From beckstei’s photostream
I have a fondness for aphids. Not exactly a fondness but certainly a respect. I don’t much like them sucking the sap of my plants but ever since I found out that they are capable of giving birth without the benefit of a male (parthenogenesis) I’ve wondered if they aren’t much further along than we, evolutionarily speaking. Babies with sex at times or without, convenient. Eric Grissell, an entomologist and gardener wrote an enchanting book on insects called Insects and Gardens. It’s educational and very readable, with lots of cool photos and fun facts that you might or might not want to know.
I ran across this video called Virgin Mothers by John Dunstan at The Metropolitan Field Guide (ideas, thoughts and resources for the design of urban wildlife habitat) website. The website is well worth a visit especially since the author is based in Seattle, but the video on aphids is a must-see. It is really about the ecosystem surrounding aphids. The videography is stunning and there is enough narration to keep you interested without being overwhelming or pedantic.
