Specials NEWS

If you thought whiteflies were small, dear reader, thrips are usually one millimeter or less in length. They have cigar shaped bodies that taper towards their tail end, and this tail has a tendency to move in a whip-like motion. There are around six thousand described species of thrips, and not all of them are actually pests. Some are beneficial predators of other pests and mites, or as pollinators for certain species of plants.

The common name “fruit fly” is very widely used for a number of different flies under the taxonomic order of flies: Diptera. In general, what is known as the “common fruit fly” are species under the family Drosophilidae: Drosophilidae melanogaster. 

Over the past few years, bee populations have been declining due to several reasons such as climate change and the increased use of chemical inputs in plants. Recently, scientists discovered another reason behind the dwindling bee population. 

When people hear the word ‘livestock,’ most immediately think of common farm animals like cows, pigs, and chickens. What not a lot of people know is that insects can be considered livestock as well, as long as they are farmed. 

BY PATRICIA BIANCA S. TACULAO 

Over the years, insect farming for human consumption has begun industrializing its operations to provide insect-based consumables to the public. 

Fourteen live beetles and larvae hidden inside a package of snacks items have been intercepted by Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) operatives.

The syrphid fly, also called hoverfly, is being considered a tiny bee impostor, and it may also be a big help to some gardens and farms. 

There’s no denying that bees are an important part of our ecosystem. But there’s more to them than just producing honey and pollinating our plants. Here are seven facts about bees that you may not have heard before. 

Similar to most agricultural endeavors such as growing crops and raising livestock, beekeeping has its own technicalities that beekeepers, both experienced and amateur, need to be familiar with. 

It is advantageous for farms to have bees around since these natural pollinators can increase crop production by a significant amount. Ramona M. Pastor, the owner of H.N. Organic Farm in Malitbog, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, is familiar with such benefits, which is one of the reasons she keeps several kinds of bees on her property.