Difference between revisions of "Insects"
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| − | '''Insects''' play an important role in a [[biosphere]]. On [[Earth]] they are the animal group with the greatest variety, comprising more than a million species. They live in almost every climate. | + | '''Insects''' play an important role in a [[:Category:Biospherics|biosphere]]. On [[Earth]] they are the animal group with the greatest variety, comprising more than a million species. They live in almost every climate. |
| − | On [[Mars]] the natural [[environmental conditions]] do not allow insects to live, same as for every other known animal. But in an artificial human [[habitat]] insects might be very useful to build a biosphere in [[greenhouse]]s. They can help to pollinate blooms, decay dead pieces of plants, etc. | + | On [[Mars]] the natural [[environmental conditions]] do not allow insects to live, same as for every other known animal. But in an artificial human [[habitat]] insects might be very useful to build a biosphere in [[greenhouse]]s. They can help to pollinate blooms, decay dead pieces of [[:category:plants|plants]], etc. The insect species must be selected carefully to establish a long term stable population. |
| + | |||
| + | Certain species can be used as [[food]] for colonists, providing valuable proteins. | ||
==Wanted species== | ==Wanted species== | ||
| − | *[[ | + | *[[Bees]] and [[flies]] for pollinating blooms |
| − | *[[ | + | *[[Slaters]], [[springtails]] and [[earthworms]] for accelerating decay in [[compost]] heap |
| + | *[[Spiders]] for insect population control | ||
==Not wanted species== | ==Not wanted species== | ||
| − | Any blood sucking insects and human parasites, e.g. ticks, | + | Any blood sucking insects and human parasites, e.g. ticks, mosquitoes, flea, etc. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Open issues== | ||
| + | *Is there long term experience with mixed insect populations within a hermetically encapsulated environment? | ||
| + | |||
| − | |||
[[Category:Biospherics]] | [[Category:Biospherics]] | ||
Revision as of 07:37, 16 August 2008
Insects play an important role in a biosphere. On Earth they are the animal group with the greatest variety, comprising more than a million species. They live in almost every climate.
On Mars the natural environmental conditions do not allow insects to live, same as for every other known animal. But in an artificial human habitat insects might be very useful to build a biosphere in greenhouses. They can help to pollinate blooms, decay dead pieces of plants, etc. The insect species must be selected carefully to establish a long term stable population.
Certain species can be used as food for colonists, providing valuable proteins.
Wanted species
- Bees and flies for pollinating blooms
- Slaters, springtails and earthworms for accelerating decay in compost heap
- Spiders for insect population control
Not wanted species
Any blood sucking insects and human parasites, e.g. ticks, mosquitoes, flea, etc.
Open issues
- Is there long term experience with mixed insect populations within a hermetically encapsulated environment?
