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- A Damselfly muches on a fly
Back in 2000, Dr. C. Everett Koop said: “Except for smoking, obesity is now the number one preventable cause of death in this country. Three hundred thousand people die of obesity every year.” Childhood obesity is certainly a national concern. To address this science and health based issue, Discovery Place ScienceReach offers a popular program entitled: “You Are What You Eat” The program helps learners to make healthy and wise dietary choices. But how do we show the importance of nutrition with living things so that people can experience and observe it? How could I experiment with this idea? So this got me thinking …
Do organisms other than humans have to make “wise nutritional choices”? Specifically, do insects get fat?
It is always a good idea to learn what you can before you begin an experiment. So what do I know and what can I find out about insects that would help me to answer my question. So I will set up an experiment in the Explore More Life lab this summer. I will provide normal nutrition to one group of insects (the control group) and give twice as much to another group of the same insects (the experimental group) and I will hold other variables constant and we will see what happens…
Here are the things that I know: Insects go through stages from egg to larva to adult (metamorphosis). It turns out that the adult stage called the imago is the shortest lived and that the imago is not really interested in eating at all! Insects are constrained by an exoskeleton too. (Imagine how uncomfortable it would be to gain weight if your skeleton was on the outside of your body. This would be a definite disincentive to overeating.) .Insect larval stages are a different matter altogether. Insects molt. If they gain weight, liquid pressure splits their exoskeleton so that it will fit into another exoskeleton which grows underneath. (Disturbing thought but imagine splitting open your old body and growing into another one every time you gained weight! I would have to stop eating pizza or at least stop visiting restaurants that offer all you can eat buffets)… Anyway, here is yet another problem for insects: They can only go through a genetically predetermined number of molts. If insects get the nutrition they need they develop faster and become adults faster. And remember the adult stage is the shortest lived! Damselflies for example are ephemeral or short lived (Order ephemeroptera). Once they reach the adult stage they may only live a few weeks. (So for me I would probably die after about three Thanksgiving feasts - Bummer!)
So it seems like if you eat too much you die quickly whether you are an insect or a human being… and while insects do not really get fat, they do live shorter lives if they get too much nutrition too quickly.
Human parallels anyone?
Vice President, Learning Experiences 8 Posts
Robert Corbin is VP, Learning Experiences at Discovery Place. Prior to joining Discovery Place in 2007, Robert spent 15 years in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system, teaching science and serving Science Academic Content Coach and mentor. Robert has developed science curricula for the Weather Channel, Paramount Pictures, the ASPCA, and the Environmental Literacy Council and he wrote curriculum to accompany Al Gore’s film, An Inconvenient Truth.
Robert holds an M.A. degree in Natural Science Teaching from the University of South Carolina and a B.S. in Science Education from Michigan State University and recently completed his doctoral degree at UNC-Charlotte.
Comments
Post a CommentI do not know of any human parallels to that of an insects molt cycle that if they eat too many nutrients then they age faster. Humans, especially americans are more concerned with pizza nd potato chips then nutrients so I don't believe there will be any human parallel.
I was going to ask if insects have ever gained fat? I believe they don't because their life span is short, they usually eat same food per individual insect, and it always seems as if they are moving so they would have a high metabolism. I've never seen a fat beetle but perhaps its exoskeleton is covering it up! Thoughts?
jim montague - May 20, 2010
This question really gets you thinking about all the variables involved. Does it depend on where the insect lives. They could live in an environment that has a plethora of food or one that they must search for food constantly just for survival which is kind of the case for humans. Do certain insects have better diets in general than others so in that case if insects do get fat are certain insects more pron to getting fat? Humans that have lots of money or resources are more likely to eat more or better and ones that don't have resources might not get to eat enough at all or eat things that are bad for you. You would think that an insect could in some way get fat or at least be bigger than others due to what they eat and how fast they mature to an adult. Some insects might me more active than others just like humans or like another blogger said they might have higher metabolisms than others just like humans. You must think about how each person in the world is different with their own body and metabolism but also their food intake habits and exercise routines. This question really has me thinking. Do insects really live long enough to get fat? Does their diet allow for them to get fat? i mean there not eating big macs or fries like most Americans are.
jessica abee - May 20, 2010
I think yes insects do get fat, but maybe only certain ones. For example the instance of the caterpillar. As a teacher, the first thought that came to my mind was the Very Hungry Caterpillar.
tabatha coulter - May 21, 2010
i think animals do get fat just like humans because they grow but i think it depend on wat they eat and how they eat it bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ms.coulter class - May 21, 2010
i think yes because when a tic suck on people blood it gains wieght
mrs.couter class - May 21, 2010
I think they do get fat becuse they eat so much
tabatha coulter - May 21, 2010
I SAY YES BECUASE they eat a lot just like us so that why i thank they gain weght just like us .thank you for listen:)
MRS.COULTERCLASS - May 21, 2010
I think the do because if the eat too much nutrients.Just like when flys eat too much they get bigger or fatter.And when mosquitos drink too much blood they get fat.So I do think they do get fatter..
Essence - May 21, 2010
yes,because insects can get fat like a mosquisos get big and get small
Demarco - May 21, 2010
I think yes because insects are like people i think because some insecs are bigger then others
Ollie - May 21, 2010
TiCK AND MOSQUITOS THE SUCK BLOOD THEN GO TO OTHER PROSN THE BIG AND BIG
tabatha coulter - May 21, 2010
i think yes because they eat other insects and some suck blood because they are hungry and some insects born fat.
Mrs coulter's 5th grade class - May 21, 2010
i think yes because insects are very unique .maybe some will get fatter and some will not .
mosquitos are weird i think they suck your blood and they get big then they get skinner.
tabatha coulter - May 21, 2010
I think insect do get fat, like a mostquitoes does when they drink on a person blood they get fat but then back to their normal size.Sometime it depends on what they eat or how much they eat.
tabatha coulter - May 21, 2010
I Thank yes because win mosquist suck your blood it get fat but don,t get fat they story the blood
tabatha coulter - May 21, 2010
yes insects do get fat because they have to when there are so small but they eat alot
tabatha coulter - May 21, 2010
I think they do get fat ,like some of the animals who are flying creatures and eat blood like bees and mostiquitose suck peoples blood and people might be alergic to them
Ms.coutlers class - May 21, 2010
I think yes becuse insetse are a litte bet big but thay are some big and small insetse have small body to eat a lots of food. think you
ms.cotter - May 21, 2010
We think that insects do get fat, but in our observations of the growth of a caterpillar, we are unable to tell if it ate too much or what it needed in order to prepare for metamorphis.
At the same time insects don't get fat like humans, it is a natural part of their life cycle.
Mrs. Schweiber's Second Grade Class - May 21, 2010
I do not know if insects get fat; i have never seen an over weight insect. I believe they know when to stop eating. I wonder if insects have tastebuds like humans? Most people eat more food than needed because it tastes so good.
Misty Tarlton - May 21, 2010
Gosh, I never thought about this before, but I've never seen an overweight bug! There are so many things to consider when determining why it is that bugs don't get fat. For one, bugs don't live very long as adults. Humans are adults for 55+ years and have way more time to consume food that could cause obesity. Poor little bugs. Their adult lives are usually the shortest part of their life cycles.
Another major factor is that bugs do not eat the same things that could lead to obesity (french fries, pizza, hamburgers, etc.). Wait.... now that I think about it, some bugs are attracted to these foods! Ants are always crashing picnics and flies are also attracted to human food. Okay, but maybe in general you won't catch a bug consuming pizza and chuggin' down a coke. The bugs who do stick to their natural nutritional diets probably don't get fat because I'm sure that nature automatically provides the correct amount of nutrition necessary for each particular type of bug diet.
So, either bugs don't get fat at all or they die before we notice!
Alexis Davis - May 22, 2010
I guess having you exoskeleton fall off is the same as getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar! People have access to an abundant amount of food. We have also adapted to our social means of overeating. Doctors have new medicines and surgical procedures to keep the body going even if it is unhealthy and could not survive without their intervention. If we had to hunt and gather food every day, I don't think we would be such an obese society. An insect needs to find food each day and is on the move for it. His body is probably designed to exist on the fact that he might not find enough food each day. If he over eats, there's no team of doctors available to keep him from shedding.
Helen Dendinger - May 22, 2010
Is this question ultimately tied to the meaning of life? While insects may be less "intellectually" advanced than humans, their purpose in life is easier to see and probably always attained. For insects food is used as a tool to accomplish their ultimate purpose. For many of us humans food is used as a tool and a recreation. What's the saying...'some eat to live while others live to eat'. From the information posed in Dr. Corbin's blog, it would seem to me that insects could not get fat because eating more would simply quicken their life cycle.
Jennifer Privitera - May 23, 2010
No because they fly around all day and they get exercise from their wings. They don't get fat because they don't eat that much food.
Ms. Privitera's Kindergarten Class - May 24, 2010
Do insects get fat? I never really thought about that truthfully!! That's a tough one... honestly my answer is... I guess not. I would say no because their lifespan is not as long as humans so maybe they do not have the time to pack on those lbs the way humans can. Also, they eat truly "organic" food for the most part so I can't imagine what could cause them to get "fat." I know that I have seen bugs and insects of many different sizes but I wouldn't say they are fat... their bodies don't seem to have the ability to stretch and ummmm.... carry body fat the way humans do... so I'm gonna hold strong and say no bugs can not get fat.
Lindsey Lemon - May 27, 2010
Insects do not get fact in that they store excess adipose tissue as humans do. Some have temporary gorging sessions but there physiology doesn't allow for it.
Johnny Knowsnothing - May 27, 2010
Never thought about this before, but I would say there is a possibility. Bugs are constantly moving, gathering food and exploring new areas, which leads them to burn off the food and nutrients that was taken in. What about a lazy bug that sits around and lets the others find food, move, explore, etc?!
Ashley K - May 27, 2010
If you want to see fat insects come look at my tomatoe plants they are covered with FAT aphids, amazing how much a pin size bug can suck up. I plan on putting them on a 7 dust diet tonight though.
sumday - May 27, 2010
I have always known that if household pets are fed too much, they put on weight similar to humans, but have never thought about insects. It's interesting to me that when they have received too many nutrients they grow out of their current skeleton and into a new one, essentially ending their lives sooner. Even though we humans don't grow into new skeleton when we have eaten too much, it seems to be a growing trend that overeating is shortening our life span.
Tabor McKenney - May 27, 2010
I didn't know that insects had a limit to how often they shed their exoskeloton! I guess I just assumed it happened as many times as it needed too. Is that true for snakes too?? I also never thought about a bugs inablility to get fat. I have read "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" several times and that caterpillar sure does get fat! So I guess we should follow the bugs example and only eat what we need and we will be in good shape to live healthy long lives.
Becky Kochany - May 28, 2010
I think obesity is more of a human creation. We have created the larger portion sizes to create more profits for our companies, we have emotional issues that prompt eating, eating is a social activity. I think for animals eating is a necessity-to live. I don't see any squirrels building a nut buffet! Yes, I have seen an obese squirrel diving into a garbage can digging for doughnuts, but I think that shows the effect humans have an nature. So, to answer the bug question: my answer would be no, except that the human impact on their environment may lead to them to this behavior that causes them to be fat. Again, fat would need to be defined as some bugs/animals naturally have higher body mass for various reasons (think rolly pollies).
Kathleen Z. - May 29, 2010
I really do not think insects get fat, but that would be an assumption with no scientific facts to base this statement. It would be interesting to see if they did get larger faster then if it did speed up their life cycle. As for how it compares to humans, I do not think this would slow down the process of obesity although humans gain weight for other reasons than over-eating. Medications and stress also factor in or at least can change their lifestyle habits. Now, if you can figure out a way to take these factors out of the equations when comparing humans to insects then maybe you will have something. I can not wait to follow this and see how the process goes.
Michelle Helms - May 29, 2010
Do insects get fat? I would have to agree with many of our bloggers that insects, like most other living creatures (besides us), eat what they need to survive and in between meals and snacks are constantly working those calories off their bodies. Let's face it. If insects are not eating, they are working -- building shelter, collecting food, killing food, defending themselves from attack, and interestingly enough, shedding pounds (theoretically speaking) while they eat. Did you know there are certain foods WE can eat which take more caloric effort to digest than the calories in the food themselves? (I don't think chocolate is one of them, FYI). One way you can definitely know that insects do not get fat is just to take an hour and watch them. They are way too obsessed with moving, than lounging on the couch to watch "Desperate Houseflies." By the way, do insects make wise nutritional choices? That's a tough question. In one sense, the answer may be no, that in fact, they do not really think about what they eat, but their systems are sophisticated enough that whatever they eat, they are able to use it for energy and nutrition.On the other hand, I guess I have seen an insect bypass one entree for another, so perhaps there is evidence that these little buggers know what they are doing.
Linda Hastings - May 30, 2010
Will thinks that insects can get too fat at the larva stage. Victor agrees with Will. When you're an egg, you really can't eat, so you're safe at that stage. When you're a larva, that's where all the eating really happens. Eating too much could clot your veins, says Victor. Whitney thinks it's really intersting that no matter which creature you are, eating too much can mean earlier death. Note to self, say no to the Swedish fish on top of the microwave, left over from the jello aquariums made for the kindergarteners on Ocean Day.
Will Godfrey, Victor Martinez. and - May 30, 2010
I think that this is a trick question. Both yes and no. Insects eat what they need to to survive. If they over eat they break out of their old skeleton and form a new one. So they can over eat but they will pay the price of death, like humans if they are not careful. No, because they have a pre-determined number of exoskeletons which tells them how many chances they have. It is up to the insect whether they want to live a short life or long life!
Ashton Davis - June 24, 2010
not really because a insect has a skeleton on the outside it cant get fat but according to mitchell symons if they eat to much they explode
by mubzy woo woo
Muby - September 27, 2010
I think that a MASSIVE education campaign is needed to teach the general population nutrition, healthy eating and the need to lead a physically active lifestyle if we are to halt the current trend toward obesity and reverse it. I think that people need to have a rudimentary understanding about what happens in their bodies when they eat, as well as what they should eat, when they should eat and how to eat. I think that the type of information found in the following two links needs to be at the core of such a campaign.
http://www.fatburninganswers.com/informative-articles/fat-burning-nutrition-facts
http://www.fatburninganswers.com/informative-articles/fat-burning-diet
Jay - September 22, 2011