Do you have an amateur entomologist at your house? I do. She's six years old and wants to learn more, not just about bugs, insects and spiders, but about the field of entomology itself. What types of jobs, for example, might someone who loves to study insects do? What new and exciting "bugology" activities can she do?
My Young Entomologist's Favorite Tools
My daughter keeps the following tools and supplies on or under her "bug table," a corner learning nook in the kitchen.
- A microscope with tweezers, collection containers, slides, static slide covers, and sticker labels;
- A specimen box (tool box, fishing tackle box, craft box, etc.);
- Edu Science 12 Real Insects in resin collection with a magnifying glass;
- Golden Guides Insects reference pocket-size book; and
- A terrarium with a cave.
If you read my article on Pets for Homeschool Nature Science Observation, you may have noticed that many of the recommended "pets" were bugs. That's because insects, spiders, and prehistoric crustaceans are small and relatively easy to care for. This year, it's going to be gentle mason bees.
A Few Fun Online Entomology Resources
- Katerpillars, a University of Kentucky website designed for teachers, 4-H'ers, young people, and anyone else who wants to pursue an interest in Entomology.
- Bug or insect? What's the difference.
- Get a free copy of The Romance of Ants graphic novel. A childhood love of ants leads to a career as a professional research scientist.
- More bug science printables and online resources.
How to Catch a Live Insect or Spider for Observation
A young entomologist can catch insects and spiders easily using a "bug catcher" device that vacuums up insects into a safe container for observation. National Geographic, for example, offers a Bug Collector and Microscope Combo. My daughter, however, simply uses a plastic storage container and a piece of cardboard for dry land catches and a small net for water catches, as follows.
- Target and sneak up on the insect or spider.
- Quickly and stealthily place the plastic container over the bug.
- Carefully slide the piece of cardboard or paper under the container.
- Transfer the insect to a terrarium.
Observation Activities with Insects, Dead or Alive
Live insects: Once my daughter has caught a live insect and transferred it to her terrarium, we research the insect to find out what foods or habitat items it might appreciate in the terrarium. The Amateur Entomologists' Society Caresheets are a handy resource. At present, my daughter has a forest spider for whom she has placed a cap full of water, grassy debris, and a dark cave. She catches live flying insects for "Wolfie" to hunt in the terrarium. We've watched him catch and consume a fly and a wasp.
Dead insects: My daughter loves to find sun-dried insects or discarded exoskeletons (or snake skins!). The rocks along a river or lake edge are good places to look, as well as backyard patios and other hot concrete surfaces.
My daughter often scoops flies, wasps, and spiders out of her backyard swimming pool. She's always pleased if its a successful rescue, whereupon she gently places the near-drowned insect out to dry and live another day. But if she's too late, she's also happy to dry out the insect and add it to her specimen box (an upright tackle box with slide-out drawers), whereupon she will use her magnifying glass to take a closer look and oftentimes her tweezers to remove the wings and make a permanent microscope slide.
What Jobs or Careers Can an Entomologist Do?
My daughter enjoys insects so much that she wants them to remain a part of her life forever. She's presently in our zoo's Bug Club, so she gets to interact with real bug scientists. What else can bug scientists and enthusiasts do? They can work at the zoo, of course, or the natural history museum. Entomologists may focus on urban, agricultural, or forest insects. They may work as teachers, researchers, consultants for private companies, universities, or government agencies.
Many professional entomologists, as with other scientists, started out as curious kids with a passion that was supported by the adults in their lives.
Source: NCARR. "Bioscience Careers: Entomologist." aboutbioscience.org, Retrieved 23 Aug 2011.
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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