How to Make Paper Hornets
If it is time to explore insect identification with your children, consider incorporating an art project into your science lesson. Making paper insects is easy and provides a fun, memorable way to teach children the differences of similar-looking insects. For example, people often misidentify hornets and yellowjackets. The University of Florida's website on insects reports that "the term "hornet" is used for species which nest above ground and the term "yellow jacket" for those which make subterranean nests."
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Things You'll Need
- 1 pack of colored construction paper
- Children's safety scissors
- Washable glue sticks
- Markers and crayons
- Gold glitter glue pens
- Wax paper
- Online photos of hornets
Instructions
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Search for online photos of hornets. The European Hornet makes a good model because it is large--females can be up to nearly 1 1/2 inches according to the University of Arkansas' Anthropod Museum website. Our hornets will be significantly larger because it easier for children to work with big pieces. Print colors images of hornets to make sure your choose the correct colored paper for the different body parts.
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Cut a circle out of brown construction paper. The circle should be about as big as your palm. This is the hornet's head.
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Cut an oval out of brown construciton paper. The oval should be about the same width as the circle but longer. This is part of the hornet's body.
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Cut another oval out of yellow construction paper. This oval can be the same size as the brown paper oval. Cut one end of the yellow oval into a more narrow tip. This is the hornet's lower body and stinger.
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Assemble hornet with glue. Glue the hornet's head to the body, and then glue the body to the stinger. You now have an ariel view of the hornet.
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Cut two narrow ovals out of wax paper. These are your wings. Use a gold glitter pen to make the wing's veins. Allow to dry and then glue one wing on each side of the hornet's body.
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Add markings with a black marker. The Univeristy of Arkansas' Anthropod Museum offers a clear and colorful photo of a European Hornet's markings.
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