Outdoor Amy's

Lady Beetle Journal (Ladybugs)

Week 1 Observations

Arrival

We have ten (10) lady bug larvae.
We will observe them each day using the "I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of..." (INIWIRMO) routine.

INIWIRMO Ladybugs

Observations

Outdoor Amy used her senses and INIWIRMO to collect observations and other data in her science journal.
Try using INIWIRMO.

Larvae Eating

We observed the lady bug larva moving its mouth parts ! We wonder if it is eating?

Observation Day 1

We noticed some changes in their body shapes! What can you notice and wonder from this video?

Day 2-Breakfast?

We noticed the larvae were all in the same place this morning! We wonder why?

What observations can you make about the lady bug larvae using these pictures?

Link to National Geographic KIDS for lady bugs.

Lady Beetle Facts

We found some cool information about Lady Bugs from National Geographic. Did you know they are mostly carnivorous??

GET OUTSIDE!!

Discover lady beetles in your own yard! And how to collect and photograph them.

Week 2 Observations

Week 2 Day 1 Observation

What do you notice/wonder about the lady beetle larvae?
What do they, or their activity, remind you of?
How might you explain their changes or behaviors to your parents?

INIWIRMO Ladybugs

INIWIRMO Observations

I make an observation by starting a statement with, "I notice......"

I ask a question by starting a statement with, "I wonder...."

I make a connection by starting a statement with, "This reminds me of...."

Week 2 Day 3 Observation

What surprises you about the changes?

What is Happening?

We noticed some changes and watched it move. What do you notice/wonder about this change?

Week 2 Day 6 Observation

We noticed some different movements. How might you explain this? How can you move like this?

Insects are cool!

Check out this site to learn more insects and how to be an amateur entomologist (a scientist who studies insects!).

Get Outside & Observe!

Try out the iNaturalist app SEEK to observe, and learn about, lady beetles and other insects in your yard!

What observations can you make about the lady bug larvae using these pictures?

Week 3 Observations

Week 3 Day 1 Observation

What do you notice happening with our lady beetle larva? What do you wonder?

INIWIRMO Ladybugs

INIWIRMO Observations

We have lots of "wonders" or questions. What type of questions do you have?

Close-up of a ?

We noticed one Lady Beetle is different than the rest of them.

What stage of the lady beetle life cycle are we observing?
What can you find that is similar or different?
How might you explain that?

I was curious about my "I wonder" questions, so I did some research online and in a insect reference book. I discovered some new words, found some answers AND created new questions!

How is the Lady Beetle pupa or adult different or similar to a Lady Beetle larva?

Is this an Adult Lady Beetle?

What makes you think that? Discuss with a family member or classmate.

Close-Up

We notice this lady beetle is different than the rest in the habitat.

What observations can you make about the Lady Beetle pupa using these pictures?

Week 4 Observations

Lady Beetles Released

All Lady Beetles that matured into adults were released in Outdoor Amy's back yard. We observed their reaction to being set free. We attempted to release them on plants we knew would have their food source.
We noticed their movement increased. That reminded us of when we get to be on the playground after a long day in the classroom, and we FINALLY get to run and play!

What Kind of Lady Beetle is It?

We noticed this Lady Beetle is different than the popular "Seven-spotted Ladybird". How is it the same or different than this Lady Beetle? Describe the types of tools and resources you would use to identify this Lady Beetle.

We are using a loupe, to look closely at the Lady Beetle. A loupe is similar to a hand lens or magnifying glass.

Week 4 Field Observation

We explored the Outdoor Learning Center for Lady Beetles in the wild. Look what we found!

INIWIRMO Week 4 Ladybugs

INIWIRMO Observations

We practiced our observations while outside but the wind made it difficult for us to look closely! We observed Lady Beetles and other insects on a thistle.

Observation - Lady Beetle on Thistle

What questions do you have about Lady Beetles?