Do NowDo Now

What is a living thing?What is a living thing?

Over the next several weeks we will be Over the next several weeks we will be engaging in biology investigations using engaging in biology investigations using living living ORGANISMSORGANISMS to explore some to explore some important ideas about life. important ideas about life.

An organism is “any living An organism is “any living thing”thing”

Life is diverse, that is, there are many Life is diverse, that is, there are many different kinds of organisms on Earth. One different kinds of organisms on Earth. One of the millions of different organisms on of the millions of different organisms on Earth is the milkweed bug.Earth is the milkweed bug.

Here is one milkweed bug. We will Here is one milkweed bug. We will observe the milkweed bugs for several observe the milkweed bugs for several weeks to see what we can find out about weeks to see what we can find out about life on Earth. life on Earth.

Rules for ObservationsRules for Observations1. Do NOT open the petri dishes. 1. Do NOT open the petri dishes. 2. Use hand lenses for observations only.2. Use hand lenses for observations only.3. The bugs are ALIVE – treat them with 3. The bugs are ALIVE – treat them with

the respect you give living things.the respect you give living things.4. Do NOT bang the petri dishes in any 4. Do NOT bang the petri dishes in any way!way!

5. Record what you see in your record 5. Record what you see in your record sheet. sheet.

ObservationsObservations Describe in detail the structures milkweed bugs Describe in detail the structures milkweed bugs

use to get from place to place.use to get from place to place.

Describe in detail how milkweed bugs get Describe in detail how milkweed bugs get information about their environment.information about their environment.

Describe the milkweed bug’s mouth.Describe the milkweed bug’s mouth.

Observation AnswersObservation Answers1. They use their 6 legs to get from one 1. They use their 6 legs to get from one

place to another.place to another.2. They use their antennae to sense and 2. They use their antennae to sense and

feel their environment.feel their environment.3. They use a proboscis to pierce into their 3. They use a proboscis to pierce into their

food and suck out the oils. food and suck out the oils.

Pattern 1 Pattern 2Pattern 1 Pattern 2

Back SideBack Side Belly SideBelly Side Back SideBack Side Belly SideBelly Side

In nature, organisms often live with others In nature, organisms often live with others of their kind. We could learn more about of their kind. We could learn more about milkweed bug interactions if we were able milkweed bug interactions if we were able to raise a lot of them. to raise a lot of them.

What would we need in order to raise a lot What would we need in order to raise a lot of milkweed bugs?of milkweed bugs?

One male, one female, a supportive One male, one female, a supportive environment that provides air, water, food, environment that provides air, water, food, and conditions suitable for lifeand conditions suitable for life

HabitatHabitat

A A habitathabitat is a place where an is a place where an organism lives. organism lives.

If a habitat provides all of the If a habitat provides all of the needs for the organisms, the needs for the organisms, the organisms will survive. If not, organisms will survive. If not, the organisms will die.the organisms will die.

What do organisms need to What do organisms need to survive?survive?

Air Air Water Water FoodFoodSpaceSpace

Male and Female Milkweed BugsMale and Female Milkweed Bugs

How can you tell the difference? Did your How can you tell the difference? Did your group have a male or female bug?group have a male or female bug?

Look at the belly side and observe the Look at the belly side and observe the markings. They will tell you the difference markings. They will tell you the difference between the male and female.between the male and female.

The third segment from the tip of the The third segment from the tip of the male’s abdomen is solid black on the male’s abdomen is solid black on the VENTRALVENTRAL (belly) side. The same segment (belly) side. The same segment on the female side has two large spots on the female side has two large spots with orange in the middle. Also, the female with orange in the middle. Also, the female is usually a little larger than the male. is usually a little larger than the male.

ReproductionReproductionWe know that nothing lives forever. For We know that nothing lives forever. For

milkweed bugs to continue on Earth, new milkweed bugs to continue on Earth, new ones must come into being all the time. ones must come into being all the time.

How do milkweed bugs reproduce their How do milkweed bugs reproduce their own kind?own kind?

In your habitat bags, you will get one male In your habitat bags, you will get one male and one female and be making and one female and be making observations to observe how milkweed observations to observe how milkweed bugs reproduce their own kind. bugs reproduce their own kind.

Read p. 3-5Read p. 3-51. Describe a milkweed bug. Include how 1. Describe a milkweed bug. Include how

they eat in description.they eat in description.Copy all vocabulary words into notebook Copy all vocabulary words into notebook

(the words are in bold)(the words are in bold)Proboscis, exoskeleton, nymphs, molting, Proboscis, exoskeleton, nymphs, molting,

instar, incomplete metamorphosis, instar, incomplete metamorphosis, clutchesclutches