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Tools of a Bugologist

Read BUGOLOGY: A Guide to Bug Discoveries Through the Seasons (available at the Garden Shop and at libraries) and learn to make many special bug projects.  Here is just a sample

INSECT NET 

You can create your own entomologist (insect scientist) equipment from items you might already have at home.  Have fun!

Materials:

• 3 feet long bamboo stick or piece of broom handle
• wire coat hanger
• strong tape
• strip of cotton cloth about 45 inches long and 3 inches wide
• fine netting fabric about 45 inches long and 24 inches wide
• large sewing needle, strong thread

This net will help you capture bugs that fly, as well as those that hop or crawl.

1.  Straighten the hook on the coat hanger and bend the rest to make a circle.

2.  Tape the straightened hook onto a pole by wrapping the tape around many times until secure.

3.  Measure the circumference of the circle with a measuring tape. 

4.  Cut a piece of netting the width of the circumference and about 2 feet long. 

5.  Sew the cloth strip along the top edge of the netting. This will keep it from tearing loose from the coat hanger. 

6.  Sew up the side seam of the net bag and then bend the cotton material over the coat hanger and sew it to itself.

BUG CAGE

Use this little cage to hold your bugs when you are on a bug safari. It lets you see them clearly.  Be sure to release them when you are finished.

Materials:

• 2 paper or plastic plates
• Piece of netting about 18 inches long and 30 inches wide
• Yarn or string for the handle
• Clothespin or clip
• Stapler

Staple the netting around the edges of the paper plates, overlapping the edges to make a little doorway for you to insert your bug visitors. Staple the yarn onto the top plate to make a handle. The clothespin or clip keeps the door closed so your bugs won’t escape.