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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Studying insects

You can learn a lot about insects from reference books, but if you really want to understand their world then you have to experience them at first hand. There is no substitute for patient observation: if you want to know exactly how a spider spins its web, it is best simply to sit and watch. Insects are endlessly fascinating, so take the time to observe their busy lives.

What you will need

It is not necessary to invest in expensive equipment to study insects. Various sons of collecting net are easy to make (see facing page). Below are a few other items that you will need, or are simply useful: Hand lens (x 10 magnification) and low-power lens, for viewing at close range. ~ Camera, sketch book, and note book, to record your observations. -Measuring tape and a stop watch, for determining running or flying speeds. ~ Sieve, for sifting leaf-litter. ~ Pooter (see facing page), also known as an aspirator, essential for collecting small insects without harming them. ~ Pond net, a pair of wellingtons, and a few plastic containers for viewing aquatic species.

Identifying insects

Identifying an insect fo the level of order is fairly straigtforward with a little practice. However to identify the species is considerably more difficult. While some insects are very distinctive, many bear an extremely close resemblance to other species, and are distinguishable only hit minute characteristics that can be observed using a hand lens.

Sketching insects

Drawiug is an excellent way to record what you see, and you will also learn a great deal from close observation. Remember to record details in the book of when and where you found the insect.

How to collect insects

Since most insects are mobile, collecting them involves intercepting them with hand nets, sweep nets, pond nets. 01 pouters as they fly, swim, or crawl. Trappuig insects by attracting them to some kind of bait is also a good technique. In tropical regions, rotting fruit will attract many insects including butterflies, and animal dung will draw hundreds of beetles. Wherever you are, a piece of rotting fish in a plastic bottle will collect flies and some parasitic wasps. If you want to discover how abundant a species is in a specific area compared to another site, it is important to carry out identical tests in each area for an accurate comparison.
Eor example, make sure you cover the same surface area, use the same number of pitfall traps, or sieve the same volume of leaf-litter. Remember to wash your hands after field work.

Using a pooter

With a pooteryou can collect small insects from a beating tray by sucking them up a tube and into a container

Beating tray

A white tray or cloth placed under a tree is a good way to catch insects: shake the branch to dislodge leaf-inhabiting species.

Butterfly net

These nets should be made of fine mesh and may be used to catch airy flying insects. This one has an extendible handle.

Pitfall trap

To catch ground-running insects and other arthropods, sink a plastif cup into the ground with its top flush with the surface.

Attracting insects to your garden

A garden with overgrown patches will attract considerably more forms of wildlife Ban onr that is highly manicured. Variety is another important feature of a good wildlife garden: a wide range of habitats and microhabitats will attract a diverse fauna of insects and other animals.

Never use pesticides in the garden. When tidying the garden, try not to clear too much away that could be appealing to insects. Leave wood to decay naturally, and make a compost heap with vegetable waste from your kitchen and garden. A huge number of species live in decaying plant matter, and your garden vrill benefit from compost you produce. Nectar-rich flowers such as lavender attract butterflies, noths, hover flies, and bees.

Create a wildlife area

A pond surrounded  plants is ideal for luring wildlife to the garden, and provides a home and shelter for a great range of arthropods. Dig as pond as large as you can: aquatic insects will colonize it immediately.