Insect study

Definition of Insects

"The word insect is often applied incorrectly to any minute animal; but the term should be restricted to those forms possessing six legs and belonging to the class Hexapoda. The name Hexapoda is from two Greek words: hex, six; and pous, foot. It refers to the fact that the members of this order differ from other arthropods in the possession of only six feet. Thus spiders, which have eight legs, are not insects." (Comstock, 1911, p. 295)

Materials

• Sketchbook
• Colour pencils
• 2B pencil
• Eraser
• Butterfly net (provided)
• Insect container. A clear plastic container. 

Topics
Each student will choose one insect. Short talk includes:
- information regarding the insect
- life cycle or changes in form
- how to identify the insect
- picture of the insect OR the actual insect

- scientific name, English & Malay name
Duration: 5 min


Select one insect for your talk; you may suggest others as well. Preferably insects that we can find in Malaysia.

• Beetles
• Cicadas
• Leaf hoppers
• Whiteflies
• Aphids 
• Scale insects
• Lantern bug
• Weevils
• Butterflies 
• Moths
• Bees
• Ants
• Wasps
• Flies 
• Crickets
• Grasshoppers 
• Katydids
• Cockroaches
• Praying Mantis 
• Leaf and Stick insects

Source: https://www.malaysia-wildlife-and-nature.com/insects-of-malaysia.html


Talk tips

• DO NOT READ from your piece of paper
• Jot down key points (e.g. colour, size) on a small palm-sized paper. Glance down at it quickly during your talk if it is needed.
• Prepare & practice daily in front of the mirror (or stuffed toys audience) for at least 1 week
• Make eye contact with your audience
• Don't do the jitterbug dance while talking
• Don't do the shinkansen (bullet train) talking speed
• Talk clearly so the audience can hear. 
• Be open to feedback 

Research materials 

How to draw an insect by John Muir Laws. Excellent. 

Insect Fact Files 

World of Insects 

Insect orders