CHAPTER XX 
PROJECTS AND QUESTIONS: INSECTS 
General Suggestions for Making Observations. — When 
you find an insect, try to learn such things as these: on what 
plants does it live? does it injure them? how — by eating 
the leaves or by sucking the sap? If it is a large biting in- 
sect, as the grasshopper, you may see that its mouth parts 
work side-wise instead of up and down as our jaws do. On 
the other class of insects you may see the sucking tube, — 
on moths and butterflies it is very long and when not in use 
it is rolled up like a watch spring under the mouth. 
Notice the color, size, and form of the animal; the wings 
of the adult, the number and the structure; if there are 
two pairs, how the front wings compare with the hind wings; 
notice the mode of flying, of running, or jumping. 
The life history: Where and when the eggs are laid; 
when the young appear; how they look; where they live 
and what they eat; try to see the molting process; if there 
is a distinct pupa stage, what is it like; when does the mature 
insect appear; what are its habits and how long does it live; 
how and in what stage does this species pass through the 
winter ? . 
1. An insect cage. — For systematic observation of insects and their 
habits it is almost necessary to have a suitable box or cage in which 
they can be confined. A chalk box with a glass cover will serve for a 
small number and for a short time, but something as big as a cracker 
box is needed for a home in which their life will be more nearly normal. 
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