Discover what a pest is and how to identify one with a lesson that looks closely at our outside world and taxonomy. Scholars investigate insects and plants to practice their identification skills, take a survey, and explore the...

Find out the characteristics that makes a bug an insect with a workbook designed to inform scholars about the crawly creatures that live around us. Scholars complete an ant-themed word search, answer questions using a solution key,...

Become a pest detective! Individually or in small groups, scholars scout the land to discover which pests—plant and animal—inhabit it, determine whether the pests are endangering the environment, and summarize their findings.

Go on a weed hunt! Scholars gain insight into the characteristics of plants and examine the outdoor environment in order to identify five different types of weeds. Learners then show what they know with a one-page reflection.

Historically, Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis has been difficult for many readers to grasp. From the difficult translation issues to the complex plot and themes, the novel's message and story can be lost when learners...

A thorough site that provides a description of the characteristics of insects and then focuses on the insects of southeastern Michigan. Pictures, classification groupings, and sound clips of insects are included.

A very thorough look at the world of insects. This site examines the 32 orders of insects and gives a complete explanation of the characteristics of each order. Text is supplemented with pictures.

Learn all about assassin bugs with this interesting fact page and pictures.

Detailed information about bed bugs: how to identify them, treating and preventing infestations, physical features, life cycle, and misconceptions about bed bugs. Includes links to additional resources. (Published: December 13, 2010)

Teachers can download this teaching package that discusses insects and insect adaptations. Students will enjoy the hands-on activities described in the lessons. Teachers will appreciate the student handouts provided, as well as the list...

Museum site invites users to learn more about this tiny creature by providing them with information on what ants look like, where they are normally found and much more.

Museum site features the Cicada. Provides a comprehensive physical description as well as information as to where they are found and what they do.

This black, shield-shaped bug is brightly colored with orange, red, and yellow markings. It varies from 7 to 10 mm in length. At rest, the front pair of wings overlap and the insect's back appears to be marked with a distinct "X."

There are 23,000 species of spittle bugs, but you may not have ever seen one because of the unusual way that they protect themselves. They actually produce a liquid that they whip up into a mass of bubbles, and then they hide in it! This...

This bug is about 1/2 inch long and 1/3 as wide. It is black with three red lines on the thorax, a red line along each side, and a red line on each wing. The wings lie flat on the back when at rest. The young nymphs are red and gray. The...

Adults are 9/16 to 10/16 inch long, black, and colorfully marked with reddish-orange on the head, sides of the pronotum (part of the thorax), and the wing covers. They have a Y-shaped head marking and two wide crossing orange bands...

Glossary of terms commonly used to describe bugs, their habitat, and their life cycle.

Pillbugs may look like insects, but they're really crustaceans. This article describes them and their habitat, and describes what to do if they become a nuisance in the home.

Peter Tyson explains the reasons he finds amber fossils so interesting. Read his descriptions and catch his passion for these fossils.

Several of the common species of stinkbugs found in the United States are the southern green stinkbug, the green stinkbug, and the brown stinkbug. The green stinkbug is similar to the southern green stinkbug shown in the photo. At times...

A scholarly article which discusses the effects that arthropods have had on human beings over the years, from being a food source to a carrier of many human diseases.

Flies are almost always known as pests, especially the types called gnats that bite! These information sheets provide descriptions of several types of flies as well as life cycles and ways to reduce these annoying bugs.

A fact sheet on fleas from the Ohio State University Extension lists scientific names, identifying characteristics, and pictures.

The adult green June beetle (family Scarabaeidae) is usually 3/4" to 1" long, and 1/2" wide. The top side is forest green, with or without lengthwise tan stripes on the wings. The underside is metallic bright green or gold, and has legs...