Articles By Resource type : Animation
Insect Cuticle: Structure and Organization

This Flash animation is part of a lecture series on insect physiology and biochemistry by Dr. Larry Keeley, Professor Emeritus of Entomology at Texas A&M University. Topics covered include prevention of water loss, tanning, and the role of wax. Although unenthusiastic, the voiceover is clear and animation is used well to highlight areas being discussed. Requires Flash. The full version costs $10 to download, but a watermarked demo version can be viewed for free.

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Insect Organization: Structure and Function

This Flash animation is part of a lecture series on insect physiology and biochemistry by Dr. Larry Keeley, Professor Emeritus of Entomology at Texas A&M University. The major aspects of insect morphology are covered. Subjects include external body plan, fat body, flight muscles, and the respiratory, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, digestive and reproductive systems. Although unenthusiastic, the voiceover is clear and animation is used well to highlight areas being discussed. Requires Flash. The full version costs $10 to download, but a watermarked demo version can be viewed for free.

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Insect Vision: Structure and Function of the Compound Eye

The compound eye is explained in this animation with voiceover by Dr. Larry Keeley of Texas A&M University. Topics include lens and photoreceptor formation, function of pigment cells, and the mosaic view of insect eyes with different numbers of ommatidia per unit area. Voiceover is unenthusiastic but accurate, but the animation is used appropriately to highlight the narration. Requires Flash. Demo version is full-length but has watermark. The forward and reverse arrows for the animation did not work when tested on several web browsers for Mac OSX, but all other features functioned properly.

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Insecticide Resistance Management

Organophosphate insecticide effects and resistance are explained at the molecular and population levels. Part of a longer animation on neurotoxic insecticides. Requires Flash. Demo version is full-length but has watermark.

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Let's Talk About Insects

This is an excellent animated resource for introducing teachers and students to Entomology. The interactive Flash animation covers classification, basic anatomy, beneficial vs. pest insects, and life cycles. The dialogue is engaging, clear, and accurate at the elementary level. After completing the animation students have additional activities and exercises available to them. The links at the top of the page are particularly helpful. Users can access an index of the Flash animation slides, as well as a Teacher's Guide that includes example classroom activities and statewide learning standards for 3rd - 5th grades. Available in English and Spanish. Also available on CD.

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Neurotoxic Insecticides

How common insecticides create their toxic effects. The parts of the nervous system involved in neurotoxicity are explained. Requires Flash. Demo version is of one scene (Imidacloprid action).

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Species-Scape

Interactive illustration with different organisms sized based on relative number of species. Especially interesting is the relative size of the arachnids and insects. Requires Flash 5 or higher.

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WHAT MAKES A FIREFLY GLOW?

A short Flash-illustrated discussion of how lampyrids produce their famous light. The discussion includes a bit about the genomics of the process, as well as what the light is for behaviorally.

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