywhere in the world (outside of Antarctica) is largely ignored by most food cultures. It might be time we start talking about eating insects, or entomophagy.</p> Sat, 11 Jun 2016 06:14:31 +0000 Adam Oliver Brown PhD 2340 at /oss /oss/article/biology-environment/there-aint-no-cure-summertime-buzz <p>There’s a buzz in the air these days, a loud one. I’m sure you’ve heard it but it could have easily been mistaken for a malfunctioning drone plane stuck in the trees. The sounds of summer are slowly becoming dominated by the mating songs of male Cicadas, as their relatively long lives culminate in a grand finale. And it sure is noisy.</p> Sun, 14 Aug 2016 06:55:45 +0000 Adam Oliver Brown PhD 2351 at /oss /oss/article/environment/ants-our-homes <p>There are various insecticides that will eliminate ants. Chlorpyrifos is probably the most effective and is available in a number of commercial versions containing 0.5% of the active ingredient. It is also commonly used by professional exterminators who may have to drill holes in walls and spray in a mixture of chlorpyrifos and boric acid. Diazinon, another insecticide, when used as a spray at a concentration of around 12.5%, can also work well. And if the infestation is localized, ant traps with 0.125% chlordecone will work. Faced with an anthill? The answer is hot vinegar!</p> Mon, 19 Nov 2012 01:37:41 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1818 at /oss /oss/article/bombardier-beetle-and-its-chemical-bombs <p>Based on their ability to discharge “chemical bombs” when threatened, bombardier beetles are aptly named.  Beetles are different from other insects in that while they can fly, they cannot do so instantly. Their wings are stored under wing covers and have to be released before they can take to the air. Sort of like Clark Kent having to shed his everyday clothes before becoming Superman. Since beetles cannot instantly fly away when attacked, they have evolved emergency defenses to use while they plot their getaway.  </p> Mon, 13 Mar 2017 15:59:44 +0000 Dr. Joe Schwarcz 1542 at /oss /oss/article/general-science-history/carmine-dye-and-cochineal-insect <p>At least in a manner of speaking. When Hernan Cortez came to America in 1518 he was intrigued by the beautifully coloured Aztec fabrics, particularly the stunning reds. He asked the natives about the source of the colorant and was shown some specks on a cactus plant. Closer scrutiny revealed that the little specks were actually little bugs. Today we know them as Dactylopius coccus, or simply as cochineal. The dye that can be extracted from these insects is called carmine. Montezuma was so fond of it that he imposed a tax upon his subjects that had to be paid in dried cochineal bugs.</p> Wed, 15 Feb 2017 21:55:27 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1462 at /oss