Identification of the Insect Threats of Walden West Biological Station

Walden West Biological Station is a 120 acre property which was recently donated to Adrian College. The property possesses a diverse array of habitats and will be useful in teaching topics such as geology, ecology, hydrology,... [ view full abstract ]

Walden West Biological Station is a 120 acre property which was recently donated to Adrian College. The property possesses a diverse array of habitats and will be useful in teaching topics such as geology, ecology, hydrology, entomology, etc. Since the property is so valuable, it is integral that we assess its potential risks, both manmade and biological. One of the biggest threats to any natural system is that of harmful insects. All around the world, insects cause exorbitant amounts of environmental, aesthetic, and monetary damage. But it is important to differentiate between those insects that are considered pestiferous only because they cause monetary damage, and those that cause harm to the health of a given area beyond the scope of economic loss. It has been determined that certain taxonomic orders of insects are more harmful than others, whether it be through their propensity to consume plant life or their ability to vector diseases to both plants and animals. In the case of invasive insects, they can interrupt the natural systems already in place and throw off delicately balanced ecosystems. Extensive research has been conducted on plant and vertebrate invasive species, but that research is relatively lacking with regard to invasive insects and harmful insects in general. The purpose of this research was to determine what families of harmful insects exist at Walden West and assess the damage they could possibly be inflicting on the property. I collected and identified insects from six transects of various habitats, as well as a malaise trap in a fixed location. The families of these insects were then assessed for their propensity to harm the ecological balance of Walden West. Conducting research on the insect populations of Walden West helps to both preserve the property by assessing its threats and add to the current body of scientific knowledge on the topic of harmful insects. In this way, we protect the property for use by the college and protect the investment of the donors. As the purpose of this research was to address the question of potential threats to the health of the biosphere, it applies to the ribbon “Thinking Critically.”