Monday, October 01, 2012

Insects covered with dew

Click any image to enlarge
David Chambon has taken a series of photographs of insects covered with dew. They're quite striking. These are just a few samples, there are more at his link.

they led me to wonder how dew effects the physiology of insects. Insects breathe via openings in their exoskeletons called spiracles. These are connected, not to lungs, but to a series of tubes called trachea that spread through their bodies and deliver oxygen. One would think the dew would starve parts of the body of oxygen every morning (not to mention when it rains). I wonder if dew and rain just slows their metabolism down?  

(found via Wall to Watch which also has pictures)


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