INSECT STUDY MERIT BADGEmeritbadgehelpbsa.sirjames.info/.../08/INSECT-STUDY...(you) (insect) Shed exoskeleton of a dragonfly nymph. Exoskeletons are made of chitin and are shed as

INSECT STUDY MERIT BADGE 2019

Recorded by James Schultz as taught by Eagle Scout Jared Schultz

Cicada on thumb of Eagle Scout Jared Schultz

Hi, I’m Jared and this is my dog “Gator”.

I am going to help you earn your Insect Merit Badge. This badge is really fun to learn and do. It will involve you going “outdoors” to experience nature, bugs and stuff. It will also have you going on several small field trips…one to learn about bees. As we go through this together, there are a couple of things you will need to know. First, you and only your are responsible for your learning. When done, you will stand before your counselor and he/she will quiz you. You will need to know your stuff. This is where I will help you….to learn and understand the information you will need to know before you go... Let’s get started.

Luna Moth on my finger. Learn how to attract, capture, and collect beautiful moths.

I If you liked this merit badge, then you might want to try these other outdoor badges that are very similar. They are all a lot of fun to do!!

Nature

Mammal Study Reptile and Amphibian Study

Bird Study Fish and Wildlife Management

Soil and Water Conservation

A

As you go through the requirements, pay attention to the verbs. And then do what they say!! If it says describe, then describe it. If it says list, then list it!! You must do the requirements as they are given. Don’t draw if it says list…it is that simple.

The text book is a bit out dated and needs to be updated as of 2019. But it is still a good reference to the material. Buy it on line or at your local scout shop. https://www.troop109nj.com/merit-badge-library/

Verbs used in the different requirements: 1. Explain, discuss 2. Tell, show 3. Point out, name 4. Describe 5. Observe, make, label, share 6. Identify, discuss 7. Explain, discuss 8. Compare, tell 9. Raise 10. Observe, find, explain, study, remove, estimate, count 11. Tell 12. Tell 13. Find out, pick, discuss, explain

First Aid

Insect Study

About Worksheets: You are not required to do them, but you are required to do all of the requirements. The worksheets help. Feel free to write answers down and use more paper or the back of the sheets. Get yours on line at: usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/list.asp https://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badge_Worksheets

Most updated merit badges have had a first aid component added to the beginning of the requirements. It is a good idea to finish all your First Aid requirements for Tenderfoot-First Class immediately. Then work on your First Aid Merit Badge next. This will save you a lot of time and effort as you work on other merit badges.`

WHAT WILL-WON’T WE COVER? • We will cover requirements: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12

• We will not cover requirements: 5, 6, 9, 10, 13 but will talk about how to do them.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO GET THE MERIT BADGE SIGNED OFF TODAY? All written material in your packet Projects in requirements: 5,6,9,10, 13 Prove to your councilor that you KNOW your stuff!! Coming today does NOT guarantee you will get the badge. You must do your work.

Walking Sticks are really hard to find so I was lucky to find this one in my yard.

“In earning the Insect Study merit badge, Scouts will glance into the strange and fascinating world of the insect. There, they will meet tiny creatures with tremendous strength and speed, see insects that undergo startling changes in habits and form as they grow, and learn how insects see, hear, taste, smell, and feel the world around them. “ Insect Study is one of the elective merit badges for the William T. Hornaday awards for Scouts BSA.

Req. 1: Do the following: a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards associated with exposure to ants and bees and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards. b. Discuss the prevention of and treatment for health concerns that could occur while working with ants and bees, including insect bites and anaphylactic shock.

Generally: Bees /wasps sting and ants bite (although there are some that can sting.) Some bees can only sting once and then die. Others can sting multiple times and fly away happy.

Anyway you look at it…it hurts and can do some damage. What do you do if you are stung or bitten by a bug?

Hazard Anticipate Help prevent Mitigate Response

verb make less severe, serious, or painful.

verb regard as probable; expect or predict.

verb keep (something) from happening or arising.

Verb a reaction to something.

Look at your Tenderfoot-First Class requirements and fill in the answers above.

Health Concern Prevention Treatment

Bee Sting

Ant Sting

Ant Bite

Anaphylactic Shock

Other:

Other:

The first time a bee stings you, you will get a mild reaction…ouch. Later if one stings you, it may be much worse due to your body having built up antibodies to the protein (antigen) in the venom (allergy). This reaction can sometimes be sever enough to put a person into anaphylactic shock. Anaphylaxis can result in death. The best treatment is a shot of antihistamine and a 911 call.

Symptoms of allergic reaction: Skin reactions, including hives and

itching and flushed or pale skin Difficulty breathing Swelling of the throat and tongue A weak, rapid pulse Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea Dizziness or fainting Loss of consciousness

Earn your search and rescue merit badge and be prepared for any of these emergencies.

Ant bites and stings

Wasp sting and reactions

Nearly everyone has been bitten or stung by an insect at one time or another. Whether you’ve been attacked by a mosquito, fly, bee, wasp, ant, or other bug, insect bites and stings usually cause a mild reaction. Your body reacts to venom or other proteins that insects inject into you or transfer to your body through their saliva. This can result in symptoms at the site of the bite or sting, such as: Redness, swelling, pain, itching The severity of your symptoms can vary, depending on the type of insect that bites or stings you. Some people also develop a severe allergic reaction to insect stings or bites. Bee and wasp allergies are particularly common. A severe allergic reaction can cause: Hives, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, swelling of your face, lips, or throat, breathing problems, shock If you or someone you know begins to experience these symptoms shortly after being bitten or stung by an insect, call 911 or local emergency services. A severe allergic reaction that affects multiple parts of your body is called anaphylaxis. It can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. If you’ve ever had a severe reaction to an insect bite or sting, ask your doctor about allergy testing. If you’ve been diagnosed with a severe allergy, your doctor should prescribe a medication called epinephrine. You can use a preloaded epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen®) to inject the medication in your outer thigh muscle. It acts quickly to raise your blood pressure, stimulate your heart, and reduce swelling of your airways. You should carry it with you at all times, especially when you’re outdoors in areas where you might encounter insects. First aid treatment If someone shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, help them get emergency medical attention and follow the steps in the next section. If they show no signs of a severe reaction, treat the site of the bite or sting for minor symptoms: If the insect’s stinger is still embedded in their skin, remove it by gently scraping a flat-edged object, such as a credit card, across their skin. Avoid using tweezers to remove the stinger, since squeezing it may release more venom. Wash the area of the bite with soap and water. Place a cold compress or ice pack on the area for about 10 minutes at a time to help reduce pain and swelling. Wrap any ice or ice packs in a clean cloth to protect their skin. Apply calamine lotion or a paste of baking soda and water to the area several times a day to help relieve itching and pain. Calamine lotion is a type of antihistamine cream. Emergency treatment for a severe allergic reaction If you suspect someone may be having a severe allergic reaction: Ask someone else to call 911, or local emergency services, right away. If you’re alone, contact emergency services before you provide other treatment. Ask the person whether they carry an epinephrine auto-injector. If they do, retrieve it for them and help them use it according to the label directions. Encourage them to remain calm, lie down quietly with their legs elevated, and stay still. If they start to vomit, turn them onto their side to allow the vomit to drain and prevent choking. If they become unconscious and stop breathing, begin CPR. Continue it until medical help arrives. https://www.healthline.com/health/first-aid/bites-stings

What makes an insect an insect? When we classify animals into groups we use characteristics they have in common such as: DNA, body systems, skeletal systems, symmetry, exterior coverings etc. So a mammal has fur, bilateral symmetry, 4 chambered heart… An worm, Annelida, is segmented; sponges, Porifera, have spicules; birds, Aves, have feathers and the list goes on and on. Insects belong to the phylum: Arthropoda. What are their characteristics?

Arthropoda

Bilateral symmetry Segmented

Exoskeleton (chitin) Paired appendages

Req. 2: Tell how insects are different from all other animals. Show how insects are different from centipedes and spiders.

Like this Luna moth, I am segmented, have bilateral symmetry and paired appendages, but I have an endoskeleton so I am not a bug.

HOW ARE INSECTS CLASSIFIED? Carl Linneaus: Wrote our classification system back in the 1700s. He is the one who came up with “Kingdom, phylum…species” that you learned in grade school.

Organisms are classified according to characteristics they have in common. (structures, DNA, etc.)

Kingdoms:

Animal: you, dog, bird, fish, frog, snake, bug

Plant: trees, grass, flowers

Protista: Amoeba, paramecium, green alga

Bacteria (2): Strep, E. coli, Blue-green alga

Fungi: yeast, mold, mushrooms

Insects belong to the Animal Kingdom

I caught this dobsonfly larvae in our pond. You can do the merit badge using aquatic larvae if you want.

Kingdom: ANIMALIA, Plant, Protist, Bacteria, Fungi

Phylum: Chordata, Porifera, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Nematoda, Annelida Platyhelminthes, ARTHROPODA, Mollusca

Class INSECTA

Order

Family

Genus

Species

The scientific name (binomial nomenclature),

is made of the : Genus species

Common Name: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Papilionidae Genus: Papilio Species: Glaucus Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus

ARTHROPODA Arthropoda

(bilateral symmetry, segmented, exoskeleton made of chitin, paired appendages)

Chelicerata Diplopoda Chilopoda Insecta Crustacea

spiders centipedes crustaceans

millipedes insects

Spiders and Ticks

Centipedes

Millipedes

Insects

Crustaceans

Many segments 1 pair legs per segment flat

Many segments 2 pair legs per segment circular

Two segments (cephalothorax, abdomen) Chelipeds, antenna, specialized appendages

Two segments (cephalothorax, abdomen), chelicera, eight legs, no antenna, book lungs

Three segments, six legs, antenna

BODY PARTS

Head

Thorax

Abdomen

(Dragonfly)

Segmentation

Appendages

Antenna Proboscis

Wings Legs

Symmetry Bilateral

EXOSKELETON Endoskelton vs Exoskeleton (you) (insect)

Shed exoskeleton of a dragonfly nymph. Exoskeletons are made of chitin and are shed as the insect grows or changes.

The exoskeleton is most commonly applied to the chitinous integument of arthropods, such as insects, spiders, and crustaceans. The arthropod exoskeleton, formed from the epidermis, is composed of an outer waxy, water-resistant layer over chitinous horny and flexible layers. In terrestrial species this covering has small breathing holes (spiracles). By preventing dehydration the exoskeleton has allowed arthropods, especially insects, to invade most terrestrial habitats. The flexible joints in the exoskeleton of creatures such as the lobster allow great freedom of movement. An exoskeleton does not grow; it must be molted regularly and a new one secreted, at which time the animal is soft and vulnerable to both predators and environmental changes.

All of the Arthropoda have exoskeletons like these that I caught in my pond.

Dragonfly Scud Damselfly

PARTS OF AN INSECT Req. 3: Point out and name the main parts of an insect.

7

9

6

5 4

3

8

2

1

10

11

1 antenna 2 compound eye 3 head 4 thorax 5 wing 6 abdomen 7 anus, ovipositor 8 mouth parts 9 spiracles 10 jumping legs 11 walking legs 12 simple eye

Quiz

12

Req. 4: Describe the characteristics that distinguish the principal families and orders of insects.

Hi…I am out here in the field collecting bugs for my bug collection. Catching lots of cool stuff. Tonight I will set up a UV light and go for moths and other night flying insects. Requirement 4 isn’t possible for you to do. Argue that with your counselor. Ask him/her what they want. There are 12 major orders of insects and I will give those to you. But…. each order is divided into many many different families. The order that has flies has 72 families….the beetles have 52 and each family is different. There is no way you can understand all of that information but at least look at it all and become familiar with the material.

Part of my collection

INSECT ORDERS (Kingdom, phylum, class, order, …)

Thysanura Wingless, scaly, long, slender antenna, 3 bristle tails

Bristletail, Silverfish

Ephemeroptera Net veined wings fold over back, 3 long tails, live by water

Mayfly

Odonata 2-pair net veined wings, large compound eyes, chewing mouth parts

Dragonfly, Damselfly

Orthopetra Chewing mouth parts, 2-pair wings (front leathery, back membranous)

Cricket, Grasshopper, Cockroach, Walking stick, Katydid

Isoptera White, soft, chewing mouth parts, colonies

Termite

When we compare insects for identification, we use the same characteristics for all of them such as: type of tail, mouth parts, antenna, over all shape and wings.

Hemiptera 2-pair of wings, forewings leathery with membranous at tip, sucking mouth parts

Box elder bug, Squash bug, Water strider, Giant water bug

Homoptera Winged (4), wingless, short beak

Cicada, Aphid, Spittlebug, Mealybug, Leafhopper

Neuroptera 2-pair net veined wings, chewing mouth parts, long slender antenna

Lacewing, Ant lion

Coleoptera Hard shelled front wing covers, wings fold, chewing mouth parts

All beetles, Boll weevil, Firefly

Lepidoptera 2-pair wings covered with scales, sucking mouth parts, antenna

Butterflies, Moths

Diptera 2-wings, small, fast fliers Housefly, Horsefly, Gnat, Mosquito, Midge

Siphonaptera Tiny, wingless, jumping, blood sucking, parasites, body flattened side to side

Fleas

Hymenoptera 4-membranous wings, many social, many with stingers

Ant, Bee, Sawfly, Hornet, Wasp, Ichneumon

We planted a pollinator garden in our yard. In this picture you can see some monarch butterflies on our blazing star fueling up for their migration to Mexico. Cool!!

Req. 5: Do the following: a. Observe 20 different live species of insects in their habitat. In your observations, include at least four orders of insects. b. Make a scrapbook of the 20 insects you observe in 5a. Include photographs, sketches, illustrations, and articles. Label each insect with its common and scientific names, where possible. Share your scrapbook with your merit badge counselor.

For this requirement you must: GO OUTSIDE. No…you can not do this on the computer or watching a video or even going to the zoo.

Document…document…document. This is the rule of all merit badges. Show that you have done it. Even have a picture of you taking a picture of a butterfly.

Many insects have their beginnings in the water. So you may want to do part or all of this requirement in a pond collecting water scorpions, whirlygig beetles and dragonfly larvae. Take pictures!!

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species… The scientific name can be found in any ID book. It is the Genus and Species names together. It is called binomial nomenclature.

Scientific name: Danaus plexippus (Monarch butterfly) Order: Lepidoptera Class: Insecta Phylum: Arthropoda Kingdom: Animalia

In addition to the field book, you might want to start an insect collection (not required) and learn how to identify the different insects in your area. You will need some tools. Insect net Killing jars ID books Drying boards Pins Paper, pen, cardboard UV light Sheet and rope Plastic jars Rotten meat, over ripe fruit

Bugs aren’t just going to land on your shirt in your backyard, you know. Like that will ever happen!! You will have to hunt them down and catch them!!

This is my favorite book series for identification in my area of Minnesota. You will have to find the ones for your state. Also try the website below for your smart phone.

https://www.insectidentification.org/insects-by-state.asp?thisState=Minnesota

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/bug_club/ent-events/collecting101.shtml

https://bugguide.net/node/view/36900

https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/401Book/default.php?page=advanced_collecting_equipment

https://thedragonflywoman.com/2010/10/05/killjars/

Killing Jars: I use a jar, cotton balls on the bottom and a cardboard divider that fits tight over the cotton. I add fingernail polish remover to act as the killing agent. Moths like light, so I set up a sheet from my bed and a BLACK LIGHT (UV) I bought at Menards. My drying boards are left over pink Styrofoam glued to cardboard at varying distances between the two halves. Pins: Buy the right ones from a biological supply house on line. Use their guide as to the proper size. Display case: Make them bug proof and maybe add a small vile of moth balls in them. Otherwise, the ants will find and destroy them.

GOOD INSECT…. BAD INSECT

Pollinators: flies, beetles,

butterflies,

moths, bees

Recyclers: Dung beetles, carrion beetles

Silkworms: For clothing Food source: Yummy

Req. 6: Do the following: a. From your scrapbook collection, identify three species of insects helpful to humans and five species of insects harmful to humans. b. Discuss the use of integrated pest management vs. chemical methods of insect control. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Go on the internet and look some of this stuff up. Do a little research and you will learn a lot.

Leaf chewing: Gall forming Root/stem boring

Sucking: Fruit/vegetable Emerald Ash Borer

KILLING AND CONTROLLING • Insecticides • eaten • direct contact • systemic

• Pheromone traps

• Roll covers

• Bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis)

• Sticky traps

• Insecticidal soaps

Look some of these up on the web and do some research on insect control.

Req. 7: Explain the symbiotic

relationship between bees and

humankind. Explain what colony

collapse disorder (CCD) is and

some of the possible causes.

Discuss how CCD affects our

food supply.

Bee Keeping merit badge was discontinued in 1995

Bees sting me and I hate it. I have seen my dad destroy lots of bee nests around our yard, under our eves. So why would I care about CCD?

I like smelling the flowers and eating nuts, berries, apples and other fruits. But I don’t eat bees. Why would I care about CCD?

I don’t need bees and they don’t need me. If they stay out in the woods where they belong, I’m ok with them. So why would I care about CCD?

When I eat outside, these “sweet bees” always want to eat my food and fly down my pop can and drown. Why would I care about CCD?

Hmmmmm??

?

http://www.efabre.net/the-importance-of-the-symbiotic-relationship-the-bee-and-the-flower

http://canadianfoodbusiness.com/2014/06/18/honeybees-humans-critical-threatened-relationship/

https://zeehoneybee.weebly.com/the-human-connection.html

Time to do some hard core research. Get permission from a parent to be on the web. Look up the sites I’ve given or find your own.

Symbiosis is any type of a close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms, be it mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic. The organisms, each termed a symbiont, may be of the same or of different species. Wikipedia Commensalism: Where one benefits from the other without harming the other who gets no benefit. Ie. A dog eats the food that falls from your plate on to the floor. Mutualism: Where both benefit from the other. Ie. You plant crops and the bee gets pollen and nectar. In return it pollinates the plant and you get food. Parasitism: One benefits from the other at the expense or harm of the other. Ie. A woodtick attaches to your leg. You lose blood, it gains food.

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/buzz-about-colony-collapse-disorder?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cHoBRDdARIsADiTTzZYhOAQNrRakc5D_itcugmVgpRwMR0BeFLR1x-1zl6WBXuKOL59TQ4aAoXcEALw_wcB https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/colony-collapse-disorder https://www.planetbee.org/colony-collapse-disorder

https://www.britannica.com/science/colony-collapse-disorder

WHAT IS COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER (CCD)? The term "Colony Collapse Disorder", or CCD, is often incorrectly used as a blanket term to refer to the trend of bee decline. However, this decline has a number of causes and takes a number of forms. CCD only refers to phenomenon characterized by the sudden -- overnight, in some cases -- loss of the vast majority of the hive, leaving a queen, full brood (larvae) cells, and full honey stores behind. In collapsed hives, no dead bees are found, puzzling scientists and posing a major challenge to the study of the disease. The USDA has been studying the phenomenon since 2009, when it became apparent that Colony Collapse was not something that would disappear on its own. CCD, while alarming, is not the main reason behind the mass die-off of the bees, and is much less common today than when we first started hearing about it in the media.

Time to do some more research. Check out the sites above or just google: Colony collapse disorder and you will find some good information.

COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS

Must include: Egg, Larvae, Pupa, Adult stages.

Req. 8: Compare the life

histories of a butterfly and a

grasshopper. Tell how they

are different

COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS

INCOMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS

Req. 9: Raise an

insect through

the complete

metamorphosis

from its larval

stage to its adult

stage (e.g. raise

a butterfly or

moth from a

caterpillar).

This requirement suggests using a butterfly or moth. But not all are good candidates. A monarch butterfly will only take you about a month. It goes from egg to adult in a short time. This Polyphemus moth I’m holding goes from an egg to adult in two years because it must over winter in the cocoon stage. Pick your insect wisely and do some research before starting.

1. Research your insect for food, location, life cycle, timing, caring….

2. Find an egg or small caterpillar. You can buy on line or go to a local nursery that grows native milkweeds.

3. Collect. Prepare a place with good food in a super large jar or terrarium. Get directions off the web as to how to do this properly or you will kill your caterpillar.

4. Raise, change food often. Give a place to form a chrysalis.

Document: Take pictures every day. Be in the picture.

How to raise a caterpillar: • https://learning-

center.homesciencetools.com/article/raising-butterflies-science-project/

• https://www.saveourmonarchs.org/how-to-raise-monarch-butterflies-at-home.html

• http://www.raisingbutterflies.org/

Easy-Fun butterflies you can raise: Eastern Black Swallowtail Anise Swallowtail Giant Swallowtail The Monarch The Queen Red Admiral The Buckeye Painted Lady Red Spotted Purple Lorquin's Admiral Checkered White Cabbage White

Where to buy caterpillars and kits: • https://www.monarch-

butterfly.com/butterfly-kits-for-children.html

• https://www.insectlore.com/butterflies/butterfly-kits-with-live-caterpillars

• https://www.amazon.com/Live-Butterfly-Kit-Caterpillars-Now-Hanging/dp/B00B7PNHBG

Check out Amazon…they have it all!!!

Don’t like butterflies? Check out raising a praying mantis or mealworms. They are easy also: You can buy kits on Amazon or go to your local bait shop or biological supply house (your science teacher can help you)

Mealworms are super easy to raise…

Req. 10: Do ONE

of the following: a. Observe an ant colony in a formicarium (ant farm). Find the queen and worker ants. Explain to your counselor the different chambers found within an ant colony. b. Study a hive of bees. Remove the combs and find the queen. Estimate the amount of brood and count the number of queen cells. Explain how to determine the amount of honey in the hive.

Ant farms are fun to have. You will have to purchase one from a store or on line. Just collecting a few in your yard will not work. You need a queen. Check out on line to find one to buy. https://www.nature-gifts.com/shop/ant-farms/ https://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Milton-042499000154-Ant-Farm/dp/B0000632R8

P

If you chose to do the bees…it is time for a road trip to a local beekeeper. This will be a fun field trip. Find one in the yellow pages, maybe under honey for sale, or go to your local beekeeper website/organization and contact one. Prepare to be educated. This can be done in a single day.

Google: Beekeeping organizations near me and you will find where to go and who to contact. This would be a great outing for the entire troop!!

Check out your local zoo for a formicarium to observe. I know the Minnesota zoo has one with leaf cutter ants.

We had a colony of bees take up residence in the soffit of our house. So I had a beekeeping friend come over to remove and save the bees. We had a blast working with them. It was a small hive of about 5000 bees. Had to take part of the house apart.

First we captured the queen and moved her and the comb over to a capture box. We let it sit and all the bees swarmed over to the queen. We then closed the box and moved them out to the farm.

Me in a bee suit removing soffit.

Req. 12: Tell how

insects fit in the

food chains of

other insects, fish,

birds, and

mammals.

Learning about insects, their different stages of life and life cycles can make you a better fisherman especially if you tie your own flies for trout. Try it out and then get your Fly Fishing Merit Badge.

Food chains, webs and pyramids show how energy and mass are passed through a system. Producer Herbivore Carnivore Scavenger Detritivores/Decomposers Food chains are nature’s giant recycling program. Mass can not be made or destroyed so it is just passed along. Nature takes the raw elements and continually mixes and matches them to make new products. So in this way, green grass can become animal protein. Energy is different. The primary source of energy of all living things is the sun. Energy can not be recycled. As the energy moves through the food chain, part of it is lost to the environment and not passed on. So in this way a plant passes on only about 10-15% of it energy to the herbivore that eats it and the carnivore only gets 10-15% from the herbivore meaning it actually only gets 1% of the original energy.

Make a couple of food chains to explain your requirement. Remember, insects (depending on the species) can be herbivores, carnivores and scavengers, so make three different food chains. In the mean time, I have more flies to make for my fishing trip tomorrow. Let me know when you are done.

“ALL THINGS, LIVING AND NON-LIVING ARE INTERCONNECTED.” FOOD CHAINS AND FOOD WEBS ENERGY AND MASS TRANSFER

Carnivore (Omnivore, Scavenger)

Herbivore

Producer

Decomposer

Soil

Sun Food webs work better than food chains to show all the relationships organisms have with each other. You should have learned how to make one in school, but if you have forgotten how, try this website: https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/food-web-concept-and-applications-84077181

Fill me in

Talking about food webs made me hungry. Sandwiches anyone?

Req. 11: Tell the things that make

social insects different from

solitary insects

When we think of social insects we generally think of bees, ants and termites. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of living socially? Check out these websites for some answers: https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-social-insects-1968157 https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.cornell.edu/dist/7/3643/files/2013/09/Social-Insects-I-26beuxe.pdf

Interesting facts: Social insects are among the most dominant and prolific of all organisms on earth. In South America, leafcutter ants (Atta spp.) consume more foliage than mammalian herbivores; in the southwestern United States, more seeds are collected and eaten by harvester ants than by all other forms of life; in some tropical habitats, the biomass of ants and termites exceeds that of all other animal species combined; in the African savanah, a single colony of driver ants may contain as many as 20 million workers; in Japan, a supercolony of Formica yessensis with 45,000 interconnecting nests contained more than a million queens and 306 million workers within an area of 2.7 square kilometers.

Flying ants

Termite mound

Not all bees are social. Many live solitary lives. Only about 2% of the 3,500 species of bees in the United States are honey/bumble bees. The other 98% are mostly solitary bees. Do you want to help some of them? Check out how I made a bee house below. This is a good project for your troop. Save the Bees!!!

https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-your-own-little-Bee-Houses/ https://www.foxleas.com/make-a-bee-hotel.asp https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/Young/Build-a-Bee-House https://www.pinterest.com/pin/495255290245247878/?lp=true

With drill bits of various sizes (5/16th of an inch works best for Mason bees) simply take some scrap lumber and drill holes 3 to 5 inches deep but not all the way through the wood block. For example, get a 4 inch by 4 inch piece of wood and drill holes that are 3 and 1/2 inches deep.

You can also use paper straws and bamboo. https://honeybeesuite.com/paper-straws-for-native-bee/

Req. 13: Find out

about three career

opportunities in

insect study. Pick

one and find out

about the

education,

training, and

experience

required for this

profession.

Discuss this with

your counselor,

and explain why

this profession

might interest you.

Pest exterminator Mosquito control

Insect curator in a museum Beekeeper

Agricultural pest management Pest management specialist

ENTOMOLOGIST….CAREERS • Entomology is the study of insects and their relationship to humans,

the environment, and other organisms. Entomologists make great contributions to such diverse fields as agriculture, chemistry, biology, human/animal health, molecular science, criminology, and forensics. The study of insects serves as the basis for developments in biological and chemical pest control, food and fiber production and storage, pharmaceuticals epidemiology, biological diversity, and a variety of other fields of science.

• Professional entomologists contribute to the betterment of humankind by detecting the role of insects in the spread of disease and discovering ways of protecting food and fiber crops, and livestock from being damaged. They study the way beneficial insects contribute to the well being of humans, animals, and plants. Amateur entomologists are interested in insects because of the beauty and diversity of these creatures.

• What careers are available in Entomology? • Career opportunities for our graduates include: federal

government agencies (EPA, USDA, APHIS); state departments of agriculture and ecology, state agricultural research stations, university extension service, agrichemical company field representatives, research, and sales; agricultural consulting firms; private agribusiness firms; timber and seed production companies; international development agencies. IPM majors with an urban option have career opportunities as: pest control operators; parkland and golf course pest management specialists; mosquito abatement districts; weed control districts; food processing industry; ornamental plant protection; public health service; industrial pest control consultant; and with the armed forces.

Q. When is a baseball player like a spider? A. When he catches a fly! ———- Q: Why wouldn’t they let the butterfly into the dance? A: Because it was a mothball. ———- A man had a pet centipede. He said, “centipede, go get the paper and make it snappy!” A half an hour later the man went outside and said, “I thought I told you to get the paper a half an hour ago!” “Well, I had to put on my shoes,” said the centipede. ———- Q: Who comes to a picnic but is never invited? A: Ants. ———- Q: What letter can hurt you if it gets too close? A: B (bee) ———- Q: Why did the fly never land on the computer? A: He was afriad of the world wide web. ———- Q: Why are A’s like flowers? A: Because bee’s come after them! ———- Q: What do you call a snail on a ship? A: A snailor! ———- Q: What do you call a fly without wings? A: A walk. ———- A man was looking out his window when he noticed that there was a snail on one of his plants. So he took the snail and threw him as far as he could. Ten years later the old man heard a tap tap tap on his window, and when he looked up he saw a very cross snail who looked at him and said, “Hey, what did you do that for?” ———- Q: What is totaly funny and makes dogs itch? A: The Flea Stooges! ———- Q: What do you call a rabbit with beetles all over it? A: Bugs Bunny. ———-

We can all use a laugh now that we are done with the merit badge. Like me falling off this log while swatting a mosquito. Enjoy

Q: What is on the ground and also a hundred feet in the air? A: A centipede on its back! (Sorry…centipedes aren’t insects, but I still like the joke)

Q: Why was the ant so confused? A: Because all his uncles were “ants”! ———- Q: What creature is smarter than a talking parrot? A: A spelling bee! ———- Q: What is the strongest animal? A: A snail because it carries it’s home. ———- Q: What do frogs order when they go to a restaurant? A: French Flies. ———- Q: What goes 99 thump,99 thump,99 thump? A: A centipede with a wooden leg. ———- Q: When did the fly fly? A: When the spider spied her! ———- Q: What’s worse than a worm in your apple? A: Half a worm. ———- Q: What kind of fly has a frog in its throat? A: A hoarse fly! ———- Q: What do you call two ants that run away to get married? A: Ant-elopes! ———- Q: What did the dog say to the flea? A: Stop bugging me!

Q: How do bees brush their hair? A: With a honey comb! Q: "Waiter, what's this fly doing in my soup?" A: "I think it's doing the backstroke!" Q: How do bees get to school? A: On the school buzz! Q: Did you hear about the two bed bugs who met in the mattress? A: They got married in the spring Q: How do fireflies start a race? A: Ready, Set, Glow! Q: Where do most ants live? A: In Antlantic City! Q: When do spiders go on their honeymoon? A: After their 'webbing' day! Q: How do fleas travel? A: They itch-hike!

Congratulations on finishing your Insect Merit Badge. Now work on your Eagle Badge.

Great job. Now go out there and help other scouts earn their Insect Merit Badge. And quit killing ants and wasps. It could be one of us!!

Hi…I’m Jared’s dog. Congratulations on finishing your merit badge!! For other merit badge help, go to: meritbadgehelpbsa.sirjames.info