Entomology (Insects)
Entomology is the study of insects and all six-legged creatures. Getting to know insects can be a fun way to get outside and see what is there. There are insects everywhere on Earth, even in the coldest Arctic!
- Learn about the importance of insects to your everyday life
- Explore insects in their natural habitats
- Collect and identify insects to make an insect collection
- Join a citizen science project monitoring monarchs, bees or other beneficial insects
Ideas for Project Area Learning!
- Learn about insect biology including insect body parts and how insects communicate with one another
- Research what types of bugs are considered pests
- Demonstrate how to make an insect net and how to use it
- Research how insects use color to blend in with their environment
- Learn the life cycle and life stages of insects
- Interview an exterminator about what insects are considered pests
- Research Integrated Pest Management and how it is used to manage insect pests in crops
- Create a butterfly garden to attract butterflies to your home
- Find out how different types of insects eat
- Start your own insect collection
- Learn how to classify insects in different groups
- Investigate the importance of wings and flying in insects
Project Area Events
Iowa 4-H Contact
Maya Hayslett
Share What You Learn With Others!
Communications
- Conduct a workshop to help people understand household pests and how to control them.
- Visit the local nursing home and give a presentation about insects. Bring your insect collection or jars of insects to share for show and tell!
- Make a video about how to make a butterfly garden.
Leadership
- Plan a field trip for a youth group to visit an insectary.
- Hold a workshop to show younger 4-Hers how to make their own bug collection.
- Teach a class on beneficial insects and how to promote habitat for them.
Civic Engagement
- Plant a butterfly garden for an elementary school, daycare, or nursing home.
- Create a caterpillar or butterfly display for a classroom so students can see the real life change from caterpillar to
Exhibit Ideas
- Create a poster showing different crop pests and their natural predators.
- Make an insect display with scientific and common names.
- Create a butterfly garden in your backyard and record the species that visit it.
- Interview a bee producer and learn why bees are important to plants and the environment.
- Make a video showing the different invasive species in your area, how they effect the ecosystem, and how they are spread.
- Create a list of beneficial insects and find out what makes them beneficial.
- Some butterflies and insects migrate. Find out which ones do and where they go for the winter.
- Scout a field for insect pests. Record what you see and use resources to make management recommendations based on Integrated Pest Managemen