Creepy Crawly Insect Collection

Insect collects are often a staple of biology classes. They incorporate a variety of skills, such as collection, identification, trapping and mounting insects. Mounted insects can be difficult to make and transport and have the unfortunate consequence of killing the insect to make the display. In this project, you will create a virtual insect collection by taking photographs of insects you have found or trapped. These photos will be published to the web using a platform of your choise (museumbox, flickr, google sites..etc). Alternately, your instructor may have you submit this assignment via email, or hardcopy portfolio.

Investigation

Insects are all around us, sometimes it just takes quiet time in an outdoor location to notice the insects that are nearby. You can also choose to trap insects using a variety of known methods (pitfall traps, berlese funnels..etc). Your goal is to find at least 5 unique insects from your area or habitat.

Photographs

Take care when photographing your specimen, try to get a clear photo or take multiple photos of the same insect. Insects are identified by the coloration, antennae, wing presence, legs and other fine details that you will need to establish in your photographs. Do not steal photographs from the web, use your own photos!

Identification

Use a field guide or websites to identify your insect. Your ID should include the common and species name as well as what ORDER the insect belongs to. (All insects belong to the Class Insecta).

Display

Use one of the media sites (or check with your instructor) to display your collection. Each insect photograph should contain the following information.

1. Scientific Name
2. Common Name
3. Order (hemiptera, orthoptera ..etc)
4. Location insect was found and date.

Submission

Check with your instructor on submission guidelines. In most cases, you will only need to provide a link to the site where your images are hosted.

Assessment Rubric