By: Mary Madden Education 140 Beetle Brigade By: Mary Madden Education 140

Beth the Beetle Here’s my drawing of what the Red Poplar Leaf Beetle looks like. Check out the next slide for an actual picture of one.

Red Poplar Leaf Beetle The Red Poplar Leaf Beetles have a length of 10 mm. They are easily mistaken for ladybugs, but they do not have spots. They are often found in poplar trees, but also have been found in the willows where the larvae feed. Their diet consists of both the poplar and willow leaves. Information found at: http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/nature/poplar_leaf_beetle Image found : http://www.david.element.ukgateway.net/beetles6_files/image012.jpg

Basic Beetle Information Beetles are a very diverse group of insects. They make up about 40% of all insects. Their species is estimated at five to eight million. They are known to almost all habits, except sea areas or polar regions. Beetles have a varying lifespan. Some live only for weeks; however others can live for years. These beetles can eat almost anything. There are few things in the environment which they will not eat. Beetles take part in a complete metamorphosis. The eggs hatch and the larvae come out. Then the beetle larvae pupate for a while, and then from the pupa emerges a fully formed beetle. Information found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beetle Image found : http://212.84.179.117/i/Red%20Poplar%20Leaf%20Beetle.jpg

Bugscope Image Here is an actual image of a beetle’s face. See the more detailed up close image of the face of a beetle. By using the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope, a person is able to see the tiny so-called hairs on its body. The face of the insect is very complex than what the human eye sees. Image found: http://bugscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/members/2006-004/data/presets/preset-6-640x480.jpg

National Science Education Standards “Students should develop an understanding about science and technology”. This standard can be addressed in this project in many ways. The Bugscope allows students to access technology through the electron microscopy. The students are able to control the microscope through the internet. The students are also able to take part in the dialogue with the people in the Bugscope project. NSES on the web http://nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/6c.html

Technologies involved with Bugscope This project helps to incorporate the following technologies: Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope Computer related skills Internet Word processing This is an authentic use of technology because it allows the students to further develop their understanding of insects. This microscope permits the students to see greater detail in the insects than able to see by the human eye alone.

Literature sources connected to Bugscope Breakout at the Bug Lab. Written by: Ruth Horowitz. Illustrated by: Joan Holub. Diary of a Spider. Written by: Doreen Cronin. Illustrated by: Harry Bliss. I Like Bugs. Written by: Margaret Wise Brown. Illustrated by: G. Brian Karas.

Applications of Bugscope to other curricular areas and activities Bugscope can used with connection with English because the students can write about their observations will looking at the images. This can be connected with Social Studies because the students will be able to investigate which bugs are found in which parts of the world. This will also incorporate geography because they will be able to look on maps and see where these countries are located.