Amazing facts about turkey vultures and wasps

Sometimes gas pipelines leak. In the past this was a serious issue, as in its natural state gas has minimal odor. Without a strong identifying smell, leaks could go on undetected or be difficult to find even after they were known to exist. So companies started mixing in a strongly scented chemical known as ethyl mercaptan into the main supply. This solved the detection problem as humans could simply use their noses.

However, they were are not the only ones sniffing out the scent. Ironically, ethyl mercaptan is a chemical that is given off during the process of meat decay. For this reason turkey vultures, one of the few birds with a highly developed sense of smell as well as an intense fondness for decaying matter, were drawn to leaking pipeline. Company employees watched as large congregations of vultures soared overhead, searching for the rotting carcass they distinctly sensed down below.

It was not long before a circling group of birds was seen to indicate a problem and its source. To this day some companies still utilize turkey vultures in their search for leaks.

Did you know

that there is a large hole clear through the turkey vulture's beak which gives it its keen smelling ability?

that the turkey vulture is followed around by other birds with an inferior sense of smell but an equally large appetite for carrion in the hopes that they will be lead to their next meal?

that turkey vultures defecate on their feet to kill bacteria that are picked up from walking over decaying animal matter?

that turkey vultures regurgitate their food when cornered to confuse predators and give them time to escape?

Parasitic wasps have a great sense of smell which helps them locate food and caterpillar hosts. For this reason, scientists began including them in various experiments. One of these led to the discovery that wasps could be trained to seek out specific odors.

The scientists did this by first exposing wasps to a targeted scent. Then, while smelling this odor, wasps were given sugar water. In just half an hour or less they began to associate the smell with food and actively search for it.

The flying parasites are carried around in groups of five in a small hand-held device with a fan for ventiation. When scented air from the right substance reaches the wasps they congregate at the opening, eagerly hoping for food. This action is picked up by a small camera attached to a computer that alerts the holder of the device within seconds.

So far, wasps have been taught to signal the presence of TNT and marijuana through this method. They have even been successfully used in identifying various plant diseases. The only limiting factor in their use is their short lifespan. However, it is because of this that thousands can be bred in a relatively short time to create a substantial detective force.

Did you know

that parasitic wasps find corn borer caterpillars by following the chemical trails they leave behind?

that once they locate one of these caterpillars wasps will lay an egg inside of it which hatches and feasts upon its host?

At Colorado State University researchers have devised a way to make plants turn color when exposed to dangerous chemicals in the surrounding air or soil.

This is possible due to the fact that plants fade to a white coloration naturally as the consequence of disease or incorrect watering. Scientists simply modified the proteins responsible for detecting these problems and programmed them to also react to pollutants or explosives. Afterwards, when exposed to these chemicals the plants turn white. When the offending substances are removed, healthy green color is restored.

Presently the time needed for visible changes is hours, but scientists hope to turn this into minutes. They are also working to make differences in color more obvious, so that plant disease is not mistaken for the presence of a serious chemical threat. Once these problems have been corrected plants with this ability may be used in environmental protection projects or even in homeland security.

Did you know

that there are three main pigments in leaves that can change them a variety of different colors with the seasons?

that chlorophyll keeps plants green?

that carotenoids turn leaves yellow, orange, and brown?

that anthocyanins provide red hues?