Habits and Traits of the Ant Family

Ask any insect enthusiast how they became so interested in bugs, and hell probably mention childhood hours spent watching ants. Theres something fascinating about social insects, especially ones as diverse and evolved as the ants, the family Formicidae. Description Its easy to recognize ants, with narrow waists, bulbous abdomens, and elbowed antennae. In most cases, when you observe ants you are only seeing the workers, all of which are female. Ants live underground, in dead wood, or sometimes in plant cavities. Most ants are black, brown, tan, or red. All ants are social insects. With few exceptions, ant colonies divide labor between sterile workers, queens, and male reproductives, called alates. Winged queens and males fly in swarms to mate. Once mated, queens lose their wings and establish a new nest site; males die. Workers tend to the colonys offspring, even rescuing the pupae should the nest be disturbed. The all-female workforce also gathers food, constructs the nest, and keeps the colony clean. Ants perform important tasks in the ecosystems where they live. Formicids turn and aerate the soil, disperse seeds, and aid in pollination. Some ants defend their plant partners from attacks by herbivores. Classification Kingdom – AnimaliaPhylum – ArthropodaClass – InsectaOrder – HymenopteraFamily – Formicidae Diet Feeding habits vary in the ant family. Most ants prey on small insects or scavenge bits of dead organisms. Many also feed on nectar or honeydew, the sweet substance left behind by aphids. Some ants actually garden, using gathered leaf bits to grow fungus in their nests. Life Cycle The complete metamorphosis of an ant may take from 6 weeks to 2 months. Fertilized eggs always produce females, while unfertilized eggs yield males. The queen can control the sex of her offspring by selectively fertilizing the eggs with sperm, which she stores after a single mating period. White, legless larvae hatch from eggs, completely dependent on worker ants for their care. The workers feed the larvae with regurgitated food. In some species, pupae look like colorless, immobile adults. In others, pupae spin a cocoon. New adults may take several days to darken into their final color. Special Adaptions and Defenses Ants employ a fascinating variety of behaviors to communicate and defend their colonies. Leafcutter ants cultivate a bacteria with antibiotic properties to keep unwanted fungi from growing in their nests. Others tend aphids, milking them to harvest sweet honeydew. Some ants use a modified ovipositor to sting, like their wasp cousins. Some ants function as little chemical factories. Ants of the genus Formica use a special abdominal gland to produce formic acid, an irritating substance they can squirt as they bite. Bullet ants inject a strong nerve toxin when they sting. Many ants take advantage of other species. Slave-making ant queens invade colonies of other ant species, killing the resident queens and enslaving her workers. Thief ants raid neighbor colonies, stealing food and even young. Range and Distribution Ants thrive throughout the world, living everywhere except Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, and a few isolated islands. Most ants live underground or in dead or decaying wood. Scientists describe nearly 9,000 unique species of Formicids; almost 500 ant species inhabit North America. Sources Insects: Their Natural History and Diversity, by Stephen A. MarshallAnt Information, University of ArizonaFormicidae: Information, Animal Diversity Web

The Net Neutrality Laws - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 557 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/04/10 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Net Neutrality Essay Did you like this example? Kang In early March of 2018, an email service called Tutanota was unavailable for customers of Comcast. Once customers tried to connect to Tutanota with a different ISP (Internet Service Provider) it seemed to work. Consumers began to speculate, and as they thought Comcast had blocked traffic through the site, breaking the net neutrality laws. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) wants to remove these laws and make it so ISPs can begin to discriminate any data they want, which could mean your favorite apps/websites will potentially be inaccessible. (Whittaker) The Net Neutrality laws should not be repealed because it could affect the internet for Americans negatively forever because your favorite apps or sites such as Netflix, Instagram, and Youtube can be blocked by your internet service provider. Also, these changes will affect anyone who uses the internet for anything. Anything done on the internet is tracked in data types called packets, with repealing net neutrality ISPs can track these packets, and see what sites you are visiting and what you are doing. I should not need to explain how this violates your privacy on many levels. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Net Neutrality Laws" essay for you Create order So, you may be wondering, why in the heck would anyone want to get rid of these laws? There are two reasons, the first being that the internet service providers want to make a lot of money, and secondly, people think it will actually help make internet cheaper. People think it will make internet cheaper because the net neutrality laws violate the free market. The free market is a term commonly used in economics that describes the concept that the government has no regulation on how businesses charge their customers. For example, if pizza place #1 sells their pizzas for $10, pizza place #2 will sell theres for $5 so that more people will buy pizzas because they are much cheaper. Its basic economics, the more heavily you regulate something, the less of it youre likely to get. Says Ajit Pai So, in theory, the prices of the internet could go down, because ISPs like Comcast and Verizon will compete, but there is one flaw. That flaw is monopolies, not the fun board game, but rather a problem in economics. A monopoly is when there is only one provider of certain goods or services. Pseudo monopolies are a common thing, and it is when there is one provider to a certain community, like a town. Pseudo monopolies rule the community in their department, whether that be cable, power, or internet. So, how is this a flaw in the free market? Well, the point of the free market is for business to compete, and reduce their prices to gain more customers, in a monopoly, there is no competition, and ISPs will charge as much as they please because consumers will have no competitor to go to. So, imagine if there was one grocery store or restaurant in your area, they would charge very unreasonable amounts due to the supply and demand. So, in conclusion, the repealing of the net neutrality laws put in place by Obama in 2015 will make internet potentially cost more, and it will violate consumers privacy crucially. Even though these new laws are being put in place, it is not too late, Americans need to stand up for their freedom and rule against the laws the FCC is beginning to put in place.

Life of the Prophet Jeremiah Free Essays

More is known of the life of Jeremiah than of any other literary prophet. He began prophesying in the thirteenth year of the reign of King Josiah (1:2; 25:3), i. e. We will write a custom essay sample on Life of the Prophet Jeremiah or any similar topic only for you Order Now , 627 B. C. , when Jeremiah was but a youth (1:6). Jeremiah was a reluctant prophet, but felt compelled to speak God’s word (20:9). He prophesied until after Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B. C. (39:1-10; 43:7-8; 44:1), and his ministry lasted a total of about fifty years. Josiah’s great religious reformation came in the early part of Jeremiah’s work (cf. Kings chapters 22-23), but the reforms did not reach the hearts of the people, for they were still rebellious (25:1-7). The Jews opposed Jeremiah and his work from the very outset. First, the citizens of his native Anathoth tried to stop his work and even attempted to kill him (11:18-23). Even his kinsmen opposed him (12:6). Jeremiah later moved to Jerusalem, but he endured inveterate opposition there also. When King Josiah died, Jeremiah lamented his death (2 Chron. 35:25). Jeremiah prophesied against Josiah’s wicked successors: Jehoahaz (also called â€Å"Shallum†) (22:11-17), Jehoiakim (22:18-19), and Jeconiah (i. . , Coniah or Jehoiachin) (22:24- In the very year Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem, Jeremiah announced both his coming and the seventy year captivity of the Jews (25:1-14). Under the rule of Jehoiakim, Jeremiah preached a great sermon in the temple in Jerusalem (chapters 7-9). After this the princes, prophets, and priests of Judah called for his death (26:8-11). However, Jeremiah was delivered at that time (26:24). At the Lord’s direction, Jeremiah dictated his prophecies to Baruch, who wrote them on a scroll (36:1-8). However, when King Jehoiakim read the scroll, he was so angry he cut it with a scribe’s knife and threw it into the fire (36:20-25). The king commanded that Jeremiah and Baruch be seized, but the Lord hid them (36:26). Jeremiah dictated the prophecies to Baruch again and added others (36:27-32). Jeremiah urged King Zedekiah to be faithful to Nebuchadnezzar, but Zedekiah refused (27:12-22). The Babylonians besieged Jerusalem, and great suffering resulted. Later, Jeremiah was accused of trying to defect to the enemy and was placed in prison (37:11-15). Subsequently the king transferred him from the dungeon to the court of the prison and gave him a daily ration of bread (37:17-21). When Jeremiah again prophesied against Jerusalem, the king turned him over to the princes, who threw him into a dungeon, the bottom of which was filled with mud, into which Jeremiah sank (38:1-6). Jeremiah would have died there, had he not been rescued by Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch of the king’s house (38:7-13). When Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem, he let Jeremiah go free to his own home (39:11-14). A mutinous band of Jews murdered Gedaliah, who had been appointed governor by Nebuchadnezzar (41:1-3). They decided to flee to Egypt for safety, taking Jeremiah with them as a hostage (43:1-7). They took Jeremiah to Tahpanes in Egypt, where he continued to prophesy against them (43:8 – 44:1). The life of Jeremiah was one of sorrow upon sorrow. His people whom he loved and with whom he pleaded unceasingly for fifty years continually refused to hear him, rewarded his labor with rejection and persecution, and eventually perished as the result. How to cite Life of the Prophet Jeremiah, Essays

Impromptu or Extemporaneous Speaking free essay sample

While many of us do not like to speak in front of people, there are times when we are asked to get up and say a few words about someone or a topic when we have not planned on saying anything at all. We are more shocked than anyone else. Has this ever happened to you? If and when this does happen to you, be prepared to rise to the challenge. Below are some tips you can use the next time you are called on to speak. C] Decide quickly what your one message will be Keep in mind you have not been asked to give a speech but to make some impromptu remarks.Hopefully they eave asked you early enough so you can at least jot down a few notes before you speak. If not, pick ONE message or comment and focus on that one mall Idea. Many times, other Ideas may come to you after you start speaking. If this happens, go with the flow and trust your instincts. D Do not try and memorize what you will say Trying to memorize will only make you more nervous and you will find yourself thinking more about the words and not about the message. Start off strong and with confidence If you at least plan your opening statement, this will get you started on the right foot.After all, just like with any formal speech, getting started is the most difficult. Plan what your first sentence will be. You may even write this opening line down on your note card and glance at it one more time Just before you begin speaking. If you know you have three points or Ideas to say, Just start off simple by saying, l would just like to talk about 3 points. The first point is. .. The second point is And so on. 0 Decide on your transitions from one point to the other After you have decided on your opening remark or line, come up with a simple transition statement that takes you to your mall point. If you have more than one point to make, you can use a natural translator such as, My second point Is Or my next point is Etc. Just list on your note card or napkin, if you have to, the main points or ideas. Do not write out the exact words, but Just the points you want to mention. 0 Maintain eye contact with the audience This Is easier to do if you do not write down all kinds of stuff to read. Look down at your next Idea or thought and maintain eye contact with your audience and speak from your heart. Focus on communicating TO your audience and not speaking AT the crowd.Occasionally Throw in an off-the- cuff remark Because you want your style to be flexible and seem impromptu, trust your Instinct and add a few words which Just pop Into your head. Keep It conversational and think of the audience as a group of your friends. D Finally, have a good conclusion Gracefully Just state, And the last point I would like to make is Once you have made your last point, you can then turn control back to the person who asked you to speak In the first place. With a little practice, this process will feel more natural to you.Anticipating that you MAY be asked to say a few words should Orca you to at least think about what you might say if you are asked. Then if you ARE asked, you are better prepared because you anticipated being asked. This is much better than thinking they wont ask you and they actually do! Impromptu Speech An impromptu speech will unnerve the best public speaker. One of the most 1 OFF notice. When caught off guard, many people can suffer extreme anxiety about speaking off the cuff. Thats why smart people are always prepared.Teachers will sometime assign impromptu speeches based on homework assignments. While this may seem like a cruel trick from a students point of view, it is actually great reparation for life. With Little or No Time to Prepare An Impromptu or Unexpected Speech Rarely will you be asked to stand and deliver a speech with no warning and no time to organize your thoughts. This would be unusual in the classroom, unless the teacher is attempting to make a point about the importance of preparedness. Nonetheless, at some point in your life you may be asked to speak without notice.There are a few things you can do to avoid panic and embarrassment. 1. Grab a pen and a piece of paper, whether it is a napkin, envelope, or the back of a piece of paper you have on hand. 2. Feel free to acknowledge that you have not prepared or a speech. Do this in a professional way! This should not be an attempt to garner pity, but rather a way to put yourself and your audience at ease. Then, excuse yourself for a moment and take time to Jot down a quick outline. Zone out the audience. They will be okay chatting and sipping water for a minute. 3.Jot down interesting or significant points about your topic, which will be related in some way to the event youre attending. If it is a homework assignment you are addressing, for instance, write down your impression of the assignment or anecdotes about your time spent on it. Was it difficult? Why? Did you run into any road blocks during this assignment? Did you have the material you needed? Did your little brother interrupt you several times? If you do nothing else, write down an introductory sentence and an ending sentence. Your ending line is particularly important.If you can walk away gracefully, your speech will be a success. Keep your zinger for last. 4. Hijack the topic. Your goal is to deliver a one-sided conversation, off the cuff, so you are in complete control. Relax and make it your own. If you want to make this a funny story about your pesky little brother who always bothers you during homework time, then do it. Everyone will applaud your effort. 5. Begin with your introductory sentence, elaborate, then start working your way to your ending sentence. Fill in the middle space with as many points as you can, elaborating on each one as you go.Just concentrate on the zinger youve reserved for the end. 6. As you deliver your speech, concentrate on diction and tone. If you are thinking about this, you are not thinking about the eyes watching you. This really works! Your mind cant think about too many things at once, so think about enunciating your words and controlling your tone, and youll maintain more control. Impromptu Speech In Fifteen Minutes Often you will have some time to prepare for a speech, even if it is fifteen minutes. The most important thing you can do during your preparation time is write an outline.Your speech should be informative, naturally, but a really good speech will also evoke some emotion in your audience. As you plan your speech, consider whether you want to convince, inspire, amuse, or enlighten your audience. 1. Examine your topic. Does it lend itself well to a comparison? Examples? A demonstration? Decide on one method and begin your outline. 2. Consider your Identify your strengths to help organize your thoughts. For instance, if your impromptu topic concerns dress codes in school, you may want to Joke about your own wardrobe during your introduction, then re-visit that thought during your ending.However, you may be more comfortable expressing your opinion to others. If so, dont try to be funny. Pick a style that suits your personality. 3. Make an outline. Think of several points and organize them. Keep a great line for the ending. If you do nothing else, write down an introductory sentence and an ending sentence. 4. Practice your beginning and your ending. These are the most stressful parts of your speech, and the most critical when it comes to good delivery. When you are comfortable with your beginning and ending, then practice your body.List several points and find ways to elaborate on each one. 5. Give yourself a minute or two to relax. Wrap up your practice at least a few minutes before you speak. Give yourself time to reflect and relax. 6. As you deliver your speech, concentrate on diction and tone. If you are thinking about this, you are not thinking about the eyes watching you. This really works. Your mind cant think about too many things at once, so think about enunciating your words and controlling your tone, and youll maintain more control.