How to Start a Cool and Useful Bug Journal

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By AlohaVikki
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Do you know much about these neighbors living right in your own back yard or even in your home? Can you name them? Do you know if they're good or bad? Are you curious about the bugs in your garden? Have you ever seen one crawling across your tomato and wondered whether you should squish it or let it go free?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Camera
3 Ring binder and plastic pockets.

Step 1

Grab your camera and try to photograph as many bugs as you can find. This may have to be done over a period of several days, weeks or longer because there may be a bug here one day and a bug there the next. Here a bug, there a bug...
Step 2

Turning the soil over in the spring tends to reveal some creepy crawlies. Often we find bugs while gardening. Sometimes the kids find an interesting bug while playing. Keep the camera always ready for unexpected discoveries.
Step 3

When you find one, do a search to find out exactly what type of bug or insect it is and then do a more specific search on that particular bug. I have listed a few websites below to help with bug/insect identification in the resource section. (You could also buy an insect/bug field guide for your area. You might want to shop around to compare the prices of new and used ones.)
Step 4

Upload your pictures and write a narrative next to the picture of your bug using your print program. Include cool and useful information such as if its beneficial or destructive to home and garden, how to get rid of it or how to encourage it to hang around and multiply, if the bug is edible or not, and any other helpful or interesting information you discover.
Step 5

Print out and slip your bug sheets into the clear plastic pockets of your 3 ring binder and enjoy your educational bug collection!