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Leaf Litter Critters

  • U.S. Department of the Interior
    National Park Service

SCOPE:

VOCABULARY AND DEFINITIONS:

LEARNER OBJECTIVES:

  1. recognize the diversity of soil insects in their school yard
  2. recognize the diversity in the way scientists study insects
  3. use an insect key to sort insects into groups by their scientific order

INSTRUCTOR TASK (overview):

The instructor will assist the students in monitoring the biodiversity of species in their school yard plot(s) (example: 10m x 10m). They will study the species richness or diversity (what species are here) and the species evenness or density (how common are those species).

All plants and animals are important to the ecosystem, and learning about the smallest of animals is as important as learning about the big animals like bears and deer. Why do you think this is the case? It is also important to look at the main tree species that surround the plot. Why do you think this is important? (Different species of insects and spiders need different amounts of shelter, different amounts/types of leaf litter, etc.)

INSTRUCTOR TASK (instruction):

The first step in inventorying insects and spiders is collecting. Show students the techniques they will use to collect insects.

Divide the students into groups, providing each group with a few insect aspirators, collection jars or bug boxes, magnifying glasses and one field sifter set (see “Make Your Own Field Sifter” below; aspirators available at Forestry Suppliers, Inc., Item # 53758, $9.75 ea., less if you buy in quantity). Instruct the students on how to collect the data and use the identification keys/field guides. Identification is the basis for classifying insects, learning about their distribution, their life history and their significance to the ecosystem. Release all insects after review.

STUDENT TASK:

Participate in insect collection, identification and data collection.

INSTRUCTOR TASK (closure):

Regroup the students and review the data collected. Explain that each group will need to pick a spokesperson to explain their role during the concluding activity.

Make Your Own Field Sifter (a.k.a. Shaker Box)

 MATERIALS:

  1. 2 Plastic shoe boxes with lids
  2. Wire mesh (1/4 inch hardware cloth)
  3. Hot glue
  4. Tin shears or wire cutters
  5. Sharp knife

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Place the plastic shoe box on top of the piece of wire mesh and mark on the mesh the perimeter of the container.
  2. Cut out the pattern on the wire mesh approximately ¼ inch smaller than the actual pattern marked on the wire so it will fit snugly in the bottom of the shoe box.
  3. Cut out the bottom of the shoe box leaving an inward lip of the bottom approx. ½ inch wide to attach and support the mesh on the inside of the box.
  4. Apply a generous amount of hot glue around the inside of the box bottom on top of the inner lip and on the edges of the wire mesh. Glue a section at a time and allow the glue to dry.
  5. Place shoe box with mesh bottom inside the other shoe box, fill with leaf litter, put lid on top and shake, shake, shake! Leaf litter critters will fall through the mesh into the bottom shoe box.
  6. Aspirators may be used to collect critters for study.