Innovative Projects and Activities on Minibeasts

Gary A. Dunn, M.S., F.R.E.S., Director of Education

There are many activities and projects that can make learning about insects and spiders a lot of fun. Here are three special activities and some innovative projects to consider.

Click on any of the following topics, or scroll down the list:

• BE A MINIBEAST ZOOKEEPER
• START YOUR OWN LOCAL BUG CLUB
• THE ULTIMATE BUG CLUB: Y.E.S.
• INNOVATIVE PROJECTS ON INSECTS AND SPIDERS
• SPECIAL PROJECTS
• DISPLAYS AND DEMONSTRATIONS
• INSECT AND SPIDER CRAFTS
• INSECT AND SPIDER ART
• LANGUAGE ARTS

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BE A MINIBEAST ZOOKEEPER   [TOP OF PAGE]

Many entomology projects emphasize the study and handling of dead specimens. Most people who set up their own insect collections are careful observers, as well as collectors. They know that the more they learn and understand about insect activity, the easier it will be for them to collect the insect specimens they prize. To fully understand insects, people must have firsthand knowledge of insect ways and means of living: how insects feed, grow, behave, disperse and reproduce. This knowledge can only be gained by studying live insects. Live insects can be observed and studied in their natural environment or in captivity. Observing insects in captivity is the most convenient method of studying live insects. Insects make fascinating, low-cost (often free) science projects. Most insect species complete their life cycles in relatively brief spans. They take up little space, and their maintenance requirements are fairly simple.

It is very important to match the natural habitat of the insects you want to rear, including their preferred food and proper light, temperature and humidity conditions. You will need a cage or other container in which to rear most insects. The type of container you use will depend on the insects you decide to raise. But no matter what type of rearing chamber you select, it must be constantly tended. For example, most insects won't eat dried leaves, and without a constant supply of fresh food the insects will quickly die.

Insects that feed on live plants can be caged over potted plants or fed fresh material from their host plants. With a little ingenuity, a suitable cage can be designed to accommodate your rearing plans. The important thing is to keep the cage tight enough to restrain the insects and still provide enough ventilation that the container doesn't "sweat." Loose, slightly moist soil and leaf litter should also be provided in case the insect pupates in or on the ground.

Terrestrial insects and scavengers do well in containers with a small amount of sand or soil in the bottom. Keep the cage clean and control moisture to prevent molds and diseases.

You can rear insects that infest plants (seeds, galls, leaves or stems) or other materials by placing the infested object in an enclosed container. Don't let such materials get too dry or too moist. If you want to easily gather specimens from such a culture, use an opaque container (one that you cannot see through) and insert an open-ended glass vial through a hole (just big enough for the vial) in one end of the container. As adult insects emerge from the infested material, they will be attracted to the lighted vial.

You may also find it interesting to dig large larvae and pupae out of soil or rotten logs and rear them to the adult stage. The larvae probably won't need to be fed as long as you keep some of the rotten wood or soil in the container with the specimens. Place the larvae and soil or wood in a closed jar or other container to retain moisture, and check them periodically. You may be surprised to find freshly-emerged specimens of some of the largest and least common beetles and other insects. Remember that the life cycles of some of these large insects may be quite long, so you'll have to be patient. As long as the larvae are plump, moist and healthy-looking, they will probably complete development to adulthood. Unhealthy, diseased or dead individuals should be removed from the container and disposed of.

Collecting moth cocoons and butterfly chrysalides is another interesting activity. You may get lucky and find a full-grown caterpillar that is just about to transform into a pupa. These can be collected and observed until the adult butterfly or moth emerges. Since some Lepidoptera overwinter as pupae you may have to wait until the following spring to see them emerge.

Many kinds of containers and cages can be used to hold insects for rearing. Use whatever type is available and that suits your needs. A good insect rearing cage should be lightweight, sturdy, escapeproof and well-ventilated. It should also allow you to watch the insects easily. Cages constructed of lightweight wood or aluminum and covered with screening make the best all-around rearing cages.

Most insect cultures need an ample supply of clean drinking water to ensure their successful growth and development. Several ways to provide water to your insects are outlined below. All of the methods are easy to use and require a minimum of maintenance. No matter what method you use, however, you must always keep the "drinking fountain" clean and mold-free.

Fountain 1. Fill a tall, slender glass or plastic jar with clean water. Place several layers of cheesecloth over the jar opening and secure it with an elastic band. Turn the jar upside down in a shallow dish and place it in your rearing cage. The insects will drink from the absorbent material, which will also prevent them from drowning.

Fountain 2. Use a jar or large vial similar to the one used for Fountain 1, except this time you must have a lid or cork big enough to fit the container's opening. Bore a hole in the lid or cork and insert a dental wick, roll of absorbent cotton or similar material into the lid or cork. Fill the jar or vial with clean water and lay it on its side in the rearing cage. The insects will drink from the moist wick.

Your insects will require a constant supply of high quality food. Plant eating insects will need a fresh supply of foliage from their host plants. Many other insects can be reared on commonly available food items such as dog food, vegetables, honey, flour and food scraps. Predatory insects need live prey. This means you'll either have to culture a colony of acceptable prey insects or collect live insects from outdoors. You can simplify this task by using insect-collecting traps (pitfall, blacklight, Malaise, windowpane, etc.) to gather the necessary insects. You can also collect leaf litter samples and run them through Berlese funnels to sort out living insects.

For complete detailed information, check out the Caring for Live Minibeasts in Captivity eManual

START YOUR OWN LOCAL BUG CLUB

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If you know of other young people in your neighborhood or city that are interested in insects you might want to start an after-school or Saturday "bug club". You might even want to consider having your bug club become an official Y.E.S. Bug Club Chapter. (You can contact Y.E.S. headquarters for complete information on how to go about this.)

The first step is to find young people interested in insects (if they haven't found you already). Post a notice in the schools, place a small announcement in the school newsletter or local paper, or post a notice at the local library, nature center, or science museum to attract potential members.

There are a number of things to consider when making choices and plans about how to conduct your club meetings and activities. For each club meeting and activity you should consider where it will be held, how much time it will take (including preparation time, activity time and clean up), what materials are needed and how they will be provided (donated or from club dues?). You may also need to consider which season of the year is most appropriate for each activity. Don't forget to ask club members and their parents for ideas and input. They will have a wealth of ideas!

Holding your meetings at your school or home is probably the most convenient for you. Space may be a big factor to consider depending on the size of your group and the type of meeting activity you are planning. A library, local church or community center may also make facilities available. Or, if you have a collecting trip, you may wish to simply gather in an open field or a local park (check on any collecting prohibitions)! You should do this planning in advance.

Your first meeting will be the most challenging because you are working with new people, and you may be dealing with a role that's new to you. Don't worry. Quickly involve your members. Concentrate on helping them and your stresses will disappear right away. Here is a simple agenda for your first meeting: (1) Get acquainted (have a get acquainted activity/game); (2) Talk about your Bug Club and what you hope to accomplish; (3) Explain the roles of members, parents, and club leaders; (4) Introduce the Bug Club objectives and any project or group expenses; (5) Do a short-term learning activity; (6) Brainstorm ideas for future meetings and schedule them as best as you can; (7) Select a name for the Bug Club and elect officers; and, (8) Choose an activity for the next time (you might offer a few choices to select from).

THE ULTIMATE BUG CLUB: The Young Entomologists Society  [TOP OF PAGE]

If you or someone you know has been "stricken with minibeast fever", there's no need to worry. This condition is very common among young people (and even some adults). Tiny six and eight-legged creatures frequently stimulate intense curiosity on the part of many young people. For some children this fascination with insects and spiders (minibeasts) can turn into a lengthy (even life-time) hobby. In a few instances it even develops into a rewarding career as an entomologist (a scientist who specializes in the study of the insects) or arachnologist (a scientist who specializes in the study of the spiders).

Your parents probably wish to encourage your investigations into the amazing world of insects and spiders, but they don't know where to turn for help and information. A few parents get lucky and locate a caring, knowledgeable adult expert in your hometown. However, most parents are not this fortunate and they remain unable to find someone who can help you with your growing needs for information on insect and spider study.

A solution to this problem can be found in a unique organization founded by a group of enthusiastic teens interested in bugs, beetles, butterflies, spiders, and other minibeasts. The Young Entomologists' Society (Y.E.S.) is the largest "bug club" in the world that caters to the special needs of young minibeast enthusiasts like you. Y.E.S. is able to provide the peer support and adult guidance that may not be available locally.

Y.E.S. specializes in bringing young people together (primarily through their mailboxes and computers) so that they can learn from other youth by sharing information, advice, and even insect specimens. Y.E.S. membership is composed of boys and girls of all ages and backgrounds. Because the group also serves adult amateur entomologists, there is a ready supply of knowledgeable adults willing to help you with your questions and problems. This arrangement provides a unique method for sharing entomological knowledge and expertise, as well as personal talents and cultural backgrounds. If you would like to join the Society, click here.

INNOVATIVE PROJECTS ON INSECTS AND SPIDERS  [TOP OF PAGE]

Looking for more suggestions of exciting projects and activities involving insects and spiders? Here's a list of ideas to get you started!

Games and puzzles:

• Construct some word finds using entomological or arachnological words.
• Create some crossword puzzles using entomological or arachnological words.
• Play a "words for a word" game.
• Try inventing an insect or spider board game.
• Create some insect or spider card games.
• Play some old-time games such as "What Am I?", "Charades", "Jeopardy", etc. with an insect or spider theme.
• Put together a list of insect and spider trivia questions.

Opinion surveys:

• Conduct a survey to see what people think about (a) insects as human food; (b) insect pests; (c) beneficial insects; (d) collecting; or, (e) use of pesticides.

Library research projects:

• Expand your knowledge of insect or spider biology, ecology, behavior, etc.
• Investigate the role of insects and spiders in folklore and history.
• Read some biographies of famous entomologists or arachnologists.
• Prepare a bibliography of information on some aspect of entomology or arachnology (identification keys, collecting techniques, etc.)
• Write a review on an insect or spider book.
• Write a review on an insect or spider film (either a scientific or a"fear" film).
• Study the history behind a prominent introduced pest (show its spread across the United States on a map).
• Research the role that some insects have played in our nation's history (especially as it relates to agricultural production).
• Find out more about insect species that are threatened or endangered.
• Find out where different types of insects spend the winter.

Computer projects:

• Make your own personalized specimen labels.
• Create your own data bases and record keeping systems.
• Try some modeling or simulations of insect behavior.
• Create a computerized insect or spider trivia or other skill testing game.
• Use a computer to make some insect illustrations.
• Put together a computerized identification key to insects or spiders.

Field trips:

• Visit a museum, entomology department, insect zoo, or insect-related business (such as pest control company, mosquito control commission, beekeeper, etc.)
• Tour a local farm or nursery and find out about the insect problems they have encountered and the methods they have used for solving these problems.
• Try an indoor "scavenger hunt" (searching stores for products with insects on them).
• Try an outdoor insect or spider scavenger hunt.
• How about some outdoor activities such as an insect walk or butterfly watching.
• Participate in a butterfly count.
• Spend some time observing a flowering plant, beehive, or anthill (take notes and photos of the activity you observe).
• Collect a variety of aquatic insects (and plants) and place them in an aquarium that has been set up to resemble a natural aquatic habitat (keep a record of the activity you observe).

SPECIAL PROJECTS  [TOP OF PAGE]

Project ideas:

• Study genetics using varieties of Drosophila fruit flies.
• Make a calendar of insect pest activity, appearances, or seasonality in your area.
• Make a collection of insect eggs.
• Design and plant a butterfly garden.
• Study the insects which are attracted to blacklight or porch lights (what are the effects of weather, moonlight, seasonality, color of lightbulb, etc.).
• Try some edible insects; crickets and mealworms are a good bet. (If you're not into eating real insects, then substitute some "edible" butterfly or insect-shaped cookies.)
• Study or "collect" insects from other countries (set up an exchange program with young people in other countries).
• Rear mosquitoes (or other insect species) from egg to adult (keep notes and photos of your observations).
• Monitor both the beneficial and pest insects in a garden, orchard, or crop field (observe their interactions and chart their distribution and abundance).
• Carefully watch nesting birds to see what kind of insects they feed to their young.
• Investigate what types of plant foliage a caterpillar species will accept.
• Compare the attraction (in both numbers of species and numbers of individuals) of various types of baits such as manure, mashed fruit, or spoiled meat.
• Study the affects of cold temperatures on insects (vary the temperature and the exposure time in a refrigerator or freezer and keep notes on survival abilities).
• Set up an observation beehive.

DISPLAYS & DEMONSTRATIONS  [TOP OF PAGE]

Displays and exhibits:

• Assemble an interesting display on any of the following topics: (a) spider webs; (b) plants damaged by mites and insects; (c) insect wings laminated in clear contact paper; (d) insect or spiders mounted in plastic; (e) methods of insect communication (songs, sounds, and pheromones); (f) insect camouflage and mimicry; (g) official state insects and/or butterflies; (h) abandoned insect nests or homes; (i) insect "collectibles" such as toys, household objects, etc.; (j) stamps with insect or spider pictures on them; (k) butterfly gardening techniques; (l) galls and the insects that produce them;
• Suggestions for display and exhibit sites: (a) county fairs; (b) local library; (c) your school; (d) nature centers; and, (e) shopping centers, malls, and banks.

Talks and presentations:

• Prepare a talk or demonstration about insects or spiders
• Suggestions for groups to talk to: (a) camps; (b) nature centers; (c) science museums; (d) nature and garden clubs; (e) day care centers and other schools; (f) youth organizations; and, (g) convalescent homes and elderhostels

INSECT AND SPIDER CRAFTS  [TOP OF PAGE]

Project and activity ideas:

• Make a butterfly bowl or dome (made from dried plants, galls, butterflies, and other insects).
• Make a shadow box (also made from dried flowers, galls, butterflies, etc.).
• Embed insects and other arthropods in plastic.
• Make some "model" insects - assemble an "exotic" insect from recyclable materials (create a name for the new specimen).
• Decoupage (using insect pictures)
• Insect puppets of clay, plastic, fabric, or natural materials (put on a puppet show).
• Needlework with insect designs (rugs, tapestries, quilts, or needlepoint).
• Try some batik (drawing on cloth with wax, then dye) and silk screening.
• Make some decorative insect and spider banners and flags from felt or other fabric.
• Create some insect or spider mobiles.
• Build a butterfly or insect kite.

INSECT AND SPIDER ART  [TOP OF PAGE]

Projects and activities:

• Use stencils to make insect or spider illustrations.
• Make a print with homemade block printers or rubber stamps.
• Make some greeting cards decorated with insect or spider designs.
• Make a scrapbook of insect or spider pictures, illustrations, or cartoons (show their different colors and shapes).
• Create an insect or spider mural or poster.
• Try some insect or spider face painting (or temporary tattoos).
• Make a collage using insect or spider pictures (or wasp nest paper).
• Use a computer to make insect or spider drawings.
• Make some insect sculptures (adults, eggs, pupae, etc.) from wood, clay, play-dough, or natural objects (such as smooth stones).
• Practice insect or spider photography (make a slide set or photo album of common, local insects and spiders).
• Try your hand at insect or spider cartooning.

LANGUAGE ARTS  [TOP OF PAGE]

Projects and activities:

• Compose a poem about insects or spiders.
• Make up a song about insects or spiders.
• Write an insect or spider play (and make some insect/spider costumes).
• Conduct an investigation on the origin of insect scientific (or common) names.
• Write stories or informative articles on insects and spiders (and have them published in Insect World or Y.E.S. Quarterly (send manuscripts by mail to Young Entomologists' Society, 6907 West Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906-9131, or by e-mail).
• Make an insect or spider video (either a "documentary" about insects, spiders, collecting, or identification, or a homemade insect fear film).
• Try a "box of props" ingenuity skit.
• Have an "Ugly Bug Ball" (party) complete with costumes and music.
• Make a bulletin board featuring insects and spiders in the news.

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This educational resource was prepared by the Young Entomologists Society, 6907 West Grand River Ave., Lansing MI 48906-9131, phone/fax 517-886-0630, e-mail YESbugs@aol.com.  Support minibeast youth education - join Y.E.S. today!