Be a Little Buggy

Children will discover that bugs can be our buddies!

Time requirement 45 minutes Objective(s) 1. Identify an insect based on the Group size and grade(s) number of body parts and legs. 5-11 students 2. Meet a real insect and an insect 3 year olds look-a-like 3. Foster child/adult relationship by Materials working together on a craft x Giant pillow insect 4. Dispel some myths and possible fears about insects. x Plastic insect model 5. Practice counting skills. x Insect parts for craft, glue, paper, crayons x Paper leaves Theme x Hole punches Insects are important animals that are x Scarves fun to learn about!

x Copy of song x L i f e c y c le poster of Butterfly Sub-themes 1. Insects can be identified by how Goal(s) they look. 2. Insects come in different shapes x To increase children’s wonder and sizes. and knowledge of arthrodpods 3. Insects are beneficial to people. x To reduce children’s fear or uncertainty towards arthropods. Academic standards National Science x Educational Standards Benchmarks for Science Literacy (Project 2061) Ohio Science Academic Content Standards Kentucky Core Content— Science Indiana Science Standards

Be a Little Buggy, 3 yr olds, April, 2013 Page 1 of 7 Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Background They begin life as an egg that hatches to a larva. The larva eats, grows, and sheds, then A very turns into a pupa in which chemical changes successful take place. The final stage is changing into animal group the adult insect, which is able to reproduce. Insects and In more primitive insects, such as spiders are grasshoppers and stick insects, another type invertebrates, of development is used. This process is which means called incomplete metamorphosis where the they do not have an internal skeleton and insect hatches from the egg as a miniature backbone. Instead, they have a hard version of the adult. The insect continues to exoskeleton on the outside, the top layer of grow, and every time it molts it gets larger which is known as the cuticle. The cuticle is until it reaches adulthood. made out of proteins and is very versatile. It can be thick and hard for protection, thin Groupings and soft for flexibility, and even stretchy for Insects are divided into two main groups: movement. It can be heavy or it can be light the wingless insects like bristletails and to allow for flight. It can be permeable, silverfish; and the winged insects like letting water or gases in and out, or it can be dragonflies, cockroaches, grasshoppers, solid and waterproof. It can also be different stick insects, beetles, flies, butterflies, ants, colors. Your skin is different on different and bees. Many people think that spiders are areas of your body, and an insect’s cuticle is, insects—they are not. Spiders belong to a too, because it serves many purposes. different group of animals called arachnids, Because the cuticle is so versatile, this main which also includes scorpions. There are feature of insects has allowed them to nearly one million known species of insects, become one of the most successful groups of and more are being discovered each year. animals on Earth. However, many are also lost each year due to habitat destruction, and many of these we Six- and eight-legged wonders may never even have known existed. An insect’s body is divided into three main parts: the head, the middle section, called Insects and spiders are everywhere! the thorax, and the end section, called the Insects can be found in just about every type abdomen. A spider's body has two segments: of habitat on Earth. Some cricket relatives a cephalothorax and an abdomen. Insects live actively in snow, and there are beetles have a brain, a nervous system, a heart, a gut and cockroaches that live in the hot sands of for digestion, and tubes called tracheae to deserts. Many insects survive harsh breathe oxygen. They have two antennae conditions by burrowing and remaining and six legs, both of which have special inactive, and some can even survive for organs on them to sense sound vibrations years after being completely dried out—they and movement and to "taste" and "smell" revive when placed in water! Adult insects food (although they don’t have taste buds can range in size from less than 0.08 inches and noses like we do). Spiders have eight (0.2 millimeters) in tiny wasps to 12 inches legs and, in general, have "simple" eyes (30 centimeters) in stick insects. The largest instead of the "compound" eyes that give insects can weigh up to 2.5 ounces (70 many insects much better vision. grams). Did you know that there are more kinds of beetles in the world than any other Life cycle type of animal, invertebrate or otherwise? Most insects, such as beetles, wasps, and And did you know that the weight of ants flies, go through complete metamorphosis.

Be a Little Buggy, 3 yr olds, April, 2013 Page 2 of 7 Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden alone is roughly equal to the weight of all to create the butterfly's new shape, including human beings on Earth? its wings. So how does the caterpillar know when it's time to change? Its brain produces Butterflies a chemical called "juvenile hormone." As long as the level of this hormone in its body One of the most well known and loved is high, it keeps eating, growing, and insect is the butterfly. Technically speaking, shedding. But when the hormone level butterflies are types of moths. But there are drops, then the caterpillar "knows" that it's some ways to tell them apart. Butterflies time to move on to the next stage. generally have long, smooth antennae that are rounded on the ends, while most moths Life cycle steps have thick, feathery antennae. Moths also The egg— An adult female lays her eggs on tend to have larger, fuzzier bodies than the right plants for the caterpillars to eat butterflies. Most moths fly at night, while when they most butterflies fly during the day. Because hatch from the of when eggs. Some they're butterflies will active, lay their eggs butterflies on only one tend to be type of plant! more colorful than The moths, but caterpillar— that's not When the egg always the hatches, a small case. You caterpillar can see another difference when they're emerges and eats the egg casing. It then resting: most moths flatten their wings out starts to eat the plant. Caterpillars are over their bodies, while most butterflies basically munching machines. This is the raise them up and against each other. And stage when most of the eating and growing although both butterflies and moths develop happens, and each time the caterpillar gets in a chrysalis, most moths also spin a too big for its skin, it sheds and starts again. protective cocoon. When people talk about this family of insects in general, they may The metamorphosis— The last time the use "butterflies" or "moths" to describe caterpillar sheds, a hard casing forms around them, and both are considered correct. it, called a chrysalis or pupa. Moths add more protection to this—they spin a silky The amazing metamorphosis cocoon as well. The magic metamorphosis One of the most incredible things about happens at this stage, and when the butterfly butterflies is the way they change from breaks out, it is an adult that can reproduce, crawling caterpillars into winged beauties. fly in search of food, and migrate if This process is called metamorphosis, and it necessary. It does need to plump up its has fascinated and perplexed people for wings first, filling them with fluid then centuries. In fact, scientists still aren't sure letting them dry and harden. exactly how it works! What we do know is that when a caterpillar seals itself into a chrysalis, chemicals are released from its body that change and rearrange all the cells

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On the wing centimeters) across; smallest—leaf miner Do you know what butterfly wings are made moth Phyllocnistis spp at 0.12 inch (0.3 of? They're actually pretty complex. The centimeter) across and western pygmy blue main structure of the wing is made of thin butterfly Brephidium exilis at 0.5 inch (1.3 layers of chitin, a protein that also makes up centimeter) across the outer "shell" of the body. These layers Weight: not really known, but are so thin you can see through them. Th e y approximately 0.0001 ounce (0.003 grams) are covered with thousands of tiny modified for the smallest to 0.1 ounce (3 grams) for hairs called scales, which create the colors the largest and patterns we see. These scales are the Adult life span: 2 weeks to 2 months for "dust" that comes off a butterfly wing if you most species; longest is 9 to 12 months for touch it. The wings also contain a system of the migrating monarch Danaus plexippus veins that circulate blood, and strong Number of eggs: anywhere from just a few muscles on the butterfly's body move the to thousands wings up and down. The wings actually Size at hatching: usually 0.1 inch (3 move in a figure "8" motion that pushes the millimeters) or less butterfly through the air. Development: varies widely among species, but typically several days for egg to hatch, 2 Can you taste with your feet? to 4 weeks as a caterpillar, and 1 week to 2 You probably wouldn't want to! But this is months or more in pupa form. For some one of the ways butterflies tell what plants to species this process can take up to 7 years. lay their eggs on. They have taste sensors on their feet, and by standing on a leaf, they can taste it to see if their caterpillars can eat it. Fun facts Most adult butterflies can't bite or chew. They eat mainly liquids like nectar, sap, • In some places, the number of caterpillars juices from fruits, and sometimes even feeding on plants is so large that you can fluids from carcasses. They have a long, actually hear them munching. tubelike tongue called a proboscis, which • The Asian vampire moth lives up to its works like a straw to suck up liquid. When name! It has a tough proboscis to break they're not using it, it stays coiled up like a through thick-skinned fruits, but sometimes garden hose. The Morgan's sphinx moth it also sucks the blood of water buffalo or Xanthopan morgani has the longest deer. proboscis, 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 • Many adult butterflies never excrete centimeters), to get the nectar out of a deep waste—they use up all they eat for energy! orchid. • "Puddle clubs" are groups of butterflies that gather at mud puddles and wet soil to General information about butterflies: suck up salts and minerals. • Butterflies can see red, green, and yellow, Class: Insecta (Insects) but they also see color in the ultraviolet Order: Lepidoptera range, which reveals patterns on flowers— Familes: 124, divided into two main groups, and other butterflies—that we can't see. Homoneura and Heteroneura • Some Arctic moths may spend 14 years as Species: about 165,000 known species caterpillars, only active a few weeks each Size: largest—Atlas moth Attacus atlas at summer 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) across and Queen Alexandra's birdwing butterfly Ornithoptera alexandrae at 11 inches (27.9

Be a Little Buggy, 3 yr olds, April, 2013 Page 4 of 7 Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Vocabulary and making a production out of Abdomen – the last section of an insect’s pulling out a part and handing it to body that contains the spiracles. the child, makes them smile and also Adult – the final stage of complete allows me to “build” the insect in the metamorphosis in which the characteristics most practical way (body parts of an insect are seen. before legs, etc.) Antennae – the sensory appendages attached 4. After the insect is put together, to an insect’s head. review the parts of the insect. Egg – the first stage of complete o 3 body parts (head, thorax, abdomen) metamorphosis. o 2 pairs of wings Head – the first section of an insect’s body o antennae that contains the compound eyes and o 6 legs antennae **There are always exceptions to the Larva – the second stage of metamorphosis. rules – some insects are wingless and Pupa – the third stage of metamorphosis in others only have 1 pair. which the radical change between the larva 5. Follow up with “The Insect Song” - and adult occur (to the tune of Head, Shoulders, Thorax – the middle section of an insect’s Knees, and Toes). Incorporate body to which the legs and wings are motions during the song. attached. Head and thorax, abdomen, abdomen Head and thorax, abdomen, abdomen Activities 6 legs, 2 antennae, and compound eyes, Head and thorax, abdomen, abdomen Introduction and Welcome (15 min) Getting ready Wrap-up You will need: While insects look different, they have x pictures of insects (optional) several things in common which is what x pillow insect or foam insect makes them an insect! x words to the song Doing the activity How an Insect Grows (10 min) 1. Welcome the children to “Be a Little Getting ready Buggy” and introduce the instructor. x You will need: Encourage children to share his/her x Scarves name x Leaves 2. Today, we are learning about an x interesting group of animals - Hole punchers x INSECTS! They come in a variety Lifecycle posters of butterfly of shapes and sizes and colors! Do Place 1-2 scarves under each carpet square. they think there are insects with Have pictures of the stages of a butterfly blue? With green? With purple? ready (if available). With polka dots? Yes! (You may Doing the activity use the pictures of insects, if you 1. Ask kids to put on their imagination want.) cap on so that they can turn into an 3. Ask the kids to help you build an insect. They are going to pretend to insect using the pillow model. You be a baby butterfly and see what may either pass out a part to each happens as it grows up. child or call on each one to come up 2. Show the picture of the egg – ask the and choose a part. I found that kids to curl up into a little ball on keeping all the parts in the container their carpet square. This is what a

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“baby” butterfly would look like – Doing the activity no wings or scales or antennae, or Cockroach – Insect! three body parts. During this stage, o 6 legs, 2 antennae, compound eyes they are busy growing! o no wings – flightless 3. Next, show the picture of the larva – o exoskeleton which is molted as they ask the kids to wiggle on their belly grow as a caterpillar. Have them wiggle to o incomplete metamorphosis – babies the leaves and hole punchers that in look like miniature adults. the circle and use a hole puncher to o After each molt, are pale white until punch out the leaves demonstrating exoskeleton hardens up. how caterpillars eat leaves. During this stage, larvae are busy eating! Tarantula – Insect Imposter! They may need some assistance by o Is the imposter! While an arthropod, their adult to actually punch through like insects (jointed legs and the leaves. exoskeleton), is not grouped with 4. Next, show the picture of the insects chrysalis – ask the kids to stand with o Only has 2 body parts their arms down and legs together (cephalothorax and abdomen) and 8 and pretend to spin a cocoon and legs then sleep. o Hairs on legs let it feel or “hear” 5. Finally, show them the picture of the when animals are near it or if web is insect they have become….a moved. Many tarantula species use butterfly! Ask the kids to “hatch” their legs to flick special hairs, called from their chrysalis and look under urticating hairs, off their abdomens their carpet square for their “wings”. when disturbed. These hairs are Have them fly around the room, barbed and lodge in the eyes and waving the scarf as they “fly”. mucous membranes of would-be 6. Introduce the word “metamorphosis” attackers, causing great discomfort to the group. Insects change their and irritation. Tarantulas from Asia body shape/form as they grow. and Africa do not have urticating hairs, so they have use more Wrap-up aggressive posturing when Butterflies go through complete threatened. metamorphosis – before reaching their final o Does have an exoskeleton (like an stage! insect) and sheds it. o Are the biggest spiders in the world Animal Encounters (15 min) o Have very strong jaws with Getting ready venomous fangs. Tarantulas kill Settle kids onto their carpet squares in a their prey with a bite from their circle and review rules and expectations: fangs. The fangs release venom that kills their victim and a chemical in o Stay seated during animal time the venom helps dissolve the victim's o Stay quiet flesh. Tarantulas can also crush their o Touch with 2 fingers prey using their powerful mouthparts o Their job is to figure out which animal is the insect and which isn’t. o The female makes a silk cocoon in her home for her eggs. Once the eggs are laid (from 75 to 1,000!), she seals up the cocoon with silk and then stands guard for six to nine weeks

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until the young hatch. They will go off on their own when they are two to three weeks old.

Wrap-up Encourage the kids to use their insect I.D. skills to identify other animals that they find as insects or not insects.

Make a Little Buggy! (5 min) Getting ready Place insect supplies that each kid will need into a cup for each child. You will need: x 4 wings, 3 body parts /child x Glue x Big piece of paper x crayons

Doing the activity 1. Pass out a piece of paper and a cup with the supplies to each child. 2. Encourage the children to count out the correct number of parts for their butterfly (4 wings, 3 body parts) and then glue them onto their picture. 3. Use the crayons to add antennae and legs. 4. Finally, color and decorate their insects.

Wrap-up Thanks everyone for coming and have a fun day at the Zoo!

Assessment

Extension

Resources www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmnh/buginfo/start .html NAI Region Four Interpretive Booklet – Bugs!

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