The Legend of the Poinsettia

The Introduction       
    Every year my grandmother puts out a poinsettia plant in her window.  I have always wondered why she puts out that red, star-shaped flower out.  I did some research and it turns out there is a whole story behind it.  The story takes place in Mexico with a girl named Pepita.
The Legend
    Pepita and her cousin, Pedro, were walking to the chapel in their small village.  It was tradition that everyone in town had to bring a gift to offer to the baby Jesus.  She could not afford a gift so she felt sad.  Her cousin told her, trying to cheer her up, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, would be acceptable.  

    Pepita didn't know what to do, so she knelt down on the ground and picked some weeds.  She put them in a small bouquet and walked into the chapel.  She that she felt so embarrassed almost started to cry.  As she walked towards the alter she remembered her cousin's words.  She place the bouquet at the foot of the Nativity scene.  At that instant, the weeds miraculously bloomed vivid red flowers.  This was truly a Christmas miracle.
     This story teaches us that it does not matter how extravigent a gift is.  What matters is that it is gven with love.
The Description
     The poinsettia, when full grown, can reach anywhere from 2 to 16 feet.  It is mainly found and is native to Mexico.  Their leaves are usually a brilliant red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, or white.  In order for them to get their bright color they have to be in complete darkness for at least 12 hours and during the day, be in bright sunlight during the day.
Who plants poinsettias?
     One of the largest cultivaters of poinsettia plants is the Ecke Ranch.  Until the 1990's, the Ecke ranch basicly had control of the poinsettia market.  This was the result for grafting two kinds of poinsettia together to get a more full plant.  In the 1990's, the method of grafting the two breeds together was discovered and published.  Soon many companies started producing more of the plants.  The company moved into Latin America and started buisness there.  Today, Paul Ecke III is the owner of the ranch.  Despite the competion, the Ecke ranch still produces 70% of the poinsettias in the U.S. and 50% of them world wide.
The Conclusion
    conclusion, the poinsettia plant has a rich history.  The legend got me thinking.  Do you think more people appreciate the gifts they get, even if they are very humble, or do people onlt want- and expect- the priciest gifts.  I would love to hear your opinion on the matter.

Check this video out if you want to know how to decorate with poinsettias
Further reading-
http://www.ecke.com/new1/poinsettias.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poinsettia

What Causes the Common Cold?

During this time of year, many people become ill with the common cold.  You are probably wondering- what causes the common cold?  Well, the main cause of the common cold rhinovirus is a virus called rhinovirus.  The reason it is called the rhinovirus is because the Greek prefix "rhin" means nose, where they usually reproduce.  They have to be between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius to reproduce.  The nose is the perfect temperature.  There are 99 known rhinoviruses know to infect humans.  These viruses are relatively small compared to the smallpox virus.
The cold is transmitted two different ways.  It can be transmitted though coughing and/or sneezing or by direct contact.  The most colds in the United States happen between September and April.  This is because this is the start of the school year where many kids are close together.  During this time of year, more people stay indoors, which increases the chance of the transmission of the disease.
The common cold has many symptoms.   Symptoms include runny or stuffy nose, itchy or soar throat, a cough, body aches or a headache, a mild fever, and sneezing.  The cold is contagious.
There is no cure for the common cold.  Luckily, the ailment is harmless.  The only thing you can do is to drink a lot of fluids and to rest.  The transmission of the disease can be prevented if you wash your hands frequently.  If you are sick, you should stay home from work or school so more people do not catch it.

           

http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-125207/Common-cold?q=common+cold&qpvt=common+cold
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinovirus

     Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches can live for 5 years on average.  They are one of the largest species of cockroach.  They can reach up to 4 inches long.  They mainly eat vegetable matter.  Now that you know the basics on this cockroach, you are probably wondering why they hiss.

     As we all know, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches make a distinctive hissing sound. Have you ever wondered how they do this? Well, they hiss by forcing air through breathing pores, called spiracles. They are the only insects that can make noise like that. Most insects make noise by rubbing different body parts together.  Hissing genes are passed down from generation to generation.

     They have different hisses for different circumstances. They sometimes hiss when they are disturbed. They also have a certain hiss that attracts females. The males hiss when they see females. Males that hiss the loudest are most likely to mate. Their other hiss is used when fighting. A study was conducted in which a male, who could hiss, and a male, whose spiracles were covered, were placed in an enclosure. The male who could hiss almost always won.

     These cockroaches can be kept as pets if you wanted to.  I find these roaches very interesting because of their unique ability to hiss.  I find it weird that they hiss to attract females.  What do you think?

     
   


Information from http://lhsfoss.org/fossweb/teachers/materials/plantanimal/hissingcockroaches.html
                          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar_hissing_cockroach
                         

Winter Survival 101- For Bugs

     During the winter, you usually do not see bugs very of often.  That is because they have special techniques to help them survive the winter.  Some of these tactics include migrating, going through the winter while changing stages, and hibernating.
     Some insects, such as the Monarch butterfly, migrate south for the winter.  They do this to get to warmer temperatures.  They start to migrate when they notice that the weather starts to get cooler.  The Monarch butterfly has one of the world's largest migration.  They travel over 3,000 miles from the northern U.S. and Canada to Mexico in groups of  thousands.
     Another method to surviving the winter is changing stages in the life cycle.  Many bugs survive the winter by changing its stage.  Insects stay a certain stage of their life cycle throughout the winter.  They can go through the winter as pupae, eggs, or nymphs.  They adapt to there surroundings to make it possible to "weather the winter weather".  For example, some nymphs, lay dormant n frozen rivers for the winter.
     Insects can also hibernate cold, bitter winter.  This dormant state is caused diapause.  During this diapause, insects produce this chemical called glycerol that acts like an antifreeze.  Insects also lower their water content.  Bees cluster together and flap their wings to keep warm.  Other insects burrow underground or into trees.
     Insects like to keep warm in the winter.  If you were an insect, which way would you want to keep warm in the winter?  Why?



Information courtesy of- http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4DMG/Pests/winter.htm
                                     http://www.si.edu/encyclopedia_si/nmnh/buginfo/winter.htm
                                     http://www.fs.fed.us/monarchbutterfly/migration/index.shtml