|
|
 
Just about every kid has caught
some sort of insect to study or just keep in a jar or bug
catcher for a while. Insects come in a variety of forms and
sizes, ranging from silkworms which turn into moths leaving
behind bright yellow cocoons to stick insects, crickets and
butterflies. Keeping insects is a good way to observe their
behaviour and life cycles. Observing
a caterpillar change through the pupal stage into the adult
stage is a fascinating lesson in nature during the childhood
years.
|
QUICK
FACTS: |
Life Span -
Often short lived depending on the type of
insect. Cicadas live to 17 years!!
Size -
Different sizes
Care - Fairly
low
maintenance
Food
- Depends on the insect, water
Housing - Bug
catcher, container depending again on the type
of insect
|
GENERAL
INFO:
 In
the United States, the most commonly kept insects as pets are
ants. Other types of insects are not so popular but in other
countries like Japan, they are very popular. Night-singing
crickets as household pets have been used in the Orient to
indicate the presence of intruders, because the crickets
suddenly stop singing when disturbed by other noise. Singing
crickets and katydids have been kept as pets widely through the
Far East and the Mediterranean Region for thousands of years.
The Japanese strongly accept insects as pets, and sell living
crickets and bamboo cages in markets. The advantages of having
insects as pets are that they are not difficult to find, don't
require great care except for feeding, and they can be kept in
relatively little space. If you
plan to keep insects, first find out whether they are suitable
for keeping in a container. Insects that fly or sting aren't
suitable for keeping.
A simple cage made from a
wood or wire frame with a fine, netting cover is a
suitable home for many plant-eating insects such
as bugs, beetles, caterpillars, and stick insects. Pet
shops also sell plastic 'terrariums' with handles and
air holes at the top. Make sure the container isn't
sealed tight as condensation and mould will form and a
problem.
If your insects' reproduces, take into consideration
how big they will be as they may be small enough to
escape the container. Don't use a cover like Gladwrap or
flimsy material as strong insects and those with
powerful mouthparts can force their way through.
Most insects need water which must be provided
regularly. To stop them from drowning, fill a
small container (like a jar lid) with cotton
wool or sponge that is kept wet so that insects
can walk on it and drink from it.
Leaves, twigs, flowers and branches must be
provided for food and for climbing on, hanging
from and sheltering in. Take note of where your
insect lives in the wild and copy the type of
foliage it uses to live in. Provide a selection
of different plants to find out which one your
insect prefers. The stems should be in a
container of water sealed with cotton wool or
paper to prevent insects from drowning.
Predatory insects (insects that eat other
insects) must be kept separately and fed insects
that are smaller than themselves.
|
SETTING UP THE
CONTAINER: |
Make sure your container has the following:
-
 adequate
space and air
- the correct temperature
- the food that the insect normally eats
- surroundings similar to those the insect
normally lives in (you may need to do some
research on its usual habitat)
- adequate moisture and light levels
(don't keep the insects in a room where the
lights stay on all night)
- enough shelter areas (leaves, rocks,
bark, soil) for the insects to hide in
- different types of food and habitat if
the insect is still growing or changing (for
example: leaves to eat as larvae, soil to
pupate in and room to emerge as an adult)
|
|
PRO & CONS: |
-
 You can't
really handle
insects so they are not an affectionate pet. -
Insects are fairly easy to care for and their containers are
small enough to be moved easily.
-
You need to keep your container clean and well stocked with
fresh water and food. If you want to keep insects, then make
sure you have the time to look after them at least every second
day.
- Insects can have young with no male present. Take care
when cleaning the container in case there are eggs that have
been laid.
- Don't confuse the insects droppings with the eggs. The
droppings are quite large, black cylinders that crumble when
dry, while the eggs are hard, oval and shiny, with a mottled
appearance.
|
|
|
|
