az grown science SARI ON SCIENCE
BUG OUT! By Sari Custer
YOU MAY HAVE heard the headlines: Cicadas are coming out to greet many states in the Midwest
• Optional: magnifying glass, nature journal and drawing materials (colored pencils, crayons, etc.)
and on the East Coast. Billions of these red-eyed
should attract plenty of bugs. There are hundreds of species of insects and arachnids in Arizona, so have fun finding out what shows up in your backyard!
insects known as Brood X are digging their way out
Challenge
Does anything change if you leave the light up
of the ground and flocking to trees after 17 years in
1. Find a large, open spot on a wall or tree.
longer? Would there be different bugs at a different
the soil. We may not have many cicadas in Arizona
2. Tape the bed sheet or butcher paper to the wall
time of day? Would there be different bugs in a
this year, but there are plenty of arachnids, bugs and other insects waiting to be discovered.
or tree so that it hangs down vertically. 3. Set up flashlights so they are pointing toward the sheet or paper.
Did you know? We use the term “bug” to describe all different types of creatures that crawl or fly — from spiders to gnats, beetles to butterflies — but there are
different season? How do you think the location that you picked impacted the variety and number of bugs that you found?
4. Turn on flashlights and leave them on for at least 30 minutes (longer is better). This step is best done right at or after sunset. 5. Come back and look at the different bugs on
Want to learn more? Come check out the new exhibit The Art and Science of Arachnids at Arizona Science Center
specific differences. All are arthropods, with their
your sheet or paper using the magnifying glass
featuring spiders, scorpions and more! See 100
skeletons on the outside, called an exoskeleton,
or just your eyes.
live arachnids — one of the largest collections in
and segmented bodies. Insects have six legs,
6. How many bugs did you find? How many
North America — and learn about everything from
three body segments (head, thorax and abdomen),
different types of insects or arachnids did you
arachnids in film and literature to how they’re used
and sometimes wings, while arachnids have eight
find?
in medicine and even food.
legs, two body segments and no wings. Bugs are actually what scientists call specific insects like
7. Try sketching all the different types of bugs you found, then look them up and identify them.
aphids, cicadas and bed bugs, which have nonretractable mouth parts that can suck liquid. Have you ever wondered how many different
While there, check out POP! The Science of Bubbles in a hands-on play space featuring a massive bubble drop every 15-20 minutes. Learn
What’s happening? Flashlights attract insects. There are a few
the science behind what makes bubbles possible, exploring concepts of elasticity, surface tension,
bugs live right in your backyard? Try this activity to
different theories as to why some insects are
evaporation and geometry. General admission is
witness just how much biodiversity you have right
attracted to artificial light. Some scientists believe
$19.95; $14.95 for ages 3-17 and free for children
at home!
it’s because many insects use natural light sources
under age 3. azscience.org
like the moon and stars to navigate. Some believe Supplies
the light emits some ultraviolet light, signaling
• One large white bed sheet or piece of butcher
flowers or food. And some think a bright light just
paper • Two flashlights • Tape
12 June 2021 RaisingARIZONAKids.com
means a clear, unobstructed path to move or fly in, basically just confusing the bugs. Whatever the reason behind it, this method
Sari Custer is a lifelong science junkie, Chief of Science and Curiosity Officer at Arizona Science Center, and mom to daughter Carson (6). Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ SariOnScience.
