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Meet the Buggers!

1/20/2012

17 Comments

 
Meet the Buggers!
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THE BUGGERS
Dr. Shin Goto, Natalie Harr, Dr. Richard Lee and Dr. Dave Denlinger (left to right)


We study one insect and its name is Belgica antarctica.  Not surprisingly, we are known as "The Buggers" here at Palmer Station.   In fact, this wingless fly is the southernmost, free-living insect in Antarctica and it's the largest animal that remains on land throughout the year.    
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Photo by Dr. Richard E. Lee Jr.

The adults of Belgica antarctica live for only 10 days during the Antarctic summer.  Although they are the largest Antarctic land animal, they only measure 3-4 mm in length!

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Photo by Dr. Richard E. Lee, Jr.

In its two-year life cycle, Belgica antarctica undergoes complete metamorphosis.  It spends most of its time in its larval stage (above).  

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Drumroll PLEASE!

The Bugger Team....


Dr. "Rick" Richard Lee 

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This is Dr. Lee's 8th trip to the Antarctic.  He is a Distinguished Professor of Zoology at Miami University, Ohio.  He specializes in entomology and adaptations of cold-blooded animals to survive in winter and in polar regions.


Dr. Dave Denlinger

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Dr. Denlinger is a Distinguished University Professor at Ohio State University.  Work in his home laboratory focuses on molecular physiology of insect overwintering.  This is his 4th trip to Antarctica, and he has also worked in Africa and Central America.  


Dr. Shin Goto

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Dr. Goto is currently on the faculty of Osaka City University, Japan.  He was a previous postdoctoral fellow in the Denlinger laboratory at Ohio State.  His research focuses on insect overwintering and the function of clock genes. 


Miss Natalie Harr (Nature Nat)

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Miss Harr is a first grade teacher in Mantua, OH and serves as the team's educational outreach coordinator.  With her master's degree in Biological Sciences, she is connecting her school district as well as 30 other districts nationally with current Antarctic research.

Field Collecting 

We travel to several local islands and collect samples of Belgica antarctica using simple tools.  

The wingless fly lives in the substrate between the soil and the rocks.   In some places the adults and larvae are abundant.  But in others, few or none can be found. 

As we collect Belgica, we see other plants and animals living on the islands.

Once we return to the station, we immediately get Belgica ready for experiments. 


Our Research

Our experiments this year focus in two areas.  First, we are trying to determine whether larvae survive the winter by freezing or by dehydrating.  A fifth member of our research team, Yuta Kawarasaki, will be here from February to May studying this question.  Secondly, we are investigating whether adults and larvae can use changes in the length of daylight through the year to time their preparations for winter survival.

17 Comments
Bonnie Soos
1/19/2012 09:51:24 pm

¡Buenos días Nature Nat! I was so excited to read your new blog! It is very informative. You addressed many of my students' questions. The specific details, the pictures and explanations help paint an overall view and understanding of the main objective of this adventure. My students and I check the blog everyday. We are very anxious to skype with you on Monday. We can't wait to see what you post next!! Keep up the amazing job!!

Bonnie:)

Reply
Nature Nat
1/20/2012 03:33:30 am

Hi Sis!

I've been very excited about this particular blog post. It took me a while to put it together..because I wanted just the right footage to tell the story of the buggers! Enjoy your snow day. Please be sure to check out the movie I made on the "Penguin Month" page. Your students will enjoy it too!!!!

Reply
Nora (Webb) Winstead
1/21/2012 03:54:36 am

Hi Natalie!

Remember me?? I know we havent seen each other in a LONG time! I love reading your blog, my mom does too, we esp love all the pictures, they are beautiful! So glad that you are having such an awesome and amazing adventure! I know Bonnie is very very proud and worried about you! I learn about what you're doing through bonnie! I had to share your blog with a couple other friends of mine and they really thought it was very interesting! Great job Nat! Be careful!

Your friend,
Nora
(And my mom also says hi!)

Reply
Nature Nat
1/23/2012 02:38:43 am

Hi Nora!

It's so great to hear from you! And your mom too! Of course I remember you and your family. Can't forget all the fun I had tagging along with you and Bonnie during Girl Scouts long ago. Thanks for sharing the blog with your friends. It has been absolutely amazing how this experience has brought so many people together... Take care and I'd love to visit you when I'm back in town to give you the insider details!!!!

Ed
1/20/2012 05:03:51 am

Natalie,

Great job of story telling via the photo essay! Great shots of the buggers from a low angle with great non-distracting backgrounds. You may win one of those photo prizes! :o) Ranger Ed

Reply
Nature Nat
1/23/2012 02:41:18 am

Thanks for the photo confidence...I'm really trying to capture Antarctica the best that I can. Check out the movie I made for Penguin Month. Go to the Penguin month page and scroll to the bottom. Just skyped with my hometown school today. It was a wonderful experience. The students sang me happy birthday in 3 different languages!!!!

Reply
Aubree Rouse!! link
1/20/2012 06:20:50 am

Dear Miss Harr,

I miss you so so much!! Have you found the wingless fly yet? See you soon.

Aubree

Reply
Miss Harr (a.k.a. Nature Nat)
1/23/2012 02:47:05 am

Hi Aubree!

It's so nice to hear from you. Thank you for the wonderful birthday video! Yes, we have found a lot of Belgica antarctica here. I have pictures of the insect on the blog page called "Meet the Buggers." It was great talking with you and the other students today on the phone. I miss you!

Reply
Sandy K Harr
1/20/2012 07:55:32 am

Nature Nat,

Your latest blog is very informative. Couldn't wait for the latest update. It is very interesting to see how the 'buggers' collect the specimen. I enjoy seeing the wildlife in their natural habitat. The scenery is beautiful!!! Keep up the good work.

Love,

Mom

Reply
Bonnie Soos
1/20/2012 11:44:20 pm

Good morning Nature Nat! I just loved the penguin movie that you made for your students! It was so creative.....absolutely adorable!! I even shed a few tears, especially listening to your students sing their penguin song. I love the photos of all of the scientists in their pajamas.....especially Dr. Lee!! Also not to mention those stylish pajamas that you are wearing!!! Whoever purchased those PJs had great taste (lol)!! Amazing job once again!!! Miss you.

Love your sis,
Bon-Bon

Reply
Nature Nat
1/23/2012 02:52:50 am

Hi Sis!

I had a great time skyping with BLHS. Thank you for the birthday serenade today during the skype session. It was sooooo special! The Happy Birthday song sang in three different languages. Wow! Please thank Mrs. Rinaldi for her part in it too. Maybe turning 30 isn't as bad as I thought! Thanks for all your hard work in making the skype session so memorable. Love you tons!

Nature Nat
1/23/2012 02:48:58 am

Hi Mom and Dad,

Thanks for coming to the skype session at BLHS today. I loved being able to see you both on my birthday. And Bonnie too! I'll give you a call later. Love you so much:)

Reply
Jan Carnes
1/21/2012 09:55:47 am

Hi Natalie,
I check your blog frequently because I find it so interesting. You've posted beautiful marine life and scenery pictures. The movies are terrific and the story you're telling is superb! What an adventure and what memories you'll have! Jan

Reply
Nature Nat
1/23/2012 02:55:31 am

Hi Jan,

It is so nice to hear from you! This is quite an adventure, and it's often hard to pick and choose what to put on the blog. There's so many great things to include. I'm glad you are enjoying it.

Reply
Kaley Richard
1/25/2012 03:39:25 am

hi i love your website. it is awesome. i really miss you.



love, kaley p.s. i sent this to u from the computer lab in the 5th grade school in third grade.

Reply
marissa hayford mrs crowe class
6/9/2012 10:53:08 am

Miss Harr tell Mrs Crowe I miss her and we miss you too have a great summer

Reply
microsoft outlook problem link
8/18/2013 06:17:27 pm

Thanks for sharing your studies on insects. It was interesting to know more about them. I never thought that these species have a name. I wish you the very best for your research and your future projects. Keep posting more updates in your blog.

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    Miss Natalie Harr is a first grade teacher at Crestwood Primary School in northeastern Ohio.

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