Insects are found almost everywhere and in all environments.

They inhabited the earth before the dinosaurs — and are still with us today! We know of about 1 million species, but biologists think there are over 90 times that many that we just haven’t yet classified! Insects make up more than 80% of all living things on earth, and altogether weigh 70 times more than all the people do.

That’s a lot to buzz about!

While it is easy for us to think of all the harm that insects and arachnids cause, we should also remember that the world as we know it would be greatly diminished if they were not around. Many insects, not just bees and butterflies, pollinate our fruits, vegetables, and flowers; many insects and spiders prey upon or parasitize harmful species (biological control); they are important links in the food webs of terrestrial and aquatic communities; some help break down dead things and wastes; some serve as models for scientific studies (e.g., genetics); some help us solve crimes; and they can be objects of great beauty . . . and more.

As the great biologist E. O. Wilson said, they are “the little things that run the world”.

Thanks Dr. Sissom, Associate Dean of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Department Head of Chemistry & Physics and, Department Head of Life, Earth, & Environmental Sciences for sharing about “the little things that run the world”!

Insect chemistry can be “enlightening” (fireflies), sticky, destructive, or deadly (termites and insect venom). One benefit of insects is the beauty and wonder they provide. What would we do without butterflies? Their wings are very special: highly waterproof and made of tiny crystals that interact with light. The top hard shell of the jewel (wood-boring) beetle is similarly iridescent and is used for necklaces and believe it or not, in some places, people even wear these insects as live decorations! he next time you hear buzzing, consider the diversity and impact of all the insects that live on our planet. Important to chemistry, ecology, and so much more, let’s take a bow to bugs!

Thanks Dr. Flynn, Professor of Biochemistry, for sending this information from The American Chemical Society and how Chemists celebrate Earth Month!

Insects makeup over 80% of terrestrial species on Earth, and include bees, ants, butterflies, grasshoppers, and beetles, among many others. Insects drive the production of essential seeds, fruits, and vegetables via pollination, and are necessary decomposers of organic matter. Insects are keystone species that provide invaluable ecosystem services that extend beyond pollination, by providing biological control of pests, and acting as bio-indicators of healthy streams and soils. Insects form the base of complex ecological food webs in agricultural, natural, and urban areas, shaping the appearance, beauty and complexity of these diverse landscapes.

Thanks Mrs. Jones-Gray, Instructor of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science,

for sharing fun facts about insects!

Dr. Nabarun Ghosh, Professor of Biology was featured on News Channel 10, in Amarillo to talk about the severe allergies in the Texas Panhandle. “When we have moisture in the Texas panhandle area and followed with dry condition it will result into tons of more spores,” said Dr. Ghosh.

He and his research team have also trapped pollen from Tulsa with wind being able to carry particles 500 miles. Outside of prescribing inhalers and antihistamines, medical experts recommend closing your doors and changing filters.

Well done, Dr. Ghosh!

WT's Climate Science Society taught kids, at the Amarillo Zoo's annual "Easter Eggcitement" about Arctic ecosystems and Arctic warming. They created a hands-on learning experiment to make it fun and engaging with the kids to show them how climate affects the ecosystems and temperature warming in the Arctic. Members that helped with the event included:

Jaclynn Guy, JR. Environmental Science; Jacob Hurst, SR. Physics;

Heather Ogle, SOPH. Environmental Science; Landry Judd, SOPH. Environmental Science; Trung Diep, M.S. Environmental Science; and William Norwood, SR. Environmental Science. Well done, buffs!

From L to R: Dr. Tommy Perkins, Associate Professor of Animal Science, Sydney Hickerson, M.S. Animal Science,

Taylor McAtee, M.S. Animal Science, Katy Jo Richardson, M.S. Animal Science, Noah Jesko, Ph.D. Agriculture

Graduate Students from the Department of Agricultural Sciences presented their research at the 2022 Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo in Fort Worth, TX. This provided an environment that facilitated interaction between industry professionals, producers, and graduate researchers. Beef producers got insight into the type of research being conducted at regional universities.

In the poster competition, Katy Jo Richardson received 1^st place and was invited to speak at the Convention Learning lounge later that afternoon!

Congratulations, Katy Jo!

The Department of Agricultural Sciences has begun collaborating with American Implement, a major John Deere dealership, to develop a new precision agriculture course which will provide students with hands-on experience using technologies predicted to shape the future of agriculture. The course is anticipated to be offered as early as Spring 2023.

As part of this continued partnership, members of the WT Crops and Soils Judging Teams had the opportunity to tour the American Implement facilities in Garden City, Kansas in late March.

As we finish the last week of classes and begin finals

I found these anonymously penned “Rules of Life”:

1. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
2. What others think of you is none of your business.
3. Time heals almost everything, give it time.
4. Don’t compare your life to others and don’t judge them. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
5. Stop thinking too much, it’s alright not to know the answers. They will come to you when you least expect it.
6. No one is in charge of your happiness, except you.
7. Smile. You don’t own all the problems in the world.

–Unknown