Just An Observation

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AlP
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Just An Observation

Post by AlP »

Not sure if I am in the right spot for this, anyway... just an observation. I pulled out one of my specimen containers last night. Specimens collected at Writing On Stone, AB. Container was factory fresh, no moisture. Specimens collected in mid 30’s celcius. Bee on the left has gotten a white mould (?) , bee fly (?) doesn’t have anything. Not sure how condensation got into the container as it was windy and dry and container sealed properly. None of my other specimens in same type of containers have this issue (?). Weird... I'll leave them be for the time being and see what happens before I take some macro images.
bee mould 2022-08-09 11-27-41 copy 1024.jpg

Lou Jost
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Re: Just An Observation

Post by Lou Jost »

Like most living things, a high proportion of an insect's weight is water. A sealed container guarantees that the water will saturate the air inside. Mold is expected. I do not know why the bee fly escaped this fate...

MarkSturtevant
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Re: Just An Observation

Post by MarkSturtevant »

Its possible that the bee had a fungus infection already.
Mark Sturtevant
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BugEZ
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Re: Just An Observation

Post by BugEZ »

Fungus infection theory is likely I think. Photos should tell the story.

Take a look at this YouTube video on fungus infected flies.

https://youtu.be/C2Jw5ib-s_I

Keith

AlP
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Re: Just An Observation

Post by AlP »

BugEZ wrote:
Wed Aug 10, 2022 2:49 pm
Fungus infection theory is likely I think. Photos should tell the story.

Take a look at this YouTube video on fungus infected flies.

https://youtu.be/C2Jw5ib-s_I

Keith
Thanx, Keith. I saw a similar film many years ago that dealt with ants in the same situation, I believe in South America.

Troels
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Re: Just An Observation

Post by Troels »

Fungi are living organisms creating energy by decomposing organic matter.
In this proces they use oxygen and excrete CO2 - and H2O!
The decomposing of a bee might produce more water than present in the dead bee.

Some fungi utilize this proces to grow in almost dry wood, like timber in buildings.
Their metabolism produces enough water for their own growth!

So it is indeed possible that dry air in a closed container with growing fungi eventually becomes saturated with water.

By the way: the insect to the rigth is a Bombylius, a Diptera.
Troels Holm, biologist (retired), environmentalist, amateur photographer.
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AlP
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Re: Just An Observation

Post by AlP »

Troels wrote:
Sun Aug 14, 2022 11:32 am
Fungi are living organisms creating energy by decomposing organic matter.
Thanx for the info, Troels. I just louped them at 10x a few minutes ago. Nothing has changed as far as I can see. Just curious why the Bombylius on the right hasn't been affected/infected by the fungi. It has been a week from the posted image above. If I get time today, I'll pull them out and photograph them.

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