Dragonfly

Notes:

Dragonflies began to share with the birds responsibility whitish staining that appear from time to time in the bodywork of cars. Staff of the Institute of Chemistry, USP found that the tiny eggs of these insects when in contact with the hot body of the vehicle, triggering a reaction that produces cysteic acid - stronger than sulfuric acid - can erode the paint and cause rust in addition to stains. The insects are attracted by the light reflected from the smooth bodywork of cars, an effect that resembles the surface of the water, where dragonflies lay their eggs. "Dragonflies are guided by vision. Just so they recognize where there is water. When sunlight falls on smooth surfaces such as glass plate, or the floor waxed and polished bodywork of a car, they are confused by the reflection of light and end depositing eggs on these surfaces , "explains Cassio Stevani, USP. Three or four hours after laying , the first spots ( 5mm diameter ) begin to appear. This is because, insect eggs have an amino acid - cysteine ​​- which, on contact with the hot bodywork turns into cysteic acid, corroding the body. When laying eggs - are about 300 at a time - the dragonfly releases hydrogen peroxide, resulting from chemical process to harden them and darken them a natural protection mechanism. "Hydrogen peroxide acts as an oxidizing agent," explains Stevani . According to him, the threat of dragonflies is more common in rural areas during the day, when the angle that the sun's rays do by focusing on the bodywork simulates the surface of the water. (http://www.bv.fapesp.br/namidia/noticia/...)