From Pupae to Adult

Amazing how my simple digital camera could capture this mosquito emerging from the pupae casing. This is an Aedes aegypti female.


The adult breaks open the pupal case and starts to crawl out.


The adult starts to unfold its front legs, its abdomen elongated. Note the pupa on the top right corner.


After a couple of minutes, the unfolded front legs rests delicately on the water surface. But the last pair of legs are still attached to the pupal case.


Top view of the mosquito. Note the distinct lyre shape white markings of the torso.

For more info on the Aedes life cycle, have a look here.

Hello Kyoto

Some of us might be aware that the Kyoto Protocol comes into force today. About 141 countries (not including the USA, China, and India), which makes up about 55% of greenhouse gas emissions have signed up for this treaty and promised to cut these emissions by 5.2% by 2012.

I do believe that pollution is a big problem and we should be doing something about it and fast. Question is, will this Kyoto Protocol make a difference?
My answer is no.

This event has me suddenly think of the song Changes by David Bowie:

I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

More about Kyoto and related links:
UNEP
BBC Climate Change
Climate Change: Menace or Myth?

Spring time?

Poem lyrics of To Spring by William Blake.

O thou with dewy locks, who lookest down
Thro' the clear windows of the morning, turn
Thine angel eyes upon our western isle,
Which in full choir hails thy approach, O Spring!

The hills tell each other, and the listening
Valleys hear; all our longing eyes are turned
Up to thy bright pavilions: issue forth,
And let thy holy feet visit our clime.

Come o'er the eastern hills, and let our winds
Kiss thy perfumed garments; let us taste
Thy morn and evening breath; scatter thy pearls
Upon our love-sick land that mourns for thee.

O deck her forth with thy fair fingers; pour
Thy soft kisses on her bosom; and put
Thy golden crown upon her languished head,
Whose modest tresses were bound up for thee.


And here's a picture I took this afternoon.

First Buzz

Hello! A little side project to hopefully be of use to someone.
So, the first task for me to do is introduce the mosquito.
Here's Wiki's