INSECT COLLECTION DIRECTIONS
I.
Collect Insects.
A. Catch insects using plastic containers with lids (a net, if you have one.)
1) Good places to look: tall grassy or weedy areas, gardens,
flowerbeds, near lights at night, Lake Storey, Lincoln Park,
etc.
2) Use caution if you decide to catch stinging insects (Early
morning or late evening is best – less active.)
3) DO NOT CATCH Monarch or Swallowtail butterflies!
4) Insects that are already dead may be used in your collection;
however, they must have all body parts/legs and extra care
must be taken while pinning as they are brittle.
5) Live insects may be killed by…
a. Putting them in rigid container in the freezer for a
Bee
week.
b. Using a kill jar. If you bring your teacher a wide-mouth
Responsible
glass jar with metal lid, one will be made for you.
!
(Instructions for making your own are attached.)
II. Pin and Protect Insects
A. Remember that all insects should be pinned shortly after being killed or
they will dry out and break apart! The insect should be pushed up fairly
close to the head of the pin. Leave enough room for you to pick up the
pin, insect and all. Once the insect is pinned, leave it alone to dry.
B. The pin should go through the THORAX of the insect (EXCEPT with
beetles, where the pin should go through the right wing or wing cover.)
C. Until you are ready to classify your insects, just push the pinned insect
gently into a piece of Styrofoam or foam board. Make sure the Styrofoam is
stored in some sort of protective container (cardboard box with lid, foil pans
with clear lids, plastic cake boxes, or some choose to make wooden boxes.)
III. Classifying and Labeling Insects
A. Using books checked out from your teacher or books from the library to
identify your insect. Use caution when using Internet sites.
1) The student will be instructed in class as to how to determine
the ORDER NAME (the group of insects to which that
insect belongs.) The student will be given an order packet
for this purpose.
2) The COMMON NAME will be gotten from the insect
identification books. DO NOT LABEL INSECTS WITH
GENUS/SPECIES OR SCIENTIFIC NAMES.
IV. Final Display
A. Your insects should be neatly mounted on Styrofoam or foam board
and neatly labeled. Each insect’s label needs to have the common
name (ex. Housefly) and the order name (ex. Diptera).
B. Your name and class period number should be neatly visible on the
front of the project in the UPPER RIGHT HAND corner.
C. The Styrofoam/foam board should be protected by some kind of
protective container.
DUE DATE FOR THE PROJECT IS
____________________________
Have fun in the great outdoors!
Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Totten
GET ‘R’ DONE!
You asked me to do it.
I promised to do it.
I planned to do it.
I started to do it.
I really meant to do it.
Except, I forgot.
Couldn't I get some credit?
For promising,
Planning, Starting,
And, really meaning to do it?
Guess not.
DON’T WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE-START COLLECTING NOW!
How to pin an insect
Insect Killing Jar
Poison
(1) Prepare the plaster of Paris
mixture as directed on package. Pour
a layer (approx. 1/3 to 1/2”) in the
bottom of the jar. Leave the lid off
and allow to dry overnight.
(2) Once the plaster is dry, pour a
small amount of fingernail polish
remover in the jar and allow time for
absorption. Pour off any remaining
amount into a safe container.
For very small insects, cut
a triangle of cardstock &
glue insect to triangle
(3) Add a Kleenex or small piece of
paper towel to the jar. This will
prevent damage to the insects after
they are placed in the jar.
(4) Catch insects and place in jar. Wait
several minutes for the fumes to
work, then remove the insect. NOTE:
The killing jar may be used several
times before needing “recharged”.
Simply add more fingernail polish
The paper
strips
keep the
wings
positioned
properly.
Insect Brainstorming
P
LIST BELOW THE COMMON NAMES OF 15 INSECTS IN THIS AREA:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
LIST BELOW 10 PLACES IN THE GALESBURG AREA YOU COULD HUNT FOR INSECTS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
LIST BELOW 2 CHARACTERISTICS OF ALL INSECTS:
1. ______________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________