Young Naturalists: Visit to UMASS "Bug Wall"

 Yesterday the Young Naturalists visited the Plant, Soil and Insect Science building at UMASS. A graduate student named Matt had a presentation for us, all about what makes an insect an insect plus who the other arthropods are. He showed us some awesome pictures of insects, and told us some amazing facts, such as: Insects are more numerous than any other animal on the planet, and every third animal on Earth is a beetle! We also talked about how important insects are to humans, animals and other insects. Campers were amazed that some people like to EAT insects!

After the slide show, campers had a look at a honeybee hive up close.

It was easy to spot the queen, who had been marked with a dot. (Plus, she was the biggest!)

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Then campers visited the “Bug Wall,” a magnificent collection of insects on display.

There are more than twenty insects in this case – can you spot them?

Afterwards campers met some live insects up close. They had a chance to hold a Madagascar hissing cockroach.

This is a cool beetle that plays dead as a defense strategy!

Which one is a boy and which one is a girl?

The male has horns on its head for fighting and defense (left). The female has a smoother head (right).

Tarantulas are not insects, but arachnids. The tarantula’s hairs are an adaptation. When attacked, the tarantula can “kick off” its irritating hairs at its predator.