Entomology**

State Fair Project - This project does advance to the State Fair

 Required Manual:

• Level 1—Teaming with Insects—4-Hers in grades 3, 4, & 5

• Level 2—What’s Bugging You? - 4-Hers in grades 6, 7, & 8

• Level 3—Dragons, Houses, & Other Flies—4-Hers grades 9 & above

State Fair Entries

3 Collection Exhibits per county, one per level 

3 Educational Exhibits per county, one per level

REFERENCES

• “How to Make an Awesome Insect Collection—ID 401

• “How to Study, Collect Preserve and Identify Insects—4-H 764

Exhibit Rules

1. The 4-Her must complete three activities from the entomology manual before the fair. Different activities must be completed each year. This manual MUST be turned in with the entomology project.

2. A county name label must go in the lower right corner of the display box or the educational poster. On the display box it can go on the glass/Plexiglas or on the floor of the box.

3. Educational boxes are different each year for members in grades 9–12. Themes are assigned for each year.

4. Members may choose to do one, two, or all three of the following: a collection, an educational poster, a Project Interact.

5. Youth must collect and mount insects personally collected in the U.S. only.

EXHIBIT GUIDELINES

Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used, with parent permission, when creating this exhibit and is to be documented as a reference. A majority of the work to create this exhibit is to be the 4-H member’s original work. All posters, notebooks, and display boards must include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H member’s exhibit. This reference list should/might include web site links, people and professionals interviewed, books, magazines, etc. It is recommended this reference list be attached to the back of a poster or display board, be the last page of a notebook, or included as part of the display visible to the public. A judge is not to discredit an exhibit for the way references are listed.

Posters are to be 22”x28” and displayed horizontally and placed in a clear plastic sleeve or covered with clear plastic to protect contents. The poster must be mounted on a firm backing to add stiffness to the exhibit, for example: a foam core board. Display boards should be designed to sit on a table using no more than 36” of tabletop space. Space should be left in the lower right-hand corner to place an exhibit tag provided by Purdue Extension staff.

Judges evaluating exhibits should recognize individual differences and creativity, therefore using information in this document as a guide rather than a requirement.

You will need some equipment for assembling your collection. As a beginning insect collector, you will need a net, killing jar, spreading board, insect mounting pins, and a box to display your insects in. A 24 x 18-inch box is required for the Indiana 4-H insect display. The publication “How to Study, Collect, Preserve, and Identify Insects”, 4-H 764, is available at your County Extension Office. This booklet has a lot of specific information about insect collections that will help you build your collection.

Collections Guidelines

Collections are to include the following

1. Title as Insect Collection year in Entomology

2. Order - Refer to ID-401 pg 57

3. Display - mounted insects are to have been legally and personally collected in the United States and displayed in an 18”x24”x3” collection box displayed horizontally. Collections including multiple boxes are to be numbered 1 of 3, etc.  ID 401 A-F cards (for Beginner and Intermediate) and 401-I cards (for Advanced) are to be placed inside the display box in an attractive manner.

4. Identification – Collection display boxes are expected to contain the specified number of insects, families, and orders specified (see chart below). All insects must be in the adult stage and be properly mounted on insect pins or be contained in vials as directed

5. Pin Labels - Each pin or vial must contain two labels:

   • Top Label is to include collection date, location and collector name

   • Bottom label is to include common name and other optionsal identification data.

6. Box Labels – Box labels (computer generated or neatly printed) are used for orders and families as required (see chart below) and are to be placed flat against the bottom of the box. Insects must be properly grouped directly under the correct order and family label. For example, all insects belonging to a particular order must be placed under that order label. Orders to be used are listed in the reference book ID- 401. If family level identification is required, the insects should be further grouped together under the correct family label.

7. Educational Box – One additional box (educational), based on the specific theme (see chart below), is required for grades 9-12, in addition to the insect collection boxes. This box can be created in any manner chosen (without the mounting, pinning or identifying restrictions specified above).

Judges evaluating collection exhibits should judge based on educational content, scientific accuracy, eye appeal and creativity.

Monarch Butterfly Statement:

Q: Many have noticed the decrease in number of Monarch butterflies both in Indiana and throughout the country and wonder if and how Entomology at Purdue is responding. Are 4-H and youth still required to catch these endangered insects for their collection boxes?

A: Monarch butterflies are now officially on the threatened species list. While we know that collecting Monarch butterflies for 4-H collections or displays does not constitute a significant risk to their population when compared to the effects of climate change, pesticide contamination and habitat loss, capitalizing on this opportunity to discuss their decline is an excellent way to bring public focus to this important issue. We want our youth (and all IN citizens) to recognize the Monarch butterfly, understand its biology and be empathetic to its conservation. Therefore, we have instituted the following update to our youth and 4H Entomology programs. Effective immediately, we no longer encourage students to ‘collect’ Monarch butterflies for exhibits, displays or 4-H insect collections. But, rather than simply removing the Monarch butterfly from the list of 150 insects that 4-H students are to recognize, we want to highlight it so that students really do learn to recognize them and understand their peril. After all, the more we are  familiar with this species, the more apt we will be to assist and support the conservation of this iconic species.

Spotted Lanternfly Statement

Q: Are there any new changes to rules or directions for the 4H or FFA youth projects or competitions that students and coaches should look for?

A: To keep the youth Career Development (CDE judging) and 4-H collection projects current, it is important to occasionally add new insects to the list. Due to the invasion of a serious new insect pest throughout the Midwest called the Spotted Lanternfly, we have added it to the list of insects found in the “How to Make an Awesome insect Collection and (ID-401) and Who Let the Bugs Out (ID-402) extension resources. Please be aware that students are now expected to identify and understand its biology and behavior as well as its potential impact in Agriculture. 

Below are the guidelines for the specific grade level:

* The educational box (grades 9–12) is in addition to the insect display box(es). This box should be created in such a way as to teach something about the assigned theme to the general public.

Exhibit Class Guidelines

Beginner (1st - 3rd year in Entomology)

Create a collection based on the year in Entomology or an educational exhibit.

Intermediate (4th - 6th year in Entomology)

Create a collection based on the year in Entomology or an educational display

Advanced (7th - 10th Year in Entomology)

Create a collection based on the year in Entomology or an educational exhibit. Advanced level insect collections are to also include an education box, for a total of four boxes. Advanced level youth may instead create an independent study topic of choice.