Insect Ecology for Kids | Insects for kids | Insect Facts for kids | Ecosystems for kids | Ecosystem

What are you doing, Professor? Oh, hello there, Aaron. I'm studying the ecology of this butterfly. Would you care to take a look through my magnifying glass? That butterfly really is beautiful. But what is ecology? I've never heard of it. That's okay, Aaron. Insect ecology is the relationship between insects and their environment, and how they interact with each other. Ah, so you're studying that butterfly because it has landed on a leaf? Exactly. Why do you bother studying ecology, Professor? It seems a little boring. Not at all. Insects play one of the most important roles in their ecosystems. What do they do? Insects contribute a lot. They help turn the soil, loosen it, ventilate it, bury other animals' waste for fertilizer, help with pest control, and more importantly, are responsible for pollinating plants and providing important food for wildlife. That's a lot. It is. I'll give you an example. Look over there at that beetle. Yeah? Beetles are scavengers. They feed on dead animals and fallen trees. That sounds a little gross, Professor. It might sound like that, but it's super important. Beetles are nature's recyclers. They recycle biological materials into forms found useful by other organisms. That's very cool. My mum always makes me recycle. It's very good for the planet, Aaron. Beetles and other insects are responsible for much of the process by which topsoil is created. I didn't realise we had beetles to thank for that. Professor, how do insects like butterflies survive when they are so delicate? Insects are soft-bodied, fragile, and almost defenceless compared to other larger lifeforms. Studying ecology helps us determine what defence strategies they have in place to avoid being eaten. Yeah, but how do they defend themselves? Sorry, Aaron. I got distracted by the merits of ecology. To avoid being attacked, insects use things like camouflage, mimicry, toxicity, and active defence. Camouflage? Like the army wear? In lots of ways, yes. This protective colouration is an important defence strategy as it allows the insect to blend into the surrounding environment. Wait, is that leaf moving? Ah, those are weevils. Weevils? That's a peculiar name. Yes, they are a perfect example of insects using camouflage. Some weevils' camouflage makes them look like bird dung or other inedible objects. Yes, I don't think anyone would want to eat that. Yes, it's a clever tactic to make sure that weevils are not disturbed by predators. Is that a wasp? No, this is a longhorn beetle. What? It looks exactly like a wasp. Yes, this is an example of mimicry. Is that not when someone cries out? No, this is a defence that often uses colour or shape to deceive potential predators. So that's why it looks like a wasp. Yes, as it helps them avoid predation, even though the beetles are harmless. Do any other bugs use that type of defence? Why yes, the butterfly we were looking at. So, what's the deal with this butterfly? Believe it or not, there are two different butterflies. What? Yes, this one here is a Viceroy butterfly and the other one beside it is a Monarch butterfly. Why do they look the same? Butterflies are pretty delicate. I always imagined they'd be a target for any predator. Yes, but these butterflies are special. They use chemical defence as a means of deterring predators. I also don't understand what you mean by chemical defence. A chemical defence is, in this case, where the insects are inedible due to their toxicity. Predators that eat poisonous butterflies may become sick and vomit violently. Through this they learn not to eat them. The Viceroy butterfly is mimicking the poisonous Monarch butterfly to avoid being eaten. That is super interesting. It is. These butterflies also help with pollination. Yes, I know. That is when plants need to transport pollen to another place to reproduce. That's right, Aaron. Most flowering plants require an animal to do the transportation. While other animals are included as pollinators, the majority of pollination is done by insects. So it's good for the insects, right? I once saw a bee asleep in a flower. It is. Insects receive benefit for pollination in the form of energy-rich nectar. So this is a perfect example of mutualism where both parties benefit. It is incredible to think that insects have such an impact on the environment. It is really incredible. Some even keep on top of other insects. What do you mean? Well, for example, there is an insect known as the peristoid wasp. What are they? They are known as entomorphagous parasites. It is an organism that lives in close association with its host and at the host's expense and which sooner or later kills it. What makes the peristoid wasp so special? Well, farmers like it because they destroy pests that can destroy crops and other resources. A biological pest control, if you will. That's epic. I have loved learning about insect ecology. Would you like to do a quiz to see how much you've learned? Yes, please. Let's have a go then. Question 1. What is the name of the relationship between an insect and its environment and the interaction between them? A. Ecology B. Sociology or C. Neurology Well done! It's A. Ecology. Question 2. Chemical defense is where insects are inedible due to their what? A. Smell B. Toxicity or C. Shape Brilliant! It's B. Toxicity. Question 3. Plants need to transport pollen to another place to reproduce. What is this process called? A. Watering B. Planting or C. Pollination Excellent work! It's C. Pollination. Full marks on your quiz, Aaron. That's very impressive. I think we should continue studies back at the lab. Goodbye, everyone. See you soon!