tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post9038549182410891825..comments2024-03-14T18:37:51.390-05:00Comments on Cultural Front: Haley Reading Group: “Attack of the Killer Beetles”H. Rambsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16862209871277442972noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-9852483587976506052017-12-18T10:53:45.835-06:002017-12-18T10:53:45.835-06:00The most interesting thing to me was the amount of...The most interesting thing to me was the amount of destruction caused by the bark beetles. On page 215, they mentioned that the beetles have destroyed more than 46 million acres of forested land. It is mind boggling to think creatures the size of a grain of rice could cause that level of devastation, taking down up to 100,000 trees each day. Dakarai P.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-84908570657433157222017-12-15T10:20:16.029-06:002017-12-15T10:20:16.029-06:00On page 219, when the researcher Constance Millar ...On page 219, when the researcher Constance Millar came to find that only the trees that were growing in the 1800s were dying and the ones that started to grow in the 1900s were the ones surviving it was interesting to see notice that the tree were adapting. This showed me that even though trees don't have the ability to move or hide themselves, they can adapt as time moves forward. This is something the bark beetles don't have the luxury of because the bugs can't survive in winter environments. This shows that the trees can protect themselves from beetles as time continues to move forward.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381729118239011375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-47041902508423440222017-12-15T09:17:33.972-06:002017-12-15T09:17:33.972-06:00I am very interested in the way six thinks. Despit...I am very interested in the way six thinks. Despite the beetles tearing down trees, she is passionate enough about the beetles to see beyond that. The trees being mostly affected by the beetles are the ones that are better suited for colder conditions. natural selection (219) is evolution in the process. She is seeing these bark beetles are cutting down trees that are not well conditioned for the surrounding environment. On page 219 she questions the method of beetle management. Her thinking also makes me question the purpose of the bark beetles. Of course the beetles must be controlled still, since over population can also harm the trees that are actually suited for the warmer environment.Xavier Morrison-Wallacenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-2208028725648392522017-12-14T12:09:30.559-06:002017-12-14T12:09:30.559-06:00The passage that stood out to me was, "'I...The passage that stood out to me was, "'I think about what it means to be a tree [...] Trees can't walk. Trees can't run. Tree's can't hide'" (218). Statements like that really make you stop and think and it puts everything in perspective. We all depend on tress for our survival on this planet but yet most of us take it for granted. We just expect them to always be there, never really thinking about what could be happening to them with climate change. These beetles are affecting us in a way most wouldn't even consider and it's because most of the time we aren't faced with the reality of our situation here on Earth.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16671715338660471909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-83601341075798507392017-12-11T12:46:21.425-06:002017-12-11T12:46:21.425-06:00(215),"Bark beetles have chomped 46 million o...(215),"Bark beetles have chomped 46 million of the country's 850 million acres of forested land.." The most interesting aspect of this article is how wide spread the range of the bark beetles affect are but no one is talking about them at all. Other ecological/environmental problem such as climate change and the decrease in monarch populations are frequently discussed but I've never even heard of these insects. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12621902331781037399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-34579269390314583732017-12-11T11:55:08.060-06:002017-12-11T11:55:08.060-06:00One point concerning the characteristics of bark b...One point concerning the characteristics of bark beetles that caught my attention was on page 215 where it talks about how bark beetles have chomped 46 million acres of forested land. I don't really think that this is really all that big of a deal considering humans chop down trees to make different things all the time anyway. Besides like it says on page 216 the females locate weak trees. So really they are helping out rather than destroying. <br />~Tashawna N. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-42384707297036752322017-12-04T15:15:32.034-06:002017-12-04T15:15:32.034-06:00There were a lot of things about the beetles that ...There were a lot of things about the beetles that caught my attention, one of them being how they have taken down enough trees to cover the state of Colorado. Besides that though, there was something that really made me think, the author wrote, "I don't want to change the world. We have changed the world to a point that it is barely recognizable. I think it's time to stop thinking change and try to hold on to what beauty and function remains" (221).<br />This spoke to me because as human, evolution and development are, partly, what we pride ourselves on. New inventions, discoveries, and products make life easier for us, but are horrible for the environment. And while we "watch our carbon footprints," it doesn't have a fighting chance because there are still so many resources being utilized, which outpace these efforts. This comment made me realize how, in the face of evolution, we also regress in other ways.Cheniya Alstonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-89917977338964194022017-12-04T11:52:36.223-06:002017-12-04T11:52:36.223-06:00One of the interesting facts I found was on page 2...One of the interesting facts I found was on page 215, "Mountain pine, spruce, pinon ips, and other kinds of bark beetles have chomped 46 million of the country's 850 million acres of forested land..." (Oatman p. 215). I found this interesting because this is a significant amount of trees that are being harmed and because trees have such an important role in an ecosystem, it's important that something is done about the beetles harming these trees. <br /><br />Zaria W.Zaria Whitlockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06420265900505940930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-25160541943843449802017-12-02T21:25:28.582-06:002017-12-02T21:25:28.582-06:00After reading the passage the part that stood out ...After reading the passage the part that stood out to me the most was the last paragraph of page 216. It reads "when a female mountain pine beetle locates a frail tree, she emits a chemical signal to her friends... they chew through the bark." I find it interesting and cool how the women specifically are able to signal all of their friends. <br />The beetles are portrayed as a bad insect who's killing off trees, but it seems as if they are killing trees that were going to die soon anyway. Humans kill trees, whether they are frail or not, by cutting them down daily to make houses, furniture, paper, and other items, so I do not see the issue with the beetles picking frail trees to prey on.Persephone Colenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-34250974894948935012017-12-02T20:18:47.853-06:002017-12-02T20:18:47.853-06:00One point that caught my attention about the chara...One point that caught my attention about the characteristics of bark beetles that I found interesting was on page 217. The text states, "Structures in bark beetles' mouths have evolved to carry certain types of fungi that convert the tree's tissue into nutrients for the bug." I think its cool how bark beetles have evolved to be able to do this. This shows how adaptive the beetles are. <br /><br />Tiera W. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-13820836433125122262017-11-27T14:12:46.866-06:002017-11-27T14:12:46.866-06:00One quote that stood out to me after reading Oatma...One quote that stood out to me after reading Oatman's Article states, "Mountain pine, spruce, pinion ips, and other kinds of bark beetles have chomped 46 million of the country's 850 million acres of forested land". This shows how invasive these beetles are and how they can quickly become a major problem.<br /><br />- Donovan WashingtonDonovan Washingtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-72335709425253772272017-11-26T21:53:20.560-06:002017-11-26T21:53:20.560-06:00One characteristic of bark beetles that caught my ...One characteristic of bark beetles that caught my attention was on page 217 "From 2000 to 2012, bark beetles killed enough trees to cover the entire state of Colorado. It is crazy to think that little bugs can cause such destruction to nature. Humans are destroying the Earth on their own and the beetles are just assissting in the job.<br />Sydney j.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-12033055364529805362017-11-22T13:55:00.355-06:002017-11-22T13:55:00.355-06:00After reading Oatman's Article, one characteri...After reading Oatman's Article, one characteristic of bark beetles that caught my attention was on page 217 "From 2000 to 2012, bark beetles killed enough trees to cover the entire state of Colorado". This quote shows the devastation impact the beetles have on the environment an unhealthy trees.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06926647560294551516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-20583257899824513182017-11-21T19:58:28.218-06:002017-11-21T19:58:28.218-06:00On page 216 where it says "Yellowstone's ...On page 216 where it says "Yellowstone's grizzly bears have run out of pinecones to eat because of the beetles" I found this interesting because bark beetles used to have an important role in the ecosystem, but because of human intervention the bark beetles are now doing more harm than good.Maya Searcyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08225623267149919269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-123024304167155522017-11-21T11:04:06.477-06:002017-11-21T11:04:06.477-06:00There is undoubtedly a hidden beauty in the story ...There is undoubtedly a hidden beauty in the story of the bark beetle. While often recognized for their destructive nature, they are not credited for the amazing aspects of their existence. On page 217, it mentions the process of laying eggs and spreading a fungus which breaks down the tree tissue. The nutrients are then available for consumption. This is an ability which allows them to survive and thrive. Breanna B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-25408641778171366272017-11-20T16:54:13.810-06:002017-11-20T16:54:13.810-06:00A characteristic that I found interesting about th...A characteristic that I found interesting about the pine beetles was how the female beetles locate weaker trees and then through a chemical signal, notifies other beetles who then all flock to the tree to feast on it and then to lay their eggs to produce more beetles(216). It reminds me of the concept of survival of the fittest because in the text it said usually stronger tress can fend off the beetles. I also thought it was interesting that we also profit off of the destructive process because when the hatching beetles produce the fungi and the pine becomes stained with a blue-gray pattern, we use that to make products.Brianna Reednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-65935827681376637612017-11-20T13:26:26.928-06:002017-11-20T13:26:26.928-06:00In the article, the author spoke about the effects...In the article, the author spoke about the effects that climate has on the trees and the beetles' attack. On page 219 the trees that were adapted to the colder climates had a different success rate than the trees that were adapted to the warmer climates, "this second group mounted a much more successful battle against the bugs"(219). This was interesting to me because I didn't know that the way trees adapt in certain climates also affected the way that the beetles would attack. <br />-Brandy C<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-82196107428248563022017-11-20T11:24:30.160-06:002017-11-20T11:24:30.160-06:00Bark beetles have chomped 46 million of the countr...Bark beetles have chomped 46 million of the country's 850 million acres of forested land, from the Yukon down the spine of the rocky mountains all the way to Mexico." (215) Nothing has been done about it because nobody really knows about it which is ridiculous. It's sad that it's been kept tat way because politicians don't really want anyone to know.Sydney Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262318676068978102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-81466841480989377642017-11-20T11:23:57.631-06:002017-11-20T11:23:57.631-06:00To me it is just absolutely mind boggling hwo much...To me it is just absolutely mind boggling hwo much damage these little beetles can do. And for them to contribute to something so disasterous is absolutely crazy. On page 215 it says,"Bark beetles have chomped 46 million of the country's 850 million acres of forested land, from the Yukon down the spine of the rocky mountains all the way to Mexico.” 46 MILLION acres of trees have been destroyed because of these beetles. It just makes me wonder what it is we can do to maybe lower the population or take better oreventive measures when it comes to the trees. Also, the fact that global warming encourages these behaviours is interesting to me.<br />-Kytela M<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-29792159254903068582017-11-20T09:53:37.842-06:002017-11-20T09:53:37.842-06:00The bark beetles were interesting to me, because o...The bark beetles were interesting to me, because of the things they do. It's like they are just like other animals and insects who use groups to get information about certain trees, or other organisms. On page 216, I found out that when a female beetle comes upon a tree, she secretes a chemical signal that relays the message "our tree!" To other beetles. This reminds me of the way larger organisms work as well as smaller insects.<br />- Nyla G.Nyla Gantthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13196643003347273558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-48516395054172317202017-11-20T09:30:44.969-06:002017-11-20T09:30:44.969-06:00One point concerned the characteristics of the bar...One point concerned the characteristics of the bark beetles that caught my attention was the span of their influence yet they are virtually unknown. Their ability to alter landscapes, such as devouring 46 million of 850 million acres of land from the Yukon to Mexixo (page 215). 46 million acres destroyed seems to be something people would notice and make public. Sandra Yokleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-90661831332210174472017-11-18T14:29:49.407-06:002017-11-18T14:29:49.407-06:00One thing that caught my attention was the fact th...One thing that caught my attention was the fact that they have had such a major impact on our world and no one really knows about it. They have changed landscapes and not once have I’ve ever even heard of them and that probably goes for many others as well. On page 215, it gives examples of the impact they have had. “Bark beetles have chomped 46 million of the country's 850 million acres of forested land, from the Yukon down the spine of the rocky mountains all the way to Mexico” (215). That is insane to even try to imagine, and it’s outrageous that only very few people even know they exist. You would think with what they have done, everyone would already know about them.<br /><br />~ Marcus B.Marcus B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01130286059320334822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-72484616216952193982017-11-18T13:57:33.585-06:002017-11-18T13:57:33.585-06:00One thing that stood out to me was that thin warm ...One thing that stood out to me was that thin warm weather the bugs thrive(217). Warm weather can make the bugs mature faster and lay more eggs then their babies could mature and lay eggs.This means that more trees could be infested and that would be bad. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08986737293856236260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-25575249645176614752017-11-17T23:49:39.846-06:002017-11-17T23:49:39.846-06:00One thing that stood out to me is when it says tha...One thing that stood out to me is when it says that "When a female mountain pine beetle locates a frail tree, she emits a chemical signal to her friends, who swarm to her by the hundreds. Together they chew through the tree"(216). it's interesting that the beetles' behavior is similar to predators and prey in the wild. if the prey is weak or sick, the predators will work together to take the prey down.<br />--Aliyah JohnsonAliyah Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11483700595012459316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-595859379914711075.post-22338198787453413722017-11-17T23:20:53.262-06:002017-11-17T23:20:53.262-06:00I find that the politicians willingness to the thi...I find that the politicians willingness to the thinning of forests was the most interesting part to me. It shows the potential corruption that politicians have, who are willing to kill the earth in order provide money for the timber industry. What surprises me is that this type of stuff is allowed. This is something you would see in a movie. Makes me sick to see just how greedy people can be. (220)<br /><br />Brandon N.Brandon Nicholsnoreply@blogger.com