This Week's Experiment - #321 Insect Hunting
This week's experiment is a result of preparing for next week's experiment.
It began as an experiment with insects, but it was getting too long, so I
chopped it in half. (The experiment, not the insect.) This week, we will
look at the amazing variety of insects that can be found almost everywhere.
You will need:
an umbrella
a magnifying glass
some shrubs or bushes
The first thing to do is to carefully examine the bushes. You want to be
sure not to disturb a nest of wasps or bees. Also check for bird nests.
Since this experiment is not about the birds and the bees, we want to be sure
that we don't bother them and they don't bother us.
Next, open the umbrella. Hold it upside down, so that it hangs down from
your hand instead of being over your head. Hold the umbrella under one side
of the bush. With your other hand, grab the bush and give it a good shake.
Now you know why we checked for bees. It is hard to do science experiments
while you are running from an angry bee. The bowl shape of the upside down
umbrella makes a perfect way to catch falling creatures. After a few good
shakes, you should have some leaves, but you should also have quite a few
other things. Place the umbrella on the ground and grab your magnifying
glass.
Depending on where you live, what the season is and which bush you picked,
you probably got several kinds of insects. I say insects, not bugs, because
while bugs are insects, not all insects are bugs. Bugs are a specific
group. Their mouth is a long, sharp tube, like a drinking straw. Most of
them feed on plant juices, so you probably have some bugs in your umbrella,
but you probably have insects from other groups too.
You may also have collected spiders, lizards, frogs, or other creatures.
Examine them carefully. We don't want to hurt them, and we don't want to
disturb any that might bite you. As you examine your catch, you may want to
write down notes, draw pictures or take photographs to help you keep track of
what you found.
When you are done, tip the umbrella over the bush to put them back where they
belong. Then move to another bush and try it. You will find that the
insects and other creatures will vary from bush to bush. Different kinds of
bushes are eaten by different kinds of insects. Even with the same kind of
bush, location makes a difference. You will probably get different things
from a bush in the sun than you do from a bush in the shade.
When you are finished, be sure to tip the creatures back into their bush.
If you put them on the wrong bush, they might not find anything to eat. If
you forget to put them back, the next time it rains, you may get quite a
surprise when you open your umbrella.
Have a good week.
From Robert Krampf's Science Education Company
PO Box 60982
Jacksonville, FL 32236-0982
904-388-6381
krampf@aol.com
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