Insects have a way of capturing children’s attention, and thanks to a new publication by Iowa State University Extension, children and adults can become experts at identifying and collecting some of Iowa’s many insects.

The publication “Be a Bug Catcher: Learn to Collect, Identify, and Preserve Insects,” offers bug enthusiasts of all ages a practical, easy-to-follow booklet that can be taken into the field, or downloaded and printed. It includes nine chapters, covering topics like the importance of insects, insect biology and anatomy, supplies and techniques, preserving insects, and a list of useful insect terminology and references.

Co-authors Erin Hodgson and Adam Sisson say the goal was to produce a useful, practical guide that uses a limited amount of jargon, but still provides a scientific, technical foundation for the bug collector. Hodgson is an associate professor and ISU Extension entomologist, and Sisson is an Extension specialist for ISU’s Integrated Pest Management Program.

Help with identification

Collecting insects is a simple way to enjoy nature and learn about the life going on beneath our feet and in the air, Hodgson says. “Insect collecting is a skill to learn that you can apply to other interests and sciences. Every time you go out, you find something different. There are always insects around.”

The publication also helps youth to see insects as more than just pests and to appreciate the importance of insect biodiversity. “Insect identification gives us a unique vision into the diversity of our ecosystem,” Sisson says. “There’s a whole world of life going on beneath our very eyes.”

The guide is available through the ISU Extension Store. Spiral-bound hard copies cost $5, and the guide can be downloaded for $2.50. More information for bug collectors is available on the ISU Department of Entomology Insect Zoo, including upcoming school programs. The ISU Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic also provides useful resources for identification, including photos.

Source: ISU, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.