3/11 Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is a species’ life history?
The basic schedule of events throughout the life cycle and fundamental characteristics such as the number of offspring per female
Life history includes various traits that define an organism’s lifecycle strategy.
In what type of environment are simple life histories usually found?
Constant and not harsh environments
This includes environments where conditions remain stable over time.
What is the primary habitat of the human head louse?
Human scalp/hair
The head louse spends almost its entire existence on its host.
Do head lice have special life stages for dispersal?
No
Head lice do not have mechanisms for surviving off the host.
What adaptation does the goldenrod gall fly have for surviving harsh conditions?
Cryoprotection
This includes synthesizing antifreeze compounds and adjusting water within cells.
What do locusts do when population density increases?
Become gregarious and follow each other
This behavior leads to the formation of swarms that can devastate vegetation.
What historical impact did the Rocky Mountain Locust have?
Caused crop loss and human starvation in the 1800s
One swarm was estimated to cover an area larger than the state of California.
What reproductive strategy do aphids use during times of abundance?
Asexual reproduction
This allows for rapid population growth when conditions are favorable.
How many offspring can a single female aphid produce in a year?
Potentially billions
This is due to their high fecundity, often producing over 30 offspring.
What is a common feature of an aphid’s annual cycle?
Asexual females in warm weather and sexual reproduction in fall
This cycle helps manage population densities and environmental changes.
What is the most famous insect migration in North America?
Monarch butterfly migration
Danaus plexippus travels long distances annually in search of resources.
What do monarch larvae sequester from their diet?
Poisonous cardiac glycosides
This contributes to their toxicity and warning coloration.
What phenomenon do periodical cicadas exhibit?
Mass emergence at specific intervals (13 or 17 years)
This strategy helps overwhelm predators.
What type of food do cicada nymphs feed on?
Root xylem
This is a poor food source, leading to their lengthy maturation period.
True or False: The Viceroy butterfly was once thought to be a non-distasteful mimic of the monarch.
True
Recent investigations revealed that Viceroys do sequester toxins and taste bitter.
What is the primary benefit of synchronization in insect life cycles?
Overwhelm predation
This can increase survival rates by saturating predators with prey.
