Regarding Fruit / Tree Proximity

Days Walking - 93

We had a random encounter today with Tony Glenn and Marsha Butler, entomologists studying the effects of roadways on insect activity. They're comparing insect types and density at specific locales along this part of the Dalton Highway.

Interestingly, Tony and Marsha are not employed by a university - instead they're privately funded by one of those foundations you hear about when you watch PBS. They were strangely mysterious about which one - we could not figure out why...

Tony and Marsha are placing collection lures at regular intervals along the road, as well as fifty and a hundred meters away from the road. They track the GPS of each lure, which is actually a lure, a collection container, and sensors that tabulate temperature, humidity, elevation, and even light levels.

Due to the slopes built in to roads - high in the middle and lower at the edges - for drainage, puddles can collect along roadsides, which of course is a factor in breeding cycles. But as marshy as a lot of Ack is, it's difficult to determine the impact of roads.

Also, it seems that many insects home in on their prey by our exaust gases, like CO2, and cars and trucks emit similar gases. And as you're relaxing at a rest stop or a photo opportunity, bugs can hitch a ride on your vehicle and so be spread hundreds of miles. We only have to think back to the Spruce Bark Beetle to realize how important it is to keep insects in their home area, and minimize spreading.

It's always fascinated me that no matter what subject you can think of, some scientist is studying it. Someone has made studying dung-beetles their life's work. Which is better, Coke or Pepsi. The effects of radiation coming from your computer screen.

Scientists are studying everything and anything. And now thanks to the internet they can all get together and pool their findings and discover how dried Pepsi spatters combined with computer screen radiation effects dung-beetles. The serandipitous way that data connects is beautiful to me. Like that science show Connections - brilliant stuff!

Tony and Marsha are cool peeps, for Bug-Lovers. I know that some kids have no fear and just love to play with grasshoppers and spiders and whatnot, but I never had any desire to touch any of those things. Bugs are my weakness. Snakes and rats I'm cool with, but bugs best steer clear of me or I will squish them!

Tony hails from Pennsylvania, and Marsha from Iowa. Midwestern folks are very nice and laid back. I guess if you regularly have snow dumped on you for 5 months of the year, you learn to deal with enforced cohabitation. They have very good people skills, especially for people who spend a lot of time pinning fifteen different species of roach to index cards as a hobby.

Marsha thoughtfully hooked us up with some handy DEET spritzers, and we have been enjoying a minimized bug experience since. Thanks Marsha you rock!

Enid - hey cool, thanks for the weird news about the British guy, interesting stuff.

Heather - Your hubby is Eric, neat! It's cool that he read my ramblings and saw fit to comment.

I'm continuously boggled as to how any of you clearly highly intelligent folks find my blog the slightest bit entertaining. I read your deep, witty, wise and worldly blogs and think "Whaaa?"

Oh I finally heard back from my Dad the other day - turns out he had an impromptu sexy sleep-over at Joann's house, and his cell phone battery died, and yadda yadda excuses excuses it's not cool to make me worry.

I'm torn between thinking it's high time Dad got a steady girl, and irked that I am not there to poke my nose in at every opportunity. I mean, I've been taking care of this man my whole life (he see's it differently of course) and now I've abandoned him to fend for himself.

I mean, he does not pay attention when he's walking through parking lots, especially when he's on his cell phone. I can't tell you how many times I've yanked him back just before he got himself hit by a car backing out. He's really distracted a lot of the time, and don't get him talking, whoo nelly can he go on and on and on...

Litany Webb, signing off

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