Article:
Solar-Powered Hornet Found; Turns Light Into Electricity
Published by National Geographic News
Author: Matt Kaplan
URL: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/12/101221-solar-power-hornet-science-animals/
Summary/Description:
This article basically explains that the this species of hornet generates electricity for unknown purposes, but it is know HOW they produce electricity. Scientists first started observing these hornet because of their abnormal activity patterns. Unlike other hornets this species is most active during the afternoon. Scientists soon found that the brown sections of the exoskeleton contain melanin, the pigment which, in humans, turns dangerous UV light into heat in addition to determining skin color and tans. Thanks to the unique structure of the exoskeleton only one percent of the light that hits the hornets' body in the brown parts is reflected. The yellow part of the exoskeleton, which contains the much rarer pigment xanthopterin (No, I cannot pronounce that properly, but I think it's "zanth-op-ter-in"), is where the important action takes place. This xanthopterin, when put in a liquid solution exposed to light, generated electricity at .335 efficiency (Human artificial solar cells produce between 10 and 11 percent).
Reaction:
I was impressed by this. I mean, an electric hornet? How could that not be cool? Still, it gives no reason for the insects producing the electricity, which is what I would really like to know about. It may take extensive study, but knowing why it is produced may lead to further discoveries, and if the military is interested enough, possibly lead to weaponization, the latter of which I do not approve of. Learning why the hornets produce the electricity would be more useful to everyone than what has already been learned, because our solar power cells are already more productive than these hornets. Biologists should look at creatures with similar niches, just to see if there are any other odd adaptions that were missed and should be looked in to.
Thoughtful questions:
- Is this discovery really noteworthy? Why or why not?
- Do you think there are other animals with electricity producing chemicals? If so, how many?
- Could this be beneficial to humans? (Meat + Dairy + Electricity farm anyone?)
- Do you think that we could genetically alter ourselves to produce xanthopterin? I am serious; after all, it would be useful to walk outside and photosynthetically charge your phone, wouldn't it?
If you had $500, an army, and a few other nonsensical things for you to have, where would you go on your rampage?
