I am super into podcasts right now and my favorite is called "Sidedoor," from the Smithsonian Institute.
This week's was all about Monarch butterflies and since we've been focusing on adaptations, pollination, and the "essential workers" who help our garden, I thought it would be good to do an introduction to bugs.
Butterflies are definitely essential to our garden. And again, if you eat, then you are depending on insects like butterflies and bees to make your food, too.
You can listen to the podcast here: The People's Insect
Okay, side note on Sidedoor over!
...What's an insect?
Be careful not to confuse our insect friends with our spider friends!
The critter on the left, the green one, is an insect.
It has 6 legs, antennae, 3 body parts, and wings.
The critter on the right is a black widow spider.
*Spiders have 8 legs, no antennae, 2 body parts, and no wings.
*Sure, I wouldn't want a black widow in my house, but I accept that they are important parts of the ecosystem and they can live safely outside!
*I respect the partnership we share with our invertebrate brothers and sisters.
*Actually, I have a house spider living in the corner of my apartment! We have a mutual arrangement...you eat the bugs and stay up there, it's all good.
Insects are amazing and whether or not they are cute, scary, colorful, or a boring old ant, they all deserve to live:
What insects have you seen lately?
Someone who studies insects is called an Entomologist.
...on Friday we'll do some insect activities that you can do with anyone, anywhere!
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