Insects

Insects have a hard outer skin that protects their bodies called an exoskeleton. Most insects have wings, antennae and three body parts, head, thorax, and abdomen.

Insects are the world's most plentiful animal. There are more species of insects than of any other animal.

 

Guides to Identifying Insects

Cricket Project

Every third grader will be given two crickets to care for and observe until the school year ends. Details about what the crickets need to remain healthy and happy are given below.

The crickets will be housed part of the time at school and part of the time at home. Suitable cricket containers should be light, unbreakable, have a lid, sit flat, and be transparent so the crickets can be easily observed. Students should bring their cricket containers to school before Wednesday, April 28, 2008.

CRICKET CARE          

  • Crickets need a container that is large enough for them to move around freely and feel safe. 
  • Crickets need a container that is dry, has fresh air, and is not too bright.  Poke small holes in the lid of your container to let in fresh air.  Make sure there is nothing sticky inside the cage that crickets can get caught on or injured.  Crickets are most active at night so they like dark places.  You can cover one or more sides of your container with dark paper to make it darker inside.
  • Your crickets need places to hide.  They don’t feel safe out in the open.  Put crumpled paper, paper cups, or cardboard in the container for them to hide behind.
  • DO NOT PUT HEAVY OBJECTS IN YOUR CAGE THAT CAN MOVE AROUND WHEN THE CAGE IS MOVED.  THESE CAN INJURE YOUR CRICKETS.  GLUE CONTAINERS DOWN OR PUSH THEM INTO SOIL OR SAND SO THEY DON’T MOVE.
  • Your crickets need water that they can safely use.  They can drown in deep water, so put cotton balls, a sponge, or something to soak up and hold water in a small lid.
  • Your crickets need food.  Cereal, breadcrumbs, lettuce, small pieces of fruit are all good foods.  Be careful about things that might get moldy like fruit.  Dry foods like cereal work best.
  • Your crickets like to dig in sand or soil.  Females lay their eggs underground.  Put sand in the bottom of the container or put a small amount of damp sand in a paper cup or lid for them to use.
  • Crickets like peace and quiet!  Keep them away from loud noises.  The males will sing when they get older; the females don’t sing. 
  • How do you tell female from male crickets?  Female crickets have an ovipositor to lay their eggs.  This is a small tube that extends out of their abdomens.  Males don’t have these.  More information about cricket care can be found on this web site.

Cricket Links

3RD GRADE SCIENCE BUG ALERT!

Attention all tree lovers and bug detectives: the Emerald Ash Borer has been found near Chicago in Kane County and could kill thousands of Ash trees. Be on the alert for this half-inch long, bright green beetle.

The Ash Borer lays its eggs under the bark of Ash trees in early Summer, so now is the time to look for it. Spotting the Ash Borer before it lays its eggs is the first step to preventing the damage it can cause. You could help save many trees from dying.

Check the pictures below. If you think you see an Ash Borer, try to capture it in a container and then show it to an adult. If an adult thinks it is an Ash Borer they should notify the Illinois Department of Agriculture at the number given below.

Illinois Department of Agriculture Ash Borer Hotline: 1-800-641-3934

 

Insects Around the World

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cicadas

Best Insect Sites

Stick Insects

Cockroaches

Butterflies & Moths

Beetles

Praying Mantises

Bees and Wasps

All About Pollination and Pollinators

 

Insect Pictures

Helpful and Harmful Insects