Somecommoninsects thathave allofthe above characteristicsare the
housefly, fruit fly,prayingmantis, beetle, lady bug, bee, dragon-fly and the
mosquito.
As you know, many insects (bees, butterflies and moths) are useful to
man because they help pollinateflowers. Others, like the silk worm moth,
producesilk. Ofcourse bees furnish us with honey.
On theotherhand,some insects areharmfulto man. Grasshoppersand
locusts destroy grain andothercrops. The tussock, gypsy andleopardmoths
destroy our shade trees.
Termites cause a great deal of damage by eatingthroughwooden buildings.
Carpetbeetles and clothesmothsare well known pests. Fleas, lice, flies and
mosquitoescarry disease-producinggerms. Ofcourse, insects such as mos-
quitoes,wasps, bees and gnats are nuisances becauseoftheir stings and bites.
WATCHING ACATERPILLAR BECOME A MOTH OR BUTTERFLY
Materials:Ajarcontainingleaf-bearingtwigs and fresh grass,preferably
still growing in sod, a square of cheesecloth, arubberbandorshortlength
ofstring.
Follow this procedure:Catcha caterpi!larand place it in thejarfilled with
fresh twigs and grass. Cover thejarwith cheesecloth secured with a string
or a rubber band. Keep thejarat room temperature. Replace the twigs
while thecaterpillaris still active.
You will observe:Thecaterpillarwill eat the grass and the leaves on the
twig.
Aftera while, it willattachitself to the twig and if it is thecaterpillarof
a moth,it will spin acocoonofwhite silkthreadsarounditself. Ifit is the
caterpillarofa butterfly, it will cover itself with ahardgreen orbrowncase
called achrysalis.