ZQ28

Editorial Mosquitoes and mites and copepods, Oh My! All good bio-designers know that Arthropods rule (the largest phylum on the planet at over 1 million counted species), and this issue is largely about the very small. We have three of the four classes of Arthropoda represented: insects (mosquito), arachnids (mites), and crustaceans (copepods). Had we actually planned our topics, we might have thrown myriapods (centipedes and millipedes) in for good measure. Julie Laurin, one of our portfolio artists, is enthralled with the microscopic creatures one can find in everyday surroundings, including copepods, and wants you to be, too. Both she and fellow artist and scientist Noah Bressman, bring a passion and curiosity and an urge to share their joy of nature to their two pieces. Julie describes her “A Tiny World” citizen curiosity project, and Noah explains his terrible case of “icthyofilia” and how he creates his stunning images of fish. Editor Tom McKeag pleads the case for the much-maligned mosquito in his article about some innovations inspired by this master vector. Heidi Fischer takes us to the bizarre world of the mite, and how intrepid researchers are expanding our knowledge of this invertebrate; sometimes telling us more than we might care to know!

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In this issue we also interview biomimicry consultant Jamie Miller of Biomimicry Frontiers of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and learn his views on the state of the practice, entrepreneurship, and the need for a societal change in attitude. Ben Morgan offers his metrics for greater success in the practice, using case study examples. Finally, Ryan Church discusses how the green chemistry of nature could inspire sustainability efforts across energy generation, storage, and distribution. Ryan details examples from nature’s chemistry toolbox, photosynthesis, ATP (adenosine triphosphate), and bioenzymes like quinones. All for the good. Happy reading!

Tom McKeag, Norbert Hoeller and Marjan Eggermont

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