Hello, I'm Science Xiaoquan, a creator of Baijia who focuses on popular science content. Today I would like to introduce you to a classic book of biology, that is, "Insects". This book is a French entomologist and writer Fabre who spent his life and energy observing the life and habits of various insects, and then recorded the wonderful world of insects with vivid language and touching stories. The book is divided into ten volumes, each of which is divided into 17 and 25 chapters, each of which depicts the life of one or more insects in detail and profoundly, and includes a number of biographical essays that tell about experiences and reminiscences of the past. This book is not only a scientific encyclopedia, but also a famous work full of literary charm, known as the "epic of insects". Below, I will give you an overview of the content of each chapter of "Insects", hoping to stimulate everyone's interest and curiosity about insects.
Insects, vol. 1.
Chapter 1 On Ancestral Tradition In this chapter, Fabre recounts his closeness to things in the natural world, as well as the circumstances of his ancestors and family. He believes that his character and hobbies are not inherited from his ancestors, but his own choices and creations.
Chapter 2 The Mysterious Pond Fabre describes how he dug a small pond in his yard with various aquatic animals such as tadpoles, salamanders, stone silkworms, etc. He observed their growth and changes, as well as their habits and characteristics.
Chapter 3 Stone Silkworm Fabre introduced the living habits of stone silkworms, which are the larvae of stone silkworm moths, and will make a small sheath out of dead branches and hide them inside to prevent enemy attacks. Their small sheath is an elaborate woven work of art composed of the root bark of the plant.
Chapter 4 Dung Beans Fabre describes the habits of dung beetles, which feed on animal feces, rolling their dung into a ball with their hind legs, then pushing it to a suitable place and burying it as a place for food or egg-laying. Fabre also reveals the wisdom and skill of dung beetles and why they were considered sacred beetles in ancient Egypt.
Chapter 5 Cicadas Fabre describes the habits of cicadas, insects that feed on the sap of plants, and use straws to pierce the stems of plants to absorb nutrients. They also emit a loud chirp to attract companions or drive away enemies. Fabre also refuted the fable's metaphor of the cicada as a symbol of laziness, pointing out that the cicada is actually a hard-working producer, while the ant is a tenacious beggar.
Chapter 6 Plasterer Bees Fabre describes the habits of plasterer bees, which are bees that build nests out of mud and under eaves or walls. Their nest is an elaborate architectural work, composed of a mud mixture of earth and water. They will also put some insects in their nests as food for the larvae.
Chapter 7 Praying Mantis Fabre describes the habits of the praying mantis, which are carnivorous insects that feed on other insects, grabbing their prey with their front legs and then devouring them. Their posture is solemn, as if they are praying, so they were called prophets or praying praying mantis by the ancient Greeks. They also have a cruel habit of eating males after mating.
Chapter 8 The Bees, the Cats, and the Red Ants Fabre recounts that he had done an experiment to test whether the bees had the ability to recognize directions, and he put some bees in paper bags, took them to a distance, and then let them go to see if they could fly back to their original honeycombs. He discovers that bees do have this ability, and they are also able to resist the interference of cats and red ants, successfully returning to their homes.
Chapter 9 The Mining Bee Opening the Tunnel Fabre introduced the habits of the mining bees, which are bees that dig tunnels in the dirt and put insects at the end of the tunnel as food for the larvae. Their tunnels are a complex project with multiple branches and exits, capable of preventing enemy incursions.
Chapter 10 Fireflies Fabre describes the habits of fireflies, which are insects that glow on their tails and use light signals to attract companions or prey. Their food is snails, and they paralyze them with venom and then eat them. Their luminescence mechanism is a magical chemical reaction that produces cold light without wasting heat energy.
Chapter 11 Tubeworms Fabre introduced the habits of tubeworms, which are insects that hide in a small tube made of dead branches or grass stems. Their tubules are a simple protective device capable of protecting against enemy attacks. Their bodies are also soft and able to stretch freely in small tubes.
Chapter 12 Cicadas: Cicada Eggs Fabre describes the process of reproduction of cicadas, which lay eggs on dry branches, prick a row of small holes with a sharp tool, and then place the eggs inside. Their eggs hatch in the branches, and then the larvae fall to the ground, burrow into the earth, and begin their long underground life.
Chapter 13 Cicadas: The Larvae of the Cicada Fabre describes the habits of the cicada's larvae, which live for years in the soil, piercing the roots of plants with straws to absorb nutrients. They have a hard body and are able to dig tunnels in the dirt. Their lives are monotonous and do not change until they are ready to turn into adults.
Chapter 14 The Cicada: The Cicada** Fabre describes the process by which the cicadas emerge from the soil at the right time, climb onto the trunk of a tree or the stem of a grass, and then emerge from their shells and become adults. Their ** is a miracle that they will transform from an ugly larva into a beautiful insect while gaining the ability to fly and chirp.
Chapter 15 The Cicada: The Cicada's Calling Fabre describes the mechanism of the cicada's call, which uses a special organ called the eardrum that sits on either side of the abdomen. Their eardrum is a delicate structure made up of a membrane and a few muscles that vibrate rapidly to produce sound waves. Their chirping is a way of communicating, being able to express their emotions and intentions.
Chapter 16 Cicadas: The Enemies of the Cicadas Fabre describes the enemies of the cicadas, which have many natural predators, such as spiders, hummingbirds, bats, dragonflies, etc., and they will catch and eat cicadas in a variety of ways. They also have a special kind of enemy, parasites, which burrow into cicadas, eat their internal organs, and then emerge from their backs to become an insect called the cicada moth.
Chapter 17 Cicadas: The Lifespan of the Cicada Fabre recounts the lifespan of the cicadas, which are very short, only a few weeks, during which time they will enjoy the sun and air to the fullest, sing with joy, mate and lay eggs, and then die. They have a short lifespan, but they are wonderful, and they are a miracle of nature.
That's it for the first volume of "Insects", I hope you like it. If you are interested in insects and want to know more, you can continue to follow my Baijia number, and I will update the summary of other volumes of "Insects" one after another. If you have any questions or ideas, you can also leave a message in the comment area, and I will try to reply. Thank you all for your support and we'll see you next time!Explore hardcore knowledge