6th Grade insect and leaf collections:
(The wing spread technique is demonstrated below)

Sixth Grade Insect or Leaf Collection  

          This year you will be doing an insect or leaf collection.  This collection has two purposes.  One, to show you the variety God has given us in creation, and two, to show you some of the organization of his creation.

          Each collection must contain 25 specimens; you may choose which collection you are going to do.  Extra specimens will be given extra credit at a rate of two correctly identified extra specimens will be worth one required specimen.  All species must be identified with the following information:                                   

            Common name
            Scientific name (also known as the Latin name)
            Place collected
            Date collected

          This information must be typed or neatly written, and placed directly below the specimen in an easily read format.  Examples:  

Monarch
         Danaus plexippus
         Our House
         9/8/00                 

                   Sugar Maple
                   Acer Saccharum
                   Hagar Park
                   9/8/00

          The specimens should be arranged alphabetically according to the Scientific (Latin) name.

 Specifics on the collections:
          Insect Collection:  Your insect collection should be neatly displayed in a box with a cover.  The insects should be pinned in rows, with the name below the specimen.  It is very important that a mothball be anchored in the box as well; this will prevent other bugs from eating your dead insects.  Rare or protected insects, such as Praying Mantis or Walking sticks, should not be killed and mounted.  These should be brought in alive, in a container, checked by me (or another adult), and released where they were caught.  For these insects in your collection you will only have a label.  You must show me these insects before you release them.  For butterflies and moths, try to mount the insects with their wings spread- I will demonstrate this technique for you below (see the pictures).  It is not required, but it brings out the beauty in these beautiful insects.

          Leaf Collection:  Your leaf collections should be displayed in a notebook on white typing paper- the leaves should be pressed and covered with contact paper, with the label directly beneath.  It is important that you present two specimens of each species- one showing the top side of the leaf, one showing the bottom side of the leaf.  Leaves should be collected in a catalog and dried; this is very important since when the leaves rot they will mold and discolor the paper.  After they have been dried, they can be taken out of the catalog and placed in the notebook at home. A good method for doing this is to put the leaf in a page, and on a separate sheet write the page number and the species name.  At home you can then mount the leaf properly and label it. 

          These collections are due in October (see the handout in the fall for the exact date, usually Wednesday of the second week) , however if you finish them early you may turn them in when you are done.  This gives you plenty of time to work on them, however keep in mind that as fall and cold weather approaches many of the insects and leaves will begin to disappear, so it is imperative that you begin as soon as possible.

          If you have any questions feel free to call me anytime- my number is 827-9464, leave a message if I am not home, or email me at clayl@altelco.net.   

      -Mr. Lubbers

Butterfly and Moth wing spread technique:

         First, kill the moth, butterfly, or insect.  Next, build a wing-spreader out of cardboard like the picture shows.  Basically it just allows you to spread the wings and keep them level.  After the insect is dead, pin it through the thorax, then use a pin to spread the wing out (see arrow 1 on the first two pictures).  After doing that, sometimes the wing lifts up.  If that happens, use a piece of paper and two pins to hold the wing down (se arrow 2 on the first 2 pictures).

Arrow 1                                                  

Arrow 2           

Arrow 1                                         

Arrow 2



If you wish, you can spread the wings and legs of other insects as well.  It makes them look very neat.  Here I have done it with two wasps and a Giant Water Bug.


As you can see, if you take the time to spread the wings and allow them to dry, you wind up with a very beautiful and professional looking display.

 

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