HOW TO KNOW THE INSECTS 



somewhat better known because of the great economic Importance of 

 Its nimibers. A few of the orders are small and only a few 

 species are known but they are so different from the other groups 

 that they must be considered separately. 



The Insects seem to be the world's most successful form of 

 life and many of man's most serious problems relate to his com- 

 petition with them. We sometimes complain of a 2% sales tax, but 

 farmers, gardeners and others are paying at least 10^ all the 

 while to the Insects, and getting nothing In return for It. Every 

 species Is Interesting In Its ways and many are so beautiful that 

 their collection and study cannot be beaten for fascinating, 

 wholesome recreation. 



We have attempted to make this book simple enough that the 

 untrained nature lover, youth or adult, can handle It, and at the 

 same time make it sufficiently reliable to be used in serious 

 entomological work. It is hoped that it will serve to create a 

 more intelligent interest in insects in general. We recall our 

 attempts at collecting insects when a child, which were made 

 futile for want of knowing a few simple things. It is some of 

 these things we needed to know that have been Included here. 



SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS 



In teaching the use of keys, such plan as this has been found good. Require each 

 student to collect and identify specimens of as many different orders and families as 

 possible. Temporary name labels as here shown are 

 neatly lettered with ink and attached to the specimen 

 when it is named. (See Fig. 24 and page'30)o 



"XI-2" refers to the order Coleoptera and family 

 Carabidae. Likewise "XXIII-39" means order Diptera, 

 family Syrphidae. These numbers may be foimd in the 

 list of Orders and Families pp. 117-131. "det. Berger 



'37" shows which student made the determination and when it was made. We prefer to 

 make these temporary labels on colored paper as they may be later replaced with the 

 scientific name of the specimen if that is determined. If the family of each specimen, 

 when determined, is marked in the list of Orders and Families (p. 117) both teacher and 

 student can note at a glance how the student's work is progressing. 



We have found that some contest feature stimulates interest in this work of col- 

 lecting and determining insects. The building of a reference collection for the school 

 is a vjorthy project. Needed specimens may be taken from the students' collections and 

 some of the more interested students put in charge as Curators. 



A good microscope is very helpful for insect study. The lovj power binoculars are 

 best. Much can be done however without these aids. SimpJLe tripod magnifiers or hand 

 lenses selling for 75;^ or less are very useful in the laboratory or field. The ten 

 cent stores frequently have small reading glasses. Students will find them worth-while. 



Insect pictures on charts or cut from bulletins, which show good details may be 

 used to excellent advantage in class to supplement actual specimens and offers a good 

 method for teaching the use of keys. 



Carabiolcie 



XXIll-59 



