CHAPTER XXIV 



INSECTS 



Insect study in the seventh and eighth grades should 

 be linked as closely as possible with the study of plants. 

 If the pupils have had no previous study of insects, then it 

 is better to begin with some of the large forms for the pur- 

 pose of getting acquainted with the characteristics common 

 to all insects. A grasshopper is a good type to study for 

 biting mouth parts; a squash or box-elder bug, for piercing 

 and sucking mouth. 



The plant life of any locality should determine largely 

 the special insects to be emphasized in these grades. In 

 a region where corn is the chief crop, the insect pests com- 

 mon to this plant should constitute the bulk of the work. 

 In a fruit-growing community the insects found on the 

 fruit trees and shrubs should receive most attention. 



Aphids. — Aphids or plant lice may be found on weeds, 

 golden glow, willows, rose bushes, cherry and plum stems, 

 cabbage leaves, wild lettuce, etc. They are small insects 

 which vary much in color. Some are almost black, some 

 red, some green. Have the children bring in some leaves 

 with aphids on them. Do all aphids on the plant look 

 alike ? You will probably find on one plant several stages 

 of the insect; some small ones without wings; some larger 

 with small pads; the beginning of wings on the sides; and 

 some that have quite large wings folded above the body. 



217 



