There are more insect species than the total number of all other species combined!
Insect anatomy- six legs, head, thorax, abdomen
Types of insects (Arthropods)
Spiders- are not insects! Eight legs and head and thorax fused
Activity: Insect collection, Camouflage
Online Insect identification Guide
Metamorphosis
Complete- larval stage look completely different from adult
Incomplete- young resemble adults
Symbotic Relationships
Ants and aphids
Predator Tricks
Assassin Bug
Ambush Bug
Evasive prey tricks
Camouflage- Spittlebugs, Leaf Mantis Butterfly
Nasty odor- Stink Bugs
Poisons in body tissue- Monarch Butterfly
Harmless mimic of Monarch- Viceroy Butterfly
Spines- Caterpillar
Eyespots on wings- Butterflies
Aquatic Insects
Activity: Macroinvertebrate Tag
Field Trip: Stream Sampling
Land Insects- Ants are amoung the most dominant small animal on the plant. Ants biomass on the Earth weigh roughly as much as all the 6.6 human beings. However, the winner goes to nematode worms.
Activity: Bioblitz. Butterfly net and trowels. Night catch with spot lights and black lights.
Quiz Review Activity: Invent an Insect
Skull Lab!
Activity: Animal Charades
Activity: Migration Maze
Tree Rings and Age Dating
New York Plant Atlas for Ulster County
