A Look Through the Lens

Never did I envision myself putting macro-invertebrates collected from water into their order then family groupings. However, today this is just how I spent my time. Lindar was incredibly patient with me as we went through different ways and methods of putting each macro-invertebrate we collected into their family groupings. We did not get far, only one sampling from over eight we collected, but I learned so much.

The first challenge came from the beginning as we sat down at the microscope and my eyes took a while to adjust. We soon figured out that our eyes needed the microscope adjusted differently as when it was in focus for Lindar, the view was blurry for me. I don’t know how to pronounce very many of the scientific names, let alone remember them, but what I saw through the microscope was a whole new world. I never thought insects could be interesting to look at until today. I even venture to make the statement that insects are beautiful. As we looked for identifying characteristics, such as caudal appendages (fins near their end) and gills lining their sides, I realized how intricately put together each one of the macro-invertebrates I inspected was. All the insects identified were in their larval state. Some surprised me with their unique adaptations to survive and thrive in aquatic environments, when one day they would transform into creatures roaming the air. There was one macro-invertebrate that used leaves from nature to make a protective covering to develop. There was another that would feed on tree bark and encase itself in the think protectant. I saw dragonfly larvae and damselfly larvae (common names). You name the insect, I probably identified it. The work was a lot harder than I make it sound. Sometimes we would be examining a single specimen for over thirty minutes. Nothing compares to the rewarding feeling I received when we were finally able to put a name on it, mark it in the database, and transfer it to a vile for permanent record keeping.

This afternoon Lindar and I also went to a seminar with a guest speaker from India. He discussed the intricate relationship between man and insects. How we fear but would have no means of survival without them. All throughout the day, I kept wondering how anyone could dedicate their life to insects as the people do at icipe. I have come to the conclusion that this must be how people think of me wanting to study marine life. As much as I love to identify and look at fish, the people here love to work with insects. After today, I realize there is a remarkable world of insects as well. 

Being a Friday, “tea time” was sponsored again. After looking through the microscope for hours on end it was nice to see the world in its real size.