sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I've posted something similar to this in the past and it continues to interest me so I'll share it once again. "Ever wonder how an insect breathes?" I did and this is what I have learned:

Insects, like humans, need oxygen to survive. We both take in the fresh air and expel carbon dioxide. However, that's where any similarities between us end.

For insects, air enters the respiratory systems through a series of external openings called spiracles. You can see them in this magnified focus stacked view of the side of a leaf-footed bug that I staged for this session. These "spiracles", which act as muscular valves in some insects, lead to the internal respiratory system which is comprised of a densely networked array of tubes called tracheae. Unlike humans where our circulatory and respiratory systems serve as one, an insect has two separate systems.

To simplify the concept of the insect respiratory system, let's think of it like a sponge. The sponge has small holes that allow water inside to moisten it. Similarly, the spiracle openings allow air into the interior tracheal system bathing the insect's tissues with oxygen. Carbon dioxide, which is a metabolic waste for most living creatures, exits the body through the spiracles.​ These spiracle "holes" have fine hairs that serve to keep dust and grit out and valves that help the muscles pump air in and out.

So....if you want to dispatch insects in an environmentally friendly way with no poisons for you and your pets to breathe in as you spray, make a heavy mix of liquid dish soap with a bit of water and use a spray bottle to spritz them and the glycerin in the soap will clog the holes and in seconds they will be "sleeping with the fishes".

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Quixdraw Loc: x

Excellent and interesting! Thanks!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Quickdraw. I know it's not for everyone however I enjoy sharing for those that may find it interesting.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Fascinating. And good garden advice too.

tinusbum Loc: east texas

nice stack,i cant believe i never wondered what those are

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Fotoartist. I use the somewhat thick solution of cheap liquid Dollar Store dish soap to dispatch the wasps around the house. I use a "pump tank-type sprayer" when I have to deal with a large nest.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Tinusbum, I suspect that you have often wondered that and much more being one of the masters of insect hunting and macro photography.

shangyrhee Loc: Nashville TN to Sacramento CA

Great Image & text !!! Thank you so much for sharing. Shang

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Shangyrhee. It's nice to know that others enjoy seeing my work.

napabob Loc: Napa CA

coolio......

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Napabob. Of course, they can also be easily seen with the stereo microscope too.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

A good demo of spiracles and the work they are responsible for.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Brenda. I have a natural curiosity about how things work and when I learned just how different the insects are from us I wanted to share it with others here.