Bugguide.net

Anyone with the slightest interest in nature will know the local deer, squirrels, cardinals, and raccoons, but perhaps know nothing about the most diverse animal group in the world: Insects. Insects are everywhere- in bathrooms, kitchens, and lawns, you name it. A mere garden or yard may hold dozens of species. Insects, however, do not seem to attract the same kind of attention as other creatures, say birds. We have birdfeeders. Bird conservation groups. And who could forget the sight of birdwatchers- binoculars at the ready- tripping over each other as they struggle to get a glimpse of a rare species. Somehow I can't see people doing that for a beetle or bumblebee. The only people who can learn, observe, and be knowledgeable about insects, it seems, are professional entomologists.

Thanks to technology, that statistic seems ready to change. At Bugguide.net, any interested person may create an account, submit photos of insects, and have them identified by an expert. Better yet, these photos are used to create a sort of online field guide and database. This not only provides people with a great source of knowledge, but also helps scientists studying these creatures. Any odd-looking bug that a hiker stumbles across has the potential to be a new or poorly-studied species.

Now that have a Bugguide account of my own, it's as if I've suddenly found new meaning in the world. The thought that every photo of mine somehow contributes to science never ceases to bring me a delightful, giddy feeling. Analyzing this from a broader perspective, it's this feeling that motivates scientists- or better yet- motivates humanity to discover.

This butterfly, which I photographed in my yard, is now part of the website's official guide. It's a Harvester- which is pretty rare and unusual for where I live.

Hello

If you've ever taken a biology class, you'll probably have heard of "evolutionary adaptation", "communities", "intraspecific competition", "commensalism" and other like terms that describe where certain organisms fit into the big picture. The spider dwelling on the wall behind your computer, for instance, is an small, eight-legged arthropod of the class arachnida. It is an insectivore, and like any other organism, plays a specific role in the local ecosystem (your basement).

But consider this: Where do you fit in? Where do humans fit in? Have we truly risen above the laws of nature? Are we exceptional beings destined to rule the planet, or are we just bundles of genetic material?

But before we address those questions, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Ari, an 18-year old student in his senior year of high school. I've been interested in science and the natural world for as long as I can remember. I delight in observing nature, which has led to a lifelong passion for birds, insects, and other forms of life. In addition to this, my academic background has brought me knowledge and a keen interest in the world of humanities. By writing this blog, I hope to blend these diverse interests and find common ground between nature and the humanities.

The main question I'll be addressing is what role nature, biology, and our own evolutionary background play in people's everday lives. What is instinctual, and what is learned? Which behaviors and habits of ours have their roots in evolution? What is the connection between humans and nature? How does nature affect the human mindset?

With newfound concepts and fields of study such as eco-psychology, perhaps there are answers to these fundamental questions.

Anyways, enough of that. Happy blogging!

-Ari