Insect Unit Study

There are well over 1 million different known species of insects in the world, and some experts estimate that there might be as many as 10 million. Use this unit to explore this fascinating world.

1. Tell how insects are different from all other animals. Show the differences between insects, centipedes, and spiders.

2. Point out and name the main parts of an insect.

3. Collect and mount 50 different species. Include six orders and 18 families of insects. Label each with common and scientific names, where possible.

NOTE: Some insects are endangered species and are protected by federal and state law. Every species is found only in its own special habitat. Be sure to check natural resource authorities in advance to be sure that you will not be collecting any specimens from any habitat of a species that is known to be protected or endangered.

4. Describe the characteristics that distinguish the principal families and orders of insects.

5. Show your collection.

6. Compare the life histories of a butterfly and a grasshopper. Tell how they are different.

7. Raise an insect through complete metamorphosis from its larval stage to its adult stage (eg, raise a butterfly or moth from a caterpillar).

8. Tell the things that make social insects different from solitary insects.

9. Observe an ant colony or a beehive. Tell that you saw, you may also draw diagrams or pictures.

10. From your collection, identify four species of insects helpful to humans and six species of insects harmful to humans.

11. Describe some general methods of insect control.

12. Tell how insects fit in the food chains of other insects, fish, birds, and mammals.

Websites you may find useful:

http://www.earthlife.net/insects/six01.html
http://www.yahooligans.com/Science_and_Nature/Living_Things/Animals/Insects/
http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/may/stories/insect.html
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/insectworld/
http://www.riverdeep.net/current/2002/03/030402t_insects.jhtml


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