Now that the summer's here, the days last longer and the temperatures climb higher-but
what really gets out of hand is bugs. There are millions of them, flying, crawling, squirming, and
reproducing, everywhere you look. This summer, why not turn the tables on the little guys and keep
a summer bug journal?
What you'll need:
- A notebook-attach a pen or pencil to the notebook with string and tape
- Clear cellophane tape
- A clean glass jar with a screw-on lid
- A piece of cardboard
- A good insect reference book with lots of pictures
What to do:
Look for bugs under rocks, in pools and ponds, and around the base of trees. The
safest way to catch bugs (because some bite or sting) is to place a glass jar over the bug you want
to catch and then slip the cardboard across the o pening. Every time you find a new bug, record
your observations in the journal, noting where you found it, what the bug was doing, etc. Make sure
to make a note on each page to remind yourself which of the bugs in your jar goes with which
description. (You can also simply observe and draw the bugs you find, or take photos.)
You can either release each bug after observing it for a while (the ethical thing
to do), or keep it in the sealed jar in a sunny place until it dies and dries out. Then, simply
tape it to the notebook page where you described it. You can look up the bug to identify it, or
just keep the book to gross out and/or impress your friends.
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