Due
Date___________Entomology Lab Due
Date___________
Insects belong to the kingdom Animal, phylum Arthropod and class Insect. They are an extremely diverse group of animals representing about 3/4's of all animal species on Earth. They must be small in size because of the limitations placed on them by their exoskeleton. They help us in many different ways, such as pollinating flowers, decomposing organic matter, and providing food for many other creatures. They also harm us by competing with us for food, spreading disease and even parasitizing us.
In this lab you will collect, preserve and mount
35
different species of hard bodied insects (Class: Insecta).
You may substitute the following classes for up to
5 of your insect specimens:
1. Crustacea- sow bug, 2 pair of antennae, gills. (Limit = 1)
2. Arachnida- spiders, 4 pairs of legs, 2 body parts. (Limit =
2)
3. Diplopoda- millipede, two pairs of legs per segment. (Limit
= 1)
4. Chilopoda- centipede, one pair of legs per segment. (Limit =
1)
Discussion Items: (answered
in the Discussion at end of this lab on your own paper, 5 complete sent. each).
1. In detail, describe the structure(s)/body parts of the class
Insecta.
2. Make a chart with at least 5 items that contrasts class Insecta with
one of
the other 4 classes listed above. [for example, contrast Insects with
Arachnids].
3. From your collection pick one harmful and one helpful insect
(must
be different orders) and:
a. classify the insects at the Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, and
Family
levels.
b. list the book and page #'s used to identify/describe each
Family.
c. describe the niche and life habits of each insect.
d. draw and label the life cycle of each insect.
e. describe how each is helpful or harmful.
4. Describe how you would change this lab to make it a better
learning
tool and/or explain why this lab was a good learning tool for you.
Hypothesis: Where and how will you find
most of your
insects? (Make this hypo. as soon as you receive this lab):
Data: Make an insect collection with 35
numbered
insect specimens. [# in logical order].
-group insects BY
ORDER within your collection.
-The insects must be intact and pinned so they are clearly visible with
one set of wings extended.
-30 insects must have an easily read data label (pinned
under the insect) that includes:
a. the Order of the insect (in Bold)
b. book and page used to identify the Order
c. the collection location (county/area) and date
d. your name
e. other comments.
(do not label the other 4
Arthropod orders)
Hints: No biocides allowed to kill
specimens. Try
freezing hard bodied insects to kill them. Pin the specimens as
soon as
they are fully dead as they dry out rapidly and break apart.
Cats,
transport, and siblings often damage insect collections, be sure they
have a
cover and are stored in a safe place. Have parental permission
for insect
storage areas and materials used. Make your data labels easy to
read and
put the Order name in bold.
Collect early before frost kills many of the insects in our area.
Attach this lab and your Discussion and Conclusion, to your
collection.
Put your name on everything.
Scoring:
Hypothesis.................._____/2.5
Data............................_____/35
Discussion items answered in complete sentences in Discussion:
1)................................_____/7
2)................................_____/10 Comments:
3)................................_____/14
4)................................_____/2.5
Conclusion.................._____/4
Total Score.................._____/75pts.
Name__________________________________________________Due Date____________
