bugs | Ask Dr. Universe | Washington State University

^{Ask Dr. Universe} _bugs

University Communications Network > Ask Dr. Universe > bugs

Dr. Universe: How do bugs walk on water? -Annelise W., 6, Seattle, WA

December 12, 2016 rcwebber

Dear Annelise,

The other day I was out ice skating when I started thinking about your question. Water strider bugs skitter across ponds almost as if they were skating on ice.

Dear Dr. Universe: How do spiders make silk? Also, sometimes spiders hang down from the ceiling, when they climb back up, where does the silk go? –Johnny, 8, Pullman, WA

October 3, 2016 rcwebber

Dear Johnny,

Spiders can do some amazing things with their sticky, stretchy, and super-strong silk. Us cats are pretty curious about these little silk-spinning machines, too.

What is the smallest insect on Earth? -Laurenz, 8, Molino, Philippines

June 30, 2016 rcwebber

Dear Laurenz,

When I saw your question, I set out to explore with my bug net and a magnifying glass. I was searching all around for tiny insects when I ran into my friend Laura Lavine, a Washington State University scientist who studies bugs.

She said there are nearly a million different kinds of insects on Earth. The smallest of all the known ones are called fairyflies.

Dear Dr. Universe, Do bugs have hearts and brains? -Nick

February 2, 2015 rcwebber

Take a look inside a bug and you’ll find one brain in its head and other little brains called “ganglia” along its whole body. These tiny control centers help insects see, taste, and smell. They also help them quickly escape threats, like other bugs.

“If you had little brains everywhere else, you would also be much quicker,” says bug expert Laura Lavine. Read More ...