Critter CareCritter Care

HealthWISEHealthWISE

Insects in the ClassroomInsects in the Classroom

The following arthropods are used in the The following arthropods are used in the InsectInsect modules:modules:

CricketsCrickets

AntsAnts

Sow BugsSow Bugs

MealwormsMealworms

FliesFlies

Critter ComfortCritter Comfort

Living things need:Living things need: AirAir FoodFood WaterWater ShelterShelter

Some of these critters need water to drink, others just require Some of these critters need water to drink, others just require a moist environment.a moist environment.

If fruit or vegetable is used as the food source, it must be If fruit or vegetable is used as the food source, it must be removed every other day to prevent mold growth which removed every other day to prevent mold growth which could lead to the death of the organisms.could lead to the death of the organisms.

Critter ReleaseCritter Release Due to the problem in many areas with non-native Due to the problem in many areas with non-native

invasive species, there may be laws regarding the invasive species, there may be laws regarding the release of insects and other species into the wild.release of insects and other species into the wild.

If you obtain the specimens from the wild, you may If you obtain the specimens from the wild, you may release them back to that same environment. release them back to that same environment.

If you obtain the specimens from a biological If you obtain the specimens from a biological resource facility, do not release them into the resource facility, do not release them into the environment.environment.

Critters should NOT be given to the students to take Critters should NOT be given to the students to take home as this generally results in environmental home as this generally results in environmental release.release.

So, what do you need to do?So, what do you need to do?

Remember, you can only release organisms back to Remember, you can only release organisms back to their original habitat.their original habitat.

Some make great gecko food!Some make great gecko food! Insecticide also works, just don’t tell the students or Insecticide also works, just don’t tell the students or

use it in front of them.use it in front of them. Critters also die from old age, however, many breed Critters also die from old age, however, many breed

and leave offspring which starts your entire problem and leave offspring which starts your entire problem over again. You may prevent this by keeping them in over again. You may prevent this by keeping them in the refrigerator or separating the organisms the refrigerator or separating the organisms individually. individually.

Helpful HintsHelpful Hints

Children enjoy looking at critters with Children enjoy looking at critters with magnifying lens.magnifying lens.

Placing the organisms in see-through Placing the organisms in see-through containers helps with observationcontainers helps with observation

Lowering the temperature of the containers Lowering the temperature of the containers will slow their movementwill slow their movement

Cool the container holding all of the critters Cool the container holding all of the critters before transferring them to smaller observation before transferring them to smaller observation containers.containers.

Difficult QuestionsDifficult Questions Most children have great empathy for animals and Most children have great empathy for animals and

may be distressed or concerned if a critter dies. may be distressed or concerned if a critter dies. Acknowledge their concern and let them know that Acknowledge their concern and let them know that

living things have life spans. Some trees are living things have life spans. Some trees are hundreds of years old. A fly on average lives 15 – 30 hundreds of years old. A fly on average lives 15 – 30 days for it’s entire life cycle. All living things days for it’s entire life cycle. All living things eventually die. eventually die.

Be careful about discussions of when Dear Aunt Be careful about discussions of when Dear Aunt Myrtle or Fluffy died. Everyone will want to share Myrtle or Fluffy died. Everyone will want to share their pet story with the class and your lesson will be their pet story with the class and your lesson will be forgotten.forgotten.

Even More Difficult QuestionsEven More Difficult Questions

No doubt about it! Insects do copulate and not No doubt about it! Insects do copulate and not always on your schedule.always on your schedule.

This means that students may see something This means that students may see something that you had hoped not to teach.that you had hoped not to teach.

Most likely, children at this age will be Most likely, children at this age will be concerned that the two organisms are fighting. concerned that the two organisms are fighting.

It is okay to say that this is normal behavior It is okay to say that this is normal behavior and this happens in order for eggs to be laid.and this happens in order for eggs to be laid.

WebsitesWebsites

http://insected.arizona.edu/info.htmhttp://insected.arizona.edu/info.htm http://www.infowest.com/life/anttips.htmhttp://www.infowest.com/life/anttips.htm http://repticzone.com/caresheets/705.htmlhttp://repticzone.com/caresheets/705.html http://timberlinefisheries.com/insect%20care%http://timberlinefisheries.com/insect%20care%

20instructions.htm20instructions.htm http://www.triciaswinterdragon.com.htmhttp://www.triciaswinterdragon.com.htm

CricketsCrickets Obtain from pet shopsObtain from pet shops Must be kept in hard plastic cage/container with air, but small Must be kept in hard plastic cage/container with air, but small

holes to prevent escapeholes to prevent escape Food: fish flakes (purchase at a pet food store)Food: fish flakes (purchase at a pet food store) Water: use a bottle cap or shallow lid for fresh water dailyWater: use a bottle cap or shallow lid for fresh water daily Clean cricket containers frequently! They do emit an odor that Clean cricket containers frequently! They do emit an odor that

becomes fiercer with age.becomes fiercer with age.

AntsAntsYou must capture the queen if you want to keep a You must capture the queen if you want to keep a

colony of ants. You can capture a few ants to colony of ants. You can capture a few ants to observe and release them after the lesson.observe and release them after the lesson.

The following website has all the information needed to The following website has all the information needed to collect and care for ants:collect and care for ants:

http://www.infowest.com/life/anttips.htmhttp://www.infowest.com/life/anttips.htm

Sowbugs and PillbugsSowbugs and Pillbugs

Can be found in garden soil, especially under rocks, Can be found in garden soil, especially under rocks, wood or wood chipswood or wood chips

Slices of raw fruit provide nutrition Slices of raw fruit provide nutrition Require hiding places in the cageRequire hiding places in the cage Moist environment neededMoist environment needed

MealwormsMealworms

Mealworms are the larval stage of darkling Mealworms are the larval stage of darkling beetles (beetles (Tenebrio molitorTenebrio molitor))

They can be kept in bran or oatmeal. A slice They can be kept in bran or oatmeal. A slice of apple can provide moisture.of apple can provide moisture.

FliesFlies Fruit flies or house flies are easily obtained from the wild Fruit flies or house flies are easily obtained from the wild

with bait such as ripened fruit, manure, or molasses. with bait such as ripened fruit, manure, or molasses. Due to the environment flies prefer, students should not Due to the environment flies prefer, students should not

touch them.touch them. Can be kept in a small container with a sugar mixtureCan be kept in a small container with a sugar mixture Unless you want to teach a lesson in reproductive processes, Unless you want to teach a lesson in reproductive processes,

you may want to provide each student with a single fly.you may want to provide each student with a single fly.

This is fun!This is fun!

Arthropods are an interesting phylum to study Arthropods are an interesting phylum to study in the classroom. Most children will call all of in the classroom. Most children will call all of them bugs. You can correct this them bugs. You can correct this misconception in the HealthWISE activities. misconception in the HealthWISE activities. Get them past the “eww” factor and appreciate Get them past the “eww” factor and appreciate that these living organisms share many that these living organisms share many characteristics of the human organism. characteristics of the human organism.