7th Grade Insect Collection

A) Student Materials

1.  Shoe box or box slightly bigger and a thick piece styrofoam (1 -2 inches thick) that fits in the bottom with your name on it.

2.  Envelopes for butterflies and moths.

3.  Insect Pins (10)

B) Collection Requirements and info

1.  Students will collect 10 different insects (no duplicates).  Five of the 10 must be in the following insect orders.
                *  Coleoptera        __________                         *  Orthoptera        __________
                *  Diptera               __________                         *  Lepidoptera      __________
                *  Hymenoptera    __________

2.  The remaining 5 insects can be from any of the insect orders. 

3.  If students would like extra credit they can collect 5 additional insects (above and beyond the 10).  These extra credit           insects must come from the following insect orders.  You may only collect one insect in each of the 5 orders.

                *  Odonata            __________                         *  Dermaptera       __________
                *  Homoptera        __________                         *  Neuroptera        _________
                *  Mantodea         __________          

4. Each insect will be mounted on a #2 or 3 insect pin and have a proper locality label.  Insect pins are sharp and I don’t want  you to accidentally poke yourself. Please be careful!  I will provide 10 pins for each student or you may purchase these pins at    the BYU Life Science Museum.  Do not use sewing pins!               

                                                Example of proper locality label   (State, County, location, date, person who collected insect)
                                                              Utah, Utah Co.                     
                                                              Provo Canyon
                                                              10-12- 96 B.H. Smith                                                                                                                           

5.  Break down of collections points

            1.  10 different insects mounted on a pin.----------------------------------------------------------  10 points each                   100pts.

            2.  Insects mounted with a complete locality label as shown above ---------------------------  5 pts each                      50 pts.

            3.  Organization, insects grouped in correct order (classification) ------------------------------  2 points each                20 pts.  

            4.  Presentation: neat, no broken legs antennae etc.------------------------------------------------                                          20 pts.

            5.  One spread insect---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                           10 pts

           6.  Total collection points------------------------------------------------------------------------------------              200 pts.           

*  10 points extra credit will be given for a properly labeled extra credit insect (total 50 pts.).

C) Student Success                                                                    

When working in any lab always be careful using chemicals and equipment, always follow instructions.

Begin collecting insects today.  As you collect, I want you to store your insects in either or both of  the following two ways.  First, most insects can be preserved in clear rubbing alcohol (70% Isopropyl).  Butterflies moths and bees do not store well in alcohol. Place a locality label (use pencil) in each bottle you store insects.  This way you will know where and when you collected the insects.  USE only one bottle for each location you collect.  Do not put insects you collected in Orem on Sept. 2 with insects in a bottle you collected up Rock Canyon on Aug. 31.  The insects must be completely submerged in the alcohol.  When you want to pin your insects you will remove them from the alcohol and pin them. When using alcohol, you MUST be under the supervision of one of your parents,  do not use glass bottles, use plastic.  Second, you can kill and store your insects in the freezer (check with mom first) After collecting insects, put them in a small container and place it in the freezer until you are ready to pin the insects.  Always remember to put a locality tag in each bottle or container you place insects in.  No alcohol or water is needed.  You might want to softly pack some tissue paper into the bottle with the insects before you place it into the freezer.  This keeps them from damaging each other. 

Spreading Insects

Insects that will spread easily  (Butterflies, moths, dragonflies) should be placed in an envelope with their wings together above the body and placed in the freezer .  Put the envelope in the freezer with the locality information on the outside of the envelope.

****** If you need assistance please let me know  ******