Build an Ultimate Bug with Recycled Materials
What is it?
Invertebrates (animals without a backbone) are masters of adaptation. Adaptations are things about the animal’s body (i.e. spines) and things that the animal does (i.e. fly), that help the animal to survive. Invertebrates are found in nearly every region of the world. With 97% of the animal species on Earth being invertebrates, they are a vital part of most food chains. Adaptations are what help these animals stay alive. Create your own animal using interesting items you already have at home!
Materials
| Paper rolls Construction paper Cereal boxes Whatever else looks fun! |
Egg cartons Material scraps Glue |
Yarn/string Old buttons Scissors |
Directions:
- Think of 3 unique physical characteristics you have observed watching live insects or in books – the stranger the better! These might include interesting shapes like thorns, bright or camouflaged coloration, weird smells, odd shapes and sizes, specialized antennae, eyes, etc.
- Create your bug using the supplies you’ve gathered. Be sure that your insect has three body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen) and that it has 6 legs that are connected to the thorax. Don’t forget eyes, antennae, and wings. (Wings also connect to the thorax.)
- After you have created your bug, build a place for it to live. You can use a shoebox. Make sure to give your insect what it needs to survive - food, water, and a place to hide (shelter).
Cool Insect Adaptations
- The Alligator bug has “teeth” patterns on it’s head that make it look like he has big teeth.
- Honeypot ants “stuff” members of their colony with food and then suspend them from the ceiling to store food for the rest of the colony.
- A common flea can jump 200 times its own height.
- A weevil has a long snout that is used to drill holes in plants.
- Asian stinkbugs can squirt a smelly substance up to a distance of 12 inches away.
- Some ants can lift 50 times their own weight.
- Termite queens can live and lay eggs for more than 50 years.
- The Bombardier beetle is able to combine two chemicals in its body and then spray a red-hot mixture at its enemies.
- Dung beetles have a shovel-shaped head to help them roll dung balls!
Click to Print This Page
