Bugscope! Looking at the typical Housefly. Deanne Anderson

House Fly: the basics Scientific name: Musca domestica Scientific name: Musca domestica Have gray body with black stripes along thorax. Have gray body with black stripes along thorax. Hairy legs with adhesive pads on feet Hairy legs with adhesive pads on feet Reddish-brown eyes Reddish-brown eyes Small: range from 1/8”- ¼” in length Small: range from 1/8”- ¼” in length

Where do they live? Live in or near houses and farms around the organic waste products of other living things. Live in or near houses and farms around the organic waste products of other living things. The average life span ranges from 26 days for females and 15 days for males (unless they get swatted at by people!) The average life span ranges from 26 days for females and 15 days for males (unless they get swatted at by people!)

The Housefly’s life cycle Females can lay up to around 500 eggs at a time. Females can lay up to around 500 eggs at a time. Eggs hatch in hours. Larvae reach full size in 5 days emerging as adults about 5 days later. Eggs hatch in hours. Larvae reach full size in 5 days emerging as adults about 5 days later. They are ready to mate within a few hours after emerging. They are ready to mate within a few hours after emerging.

Special features Their mouthparts are spongy for lapping up liquid food. Their mouthparts are spongy for lapping up liquid food. Adults suck liquids containing sweet or decaying substances. Solid food materials are liquefied by means of regurgitated saliva. Adults suck liquids containing sweet or decaying substances. Solid food materials are liquefied by means of regurgitated saliva. This liquefied food is then drawn up by the mouthparts and passed into the digestive tract This liquefied food is then drawn up by the mouthparts and passed into the digestive tract

Dangerous nuisance? Because of their attraction to decaying materials, filth and organic waste, house flies are known to spread several diseases including typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery, pinworm, hookworms, and some tapeworms. Because of their attraction to decaying materials, filth and organic waste, house flies are known to spread several diseases including typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery, pinworm, hookworms, and some tapeworms.

Getting a closer look at our friend You can see more with the hand lens than you can see with the naked eye. You can see more with the hand lens than you can see with the naked eye. The Dissection Scope gave a more detailed view which I could not properly illustrate in my hand drawing. I saw the hairs on the body and the color of the eye. The Dissection Scope gave a more detailed view which I could not properly illustrate in my hand drawing. I saw the hairs on the body and the color of the eye.

Getting even CLOSER With the ESEM, you are able to see the fly very close and in fine detail. Here we have the under body, eye facets and the claw on the end of the legs.

The Technology Environmental scanning election microscopy (ESEM) is the tool that lets us see the bugs very close with a lot of detail. Environmental scanning election microscopy (ESEM) is the tool that lets us see the bugs very close with a lot of detail. The microscope sends electrons down on the specimen and when they bounce back they create a 3-dimensional image. The microscope sends electrons down on the specimen and when they bounce back they create a 3-dimensional image.

Why use ESEM in the classroom?/Authenticity  Digital microscopes allow teachers to enhance a very important childhood learning strategy, that of systematic close-up observation. The digital microscope encourages interaction, cooperation, and problem solving, all important elements of exploratory learning. Research has shown that students using sophisticated technologies as everyday learning tools under the right conditions show growth in workplace skills, motivation, engagement, and self-esteem (WestEd, 2002).

Ways to use Bugscope. Creative writing exercise. Creative writing exercise. Learning about microscopes. Learning about microscopes. Parts/adaptations of insects. Parts/adaptations of insects. Learn about using remote technology. Learn about using remote technology. Art projects. Art projects. Connecting to real scientists/learning to investigate and ask questions. Connecting to real scientists/learning to investigate and ask questions.

Connecting to the NSES Ch.6 Grades 5-8 Content standard C Ch.6 Grades 5-8 Content standard C Life Science (Diversity and Adaptations of Organisms) Life Science (Diversity and Adaptations of Organisms) “Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations. Species acquire many of their unique characteristics through biological adaptation, which involves the selection of naturally occurring variations in populations. Biological adaptations include changes in structures, behaviors, or physiology that enhance survival and reproductive success in a particular environment.” “Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations. Species acquire many of their unique characteristics through biological adaptation, which involves the selection of naturally occurring variations in populations. Biological adaptations include changes in structures, behaviors, or physiology that enhance survival and reproductive success in a particular environment.”

Connecting to the NSES (cont.) When looking at insect specimens up close with the ESEM, students can see the variations and “biological adaptations” that are talked about in the standard. When looking at insect specimens up close with the ESEM, students can see the variations and “biological adaptations” that are talked about in the standard. When doing Bugscope, the class can have a discussion about why the insects have the certain parts they do and how do they help it survive in their environment. When doing Bugscope, the class can have a discussion about why the insects have the certain parts they do and how do they help it survive in their environment. For example, look at the same type of insect (like flies!) but different species of the insect. Compare each species’ adaptations for survival (like mouthparts, eyes and legs). For example, look at the same type of insect (like flies!) but different species of the insect. Compare each species’ adaptations for survival (like mouthparts, eyes and legs).

More info about bugs for kids! National Audubon Society First Field Guide: Insects. (Lots of info on every type of bug! Great reviews.) National Audubon Society First Field Guide: Insects. (Lots of info on every type of bug! Great reviews.) Insects: A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press (Great for younger learners.) Insects: A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press (Great for younger learners.) Eyewitness Insect (Kids love the Eyewitness series. They all have great colorful, realistic pictures.) Eyewitness Insect (Kids love the Eyewitness series. They all have great colorful, realistic pictures.)

Sources use_fly.htm use_fly.htm