28 Apr Junior Scientist: Become an Insect Detective

Spring is here! As the ground thaws after a long winter, insects of all kinds will be emerging from their winter naps. Insects are cold-blooded, so they need warmer temperatures to be active. Once the insects become active, they come out of their winter hiding spots ready to eat and play!

Early spring is a great time to explore around your backyard and community for different kinds of insects. Some insects might be out in the open where you can easily spot them. Other insects like darker places, and you might find them hiding under rocks, logs or piles of leaves. 

You don’t need anything special to start your hunt for insects, but if you want to learn more about what kind of insects you find, you might want to bring a few things along. A magnifying glass can help you get a closer look at some of the smaller insects you might find. You can bring a small notebook and a pencil to sketch and take notes about what you find. Draw a small picture of what you see, and describe it with as much detail as you can.

Here are some good questions to help you get started:

• What colors do you see?
• How many legs does it have?
• How does it move: crawling, walking, jumping or flying?
• Is it alone or with a group of other insects? 
• How big is it?

Read More

There are many different ways to identify the insects you find! To discover more about insects, or to get help identifying different kinds of insects in our area and around the world, come check out our selection of books!

Written by Adrian C., Youth Services Library Assistant