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What Do You Do After 50 Insects and 7 Orders?

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by Shannon Martin 1976 National Winner in Entomology Here you are, the fervent young entomologist setting out on your 4-H career. You read your records and they tell you to collect. So you explore the joys of killing jars, nets, collecting spots, and the like. But your frustrated instincts cry out - there must be something more than collecting! And so there is. You must remember, though, that the entomology records are designed by the state office to provide a basic outline for the project and are not intended to be the limit to your endeavors. Strive. Dream. Aspire. Collecting is just the base for bigger and better things, and for the determined entomologist these better things are just around the corner. To me, entomology falls into two definite parts, learning that not all insects are bugs and convincing the rest of the world that not all insects are bugs. There are a few things that don't belong in either part and are strictly for fun and enjoyment. Therefore, everything I want to tell you in this article fits into one of those categories or is classified as fun. LEARNING Did you know that the praying mantis is the only insect that can turn its head? Also, that the mantis, when eating, starts at one point, nibbles its way down a row, and then goes back to begin another row? These facts are examples of what can be learned from merely watching an insect, preferably in its natural surroundings. Insects are curious creatures with reactions that are intriguing and involving and deserve a fitting study. There's a fine line between studying and raising insects, but studying them should come first. After all, you need to walk before you run, right? So walk, don't run, to the nearest meadow, garden, or anthill and watch these fascinating creatures live their lives. Experiment 56. Discrimination between More or Less Sweet Sugar Solutions and Memory in Bees (18) What's this? It sounds like a science class. Well, it's an insect experiment and if you're really into studying the quirks and habits of insects, then you might find this area interesting. A good guide for this type of activitiy is 101 Simple Experiments With Insects by H. Kalmus, D.Sc. It covers experiments on locomotion, digestion, mechanical senses, reactions to light, behavior, and other areas. The next branch is raising insects. You can view this three different ways. 1. You are raising insects for scientific study. 2. You are keeping a miniature zoo. 3. You just acquired some very unusual pets (very unusual.) Whatever way you think of it, raising insects is a fascinating adventure. However, it is wise to study and read about insects before you start raising them. General reading will do at first, but do an intensive study on any insects you raise. For example, you just found two Salt Marsh caterpillars (larva of the Acrea moth) and you want to raise them. Latch onto every piece of literature that mentions Acrea moths that you can find. You need information on what they eat, how they pupate, and so on. If you can’t find the information you need under Acrea moth, then look under the family name. At last! A use for those scientific names! And if that fails, start experimenting—and hope. You don’t need to stick to moths and butterflies. During my 12 years in this project, the most appealing insects I raised were praying mantis, various water beetles, and the fearsome cicada killer wasp. From pig louse to the monarch, they all have interesting lives. CONVINCING “Good morning, Mr. Phelps. Although it may seem hard to believe, many of the people in this world are laboring under the misapprehension that all insects are bad. Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to change public opinion by education. You may us any of the methods outlined below. Good luck, Jim. This message will self-destruct in three seconds.” Although stemming the tide of public opinion may seem like “mission impossible” you can help by throwing entomology at the public every chance you get. Many counties hold annual 4-H Days. These are ideal for entomologists. The study of insects provides an endless supply of fresh ideas for demonstrations, talks, public speaking, and such.. Too often the topics in projects like food and clothing have been used and reused. When it comes time for you to give part of the program at your club’s monthly meeting, use entomology as your subject. Try submitting a story on entomology to your local newspaper. A well-written story has a good chance of being accepted. Talk to the editor. Maybe you can work out a regular column if he likes the first one. The same thing goes for the director of the local radio station. Remember, they are there to serve the community. The county 4-H fair is another 4-H event that provides a showcase for education of the public. Aside from the collection entry, there is also an entry for an “educational display.” Most people don’t know what it is, and so there is little competition in that area. It is, simply, a display intended to educate the public on some aspect of entomology. These boxes are designed to catch the eye, and they certainly attract a lot of attention at the fairs. FUN Then there are the things that can be fitted into the Learning or Convincing areas if you try hard enough. But why try? They’re all right as they are: fun activities. 1. Drawing. If you like to draw, insects are a natural. You’d be surprised at how good they turn out. 2. Embedding. Using a plastic resin, you can make a wide variety of things. 3. Photography. Make a collection of insects that don’t break as easily as the regular kind. 4. Communicate. There are groups of entomologists that exchange letters or ideas. One such group in TIEG or Teen International Entomology Group, based at Michigan State University. 5. And many, many more. You are a determined entomologist. Let imagination be your guide and there will never be an end to the things for you to do. As the old saw says, “Opportunity’s knocking.” Get up and let it in. Editor’s note: Shannon Martin, a 1976 national winner in the 4-H entomology project, says one secret of getting maximum learning from 4-H is to tie projects together – to take projects which relate to and reinforce each other. For example, in addition to entomology, Shannon has worked in geology, forestry, arts and crafts, reading for project enrichment, and growing garden flowers, and all these projects have combined well together. Originally published in the June 1977 issue of the Kansas 4-H Journal.