Biophilia(v) A complete and utter love of nature.
Biophiliacs(n) Us and, hopefully, you.
About it: This site was designed for all biophiliacs. Here you can find references for great books, websites, and guides that will help you in whatever you're looking for about any of our topics. Also any questions you have on biology, zoology, entomology, or ecology, we would be happy to answer. We try to cover as many topics as possible. Including facts and info on scientists, information on global warming, indentification help, cool facts about animals and plants, biological descriptions of any plant/animal you want, and much more. As you may or should already know, the human race is destroying the planet. But as you may, or should know, there is still hope, but time is running out. So it's time to act. One of my donations as a lover of life on Earth, is that I am donating every single penny, or the only penny, that is made by this site to conservation organizations. So while you're researching and learning, maybe you'd be happy to know that you're making a difference.
About us: I am thirteen years old and I have done much research and work with biology. I am currently in progress of a year long in-depth study of a pond in Western Massachusetts. My partner is 59 years old and has had half a lifetime with work in nature. She is my mentor, guide, and friend. Together we have had many expeditions and have learned a lot together. She is very knowledgeable about plant and animal life. In her free time she guides hikes in the areas around the appalachain moutnains. Together we are happy to help you, or help you find someone else to help you, with any questions you have as a true biophiliac.
About you: We want you to use this lens to indulge your love of science and nature. Please feel free, and more than welcome to ask us as many questions as you can think of. For example:
I found this insect with 1 eye and pink fur, what is it??
I have always wondered why American Bull Frogs' longest digit isn't fully webbed, can you explain why?
E.O. Wilson explains that if all insects were exterminated, some catistrophic events would follow. What would these include?
I love nature more than anything in the world. Its intricate and interesting parts amaze me. I could spend hours just sitting by a pond, or on the jungle floor, observing. (Ok, maybe that's just us).
But, go ahead and try out what you want, fill your head with what you can, and indulge yourself.
Interesting Animal/Plant of the Day
One of the rarest and most beautiful flowering plants in the world is a flowering tree that grows solely in New Caledonia. It is named for the founder of New Caledonia, Captain Cook. The tree, Captaincookia was brought down to only a few patches left in the whole world. Recently efforts have been increased and their is hope yet for this magnificent plant. Interesting Fact of the Day
Honey Bees are the only animal besides humans with a documented language. Their language is composed of an intricate dance, that cannot only describe the coordinates of a patch of flowers, but can also describe the number of worker bees that should be sent to collect the pollen. Reader Feedback
If I am not for others, what am I?
Ask us questions, or tell us what you think. We will answer them by posting the question and answer on the site. Please say who is asking the question so that we can make it clear whose question we are answering.
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jenytopp
Maddie asked me if there are any other animals besides caterpillars/butterflies that transform themselves (from one form into another)? And what is the reason that this happens? Posted October 27, 2006 |
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tinka
There is a bird which chirps 4 times, then sometimes 3 times, then sometimes 5 times. The same sound. Early in the morning only- in late spring and summer. What is that bird and why does the bird song change so exactly from 3- 4-5? Posted October 27, 2006 |
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susanengel
Why does the sky seem particularly pink at sundown, during the month of November? Posted October 27, 2006 |
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jumping-bean
We've been watching a spider engineer a gigantic web on our porch. It is incredibly elaborate (and quite beautiful!) But, it is clearly visible to the naked eye. My son and I are wonder why flying bugs don't simply avoid the web. Is their vision poor? Do they even "see" like we do at all? Posted October 27, 2006 |
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danya
i am so happy that we biophiliacs have a way of communicating with each other now. the last time i was in the berkshires someone told me about a beetle that lives on pine trees and sneaks into houses for the winter. do you know anything else about them? how do they survive otherwise? Posted October 26, 2006 |
Answers and Responses
If not now, when?
Danya Sherman- There are many insects that use bark from trees as a shelter and home, but I think that specifically you are talking about a Pine Bark Beetle. Their eggs are layed in the bark, and when they hatch they begin eating bark and wood, and they burrow into a hole. For some reason they specifically like pine trees as a home. They can cause epidemics in areas by destroying forests of pine trees. They eat the bark as food, and by doing so they kill the tree. Pine Bark Beetles almost never have been found to use anything but pine trees as home and shelter. If you do not think this is the insect that you are talking about, please respond and I would be happy to supply information on other insects.
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jumping-bean- Insects actually do not see very similarly to how we do at all. Many insects, like flies, have eyes that are made up of many facetes, each of which reflect light differently. So the image they create is made up of many different tiny images. Also, insects' ability to create an image is much less advanced then our own. The light that comes through an insect's eye is transformed into a dot-like pattern. This pattern makes a shape that differs in contrast of light. Insects mainly can see motion, and a web does not move much either. So a web, that is visible to us might not be large enough or differ enough from its surroundings to be seen by a bug. If it does see the web, it might be once it is already caught in it. Thank you for your interesting question.
Link List
- Helpful and Accurate info
- Cornell is a very reliable source, and their site is filled with all sorts of interesting and helpful information. Just search their site for what you need.
- BUG GUIDE
- Found a bug and can't identify it? Bug guide is the place to go. It includes a blog to send in photos, and many pages and descriptions of all sorts of arthropods.
- Bird Identification
- An awesome site for identifying birds. Includes photos, drawings, descriptions, and even sound clips of bird calls.
- The Smallest Page on the Web
- A complete encyclopedia of pond microorganisms. Includes information, descriptions, pictures, and a virtual identification kit.
Great Stuff on Amazon
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders (National Audubon Society Field Guides)
Amazon Price: $15.64 (as of 10/12/2008)
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds--E: Eastern Region - Revised Edition
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 10/12/2008)
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers--E: Eastern Region - Revised Edition (National Audubon Society Field Guide)
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 10/12/2008)
100 Caterpillars: Portraits from the Tropical Forests of Costa Rica
Amazon Price: $30.36 (as of 10/12/2008)
The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 10/12/2008)
