Identifying bugs
In this activity, students use the web resource ‘What is this bug?’ from Landcare Research to identify an insect. This easy-to-use web page allows students to learn more about insects.
Naming Fred
Dr Robert Hoare, of Landcare Research NZ Ltd, talks about the process that the scientists went through to name the new species they had found when they discovered Fred the Thread.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
navigate around the Landcare Research ‘What is this bug’ site to identify various insects
gain confidence in their observation skills as they describe an insect’s identifiable features
better appreciate the variety of insects in their local area.
Download the Word file for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
extension ideas.
Related content
Explore What’s so special about insects?, Insects – physical characteristics and Aquatic insect life to find out more about insects.
Discover the wide range of our resources on insects, or explore the range of content under our invertebrates topic.
In the Connected article City of bugs, students teamed up with a scientist to find out which ecosystem in their city had the most invertebrates.
Learn about bringing insects into your classroom in our PLD webinar All about insects featuring entomologists Dr Chrissie Painting and Tom Saunders.
Use iNaturalist to help identify insects. Find out more how to use this citizen science project in your teaching.
Activity ideas
Moths – learn how to collect moths and how to rear them to observe their life cycle. Watch a video on rearing moths and then write a ‘how to’ guide in Rearing insects.
Make a wanted poster – enhance observation and scientific drawing skills.
In Insect mihi, students write a formal introduction for an insect species including its relationship to other animals and the land.
