The Breath of Life

[Charlene]

Would you expect smog to have the same effects on an insect's respiratory system as on a mammal's? Explain.

[Chris4]

No. Dont insescts, eg flies, breath through tiny holes in their skin? There must be some experiments or published data on the effects of smog/pollution on insects.

[Charlene]

No. Dont insescts, eg flies, breath through tiny holes in their skin?

so... you're saying chemicals cannot enter an insect's body through skin respiration?

[Chris4]

Not really. Maybe. I thought maybe it would be more damaging for them as chemicals and smog could clog up the tiny holes of the insect. We just get respiratory problems like asthma but pollution may kill insects. Or they may get asthma as well and then we could make tiny inhalers for them Sorry.
Reminds me of the story of the Pepper Moth. http://web.nmsu.edu/~wboeckle/biston.html
Instead of all the pollution and smog killing this insect the darker version of it survived better on the smog covered black tress. So smog didnt kill this insect.

[Charlene]

Oh... hehe

[MrMistery]

Pollution and smog is damaging for insects as it is for mamalls. It really depends on the insect, but, even though you would expect them to be more vulnerable to smog because of their respiratory system, they are highly addaptable and generally are not harmed by smog. Remember that 75% of the animals on this planet are insects...