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Naming UFOs Give your kids a
close encounter of the entomological kind
You can learn a
great deal about insects by observing them closely. Unfortunately, insects in the wild are
not always cooperative. You can construct a simple insect net and cage using everyday
items found around your home. Once captured, the cage can prevent your subject from
crawling, hopping or flying away. Insects are generally content in a cage with water
(moisten a cotton ball or paper towel) and their preferred food (this may be leaves of the
plant from which they were taken) for a day or two, but after this they should be returned
to the wild.
MAKE AN INSECT NET
Whether lightly combing the tops of the grass or gently scooping up airborne insects, a
net is an invaluable tool for insect investigations. You can make a homemade sweep net
with a coat hanger, a pillowcase (or nylon hose, muslin or mosquito netting), 3-foot
broomstick or dowel, and tape. Open a coat hanger and shape it into a large hoop.
Straighten the last 6- to 8-inch sections on either end. Cut a slit in the hem of the
pillow case and thread the hanger through it (sew or staple muslin or mosquito netting
onto the loop with the loose ends of the material folded toward the outside of the net).
Have an adult cut or drill two 4- to 5-inch long notches on either side of one end of the
broomstick. Slip the ends of the coat hanger into the notches and tape the coat hanger in
place as tightly as possible.
MAKE AN INSECT CAGE
Wash out and dry an empty half-gallon milk carton or locate an empty shoe box. Cut
large windows on all four sides of the container. Using tape, cover the windows with
plastic wrap or window screening. If you are using a milk carton (diagram a), cut off the
top flap and cover the opening with plastic wrap (holes punched), screening or
cheesecloth. This removable cover can be held in place with a rubber band. Cut and cover a
window in the lid of a shoe box (diagram b). Or, instead of covering the windows, simply
place the entire container inside a leg of nylon hose. When a specimen is captured, place
it inside the container and close the top. Secure the hose with a twist tie or rubber
band.
For a somewhat fancier cage, use an old cookie and cake tin. Cut screening to the
desired height. Roll the screen into a tube with the same diameter as that of the cookie
tin. The screen tube, which will become the sides of the cage, should fit snugly in the
bottom of the tin. Allow the screen to overlap about 1/2 inch. Seal the screen sides shut
with tape or sew it with thin wire or waxed thread. The screening can be anchored by
adding 1 to 2 inches of plaster to the bottom of the tin. When placed on the upper end of
the screen tube, the tin lid forms the roof of the cage.
HOW TO MAKE A BUG BOX
Recommended ages: 5 and up (younger children will need assistance)
Estimated time: 1 to 1 1/2 hours
Materials: cotton balls or paper towels, coat hanger, pillowcase (muslin or mosquito
netting), 3-foot broomstick or heavy dowel, duct and transparent tapes, stapler, scissors,
knife or drill, cookie tin (milk carton or shoe box), window screening (plastic wrap,
cheesecloth or gauze), rubber band, nylon hose, wire or waxed thread, plaster |
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