Two girls out of focus behind an in-focus hand that's holding a stick bug

Entomology is an interest of yours if you’ve ever chased butterflies or caught ladybugs to get a closer look at them. You’ve been attracted to the largest group of organisms on earth – insects – and the 4-H entomology project may be just for you.

It may take three years to complete a level. You must complete a minimum of seven activities and five learning experiences each year to complete this project. 

 

Projects to learn

At level 1 of entomology, students will learn

  • iinsects
  • behavior
  • life history.
  • parts of insects
  • different ways of collecting insects
  • observe their behavior and differences
  • learn how insects communicate
  • how they see
  • about their habits
  • how to control them
  • how they move.

At level 2 of entomology, students will learn

  • to assemble proper collecting equipment
  • locate places where insects can be found
  • collecting insects at night
  • how to pin and label
  • how insects use color to communicate
  • to understand what insects eat
  • how they develop and grow
  • to build an extractor and a separator
  • how to read insect control labels
  • areers in entomology

At level 3 of entomology, students will learn

  • how to raise mealworms with different amounts of food
  • to observe a colony of ants
  • manipulate bee behavior
  • organize an insect club
  • make an identification key that others can use and explore how insects detect different odors
  • plant a butterfly garden
  • raise mosquitoes in a rearing chamber
  • find and prepare a spider’s web for display.

Independent study is for any youth looking for new challenges and opportunities in 4-H. This allows a member to explore topics that have not been investigated while remaining enrolled in a 4-H project. Members enrolling in the independent study phase of a project should

  • develop a detailed learning plan for their work
  • identify an area of interest within the project area
  • set goals and locate resources (people, publications, materials) to carry out a project plan
  • determine specific experiences needed to accomplish project goals,
  • set a realistic timeline for completion
  • carry out the project learning plan,
  • share experiences with others
  • evaluate outcomes and determine what could be improved.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

The individualized learning plan should be approved by a parent, 4-H adult volunteer leader or 4-H agent. For assistance in developing a personal learning contract, use Design Your Own project materials or other goal-setting materials. While independent study provides flexibility and creativity, it also requires serious planning, implementation and evaluation.

 

Materials you'll need

M You Decide, 5314

L Helping Them Decide, 5315

M Cut-out labels for insect collections, 2FM227

M Blank entomology labels, 2FM228

S Collecting, Mounting and Displaying Insects in 4-H, 5282

L Teaming with Insects Facilitator’s Guide, BU8443. This guide provides practical tips, 14 group activities and supplementary information. Youth compare the leaping abilities of humans and insects, rear and release monarch butterflies, explore how insects transmit disease, study insect behavior, learn insect words, participate in a night safari and develop an insect promotion campaign.

 

Non-Animal Record Books

A Project/Financial Journal is needed for each non-animal related project. Project journals need to contain the name of the project, the year these records were kept, and a leader/parent signature. All sections of the journal need to be completed. If nothing was done in an area or section of a record sheet, the word “none” or something similar should be written. 

Download record book sheet

 

Careers in Entomology

If you are wanting to explore careers in entomology, below are some of the potential routes you can take. 4-H members interested in going to college can also visit the 4-H foundation website for scholarships in their county or reservation.