You’ll need

  • A large jar
  • A small paintbrush or stick
  • A piece of cloth large enough to cover the opening of the jar (a piece of kitchen cloth, a handkerchief or even paper towel can work)
  • Scissors
  • A rubber band
  • A magnifying glass (optional)

What to do

Warning!

Some insects can bite and sting, so don’t touch them directly. Ask an adult to help you identify dangerous insects.

  1. Get a large jar and cut a piece of cloth big enough to cover the opening with some overhang, so it can be held in place with a rubber band.
  2. Take your jar, cloth and rubber band outside, and search for some insects!
  3. Look under bark and in leaf litter.
  4. When you find an insect, collect some soil, sticks and leaves from where you found it and put them in the bottom of the jar.
  5. Add the insect to the jar. Lay the jar on the ground with the opening near the insect and gently push the insect into the jar using the paintbrush or a stick.
  6. Put the cloth over the jar opening and secure it with the rubber band.
  7. Put the jar on a flat surface and have a good look at the insect. Use a magnifying glass if you have one. Look at how it moves, and the different parts of its body.
  8. When you have finished looking at the insect, release it back where you found it.
  9. If you want to keep the insect for more than a few hours, put some damp cottonwool in the jar for water.

Questions to ask

How many legs does it have?

What do you think it eats?

Do you know the name of this insect?

What's happening

All insects need food and water to survive, but they eat different types of food, live in different places and move in different ways.

To keep the insect as a pet, find a book or look on the internet to find out what it is and what it needs for food, water and shelter. Some insects will not be suitable to keep as pets and will need to be released after you have studied them. All insects will need wet cottonwool or tissue, or a piece of carrot in the jar, for moisture.