Insects are the most diverse and pervasive group of animals: there are more types of insects than of all other animals combined. They are found in virtually all terrestrial environments, from deserts to rainforest and from tundra to savannah, and are also abundant in freshwater, from seasonal brooks to major rivers and from stagnant puddles to huge lakes. They are not found in the sea where, however, their relatives the crustaceans are found in large numbers.

Most importantly, insects are common in environments dominated by man’s activities, whether in rural or urban areas. The variety and abundance of insects can easily be seen by children in their immediate environment: on the school field; in a nearby pond; in the garden; along the verges of the road; in hedgerows and fields; in garden sheds and garages; and even inside the classroom and their own houses. However, many insects are small, so keen eyes are needed to spot them and a hand-lens to look at them properly.

The influence of differences between local habitats is clearly shown by the types of insects found in them. Choose two or three contrasting habitats for an insect hunt: long grass in the corner of the school field; dead leaves or weeds in a corner of the playground; flowers in the school garden; a local pond or stream; or an old wall in the sun.

For Years 2 and 3, it will be better to focus on the main groups, and their description in the introductory paragraph of the information on each of the insects in our ‘Insect Index’, rather than on the particular species. Look at the differences beween the major groups: true bugs; true flies; beetles; ants, wasps and bees; and butterflies and moths. Then look for habitat associations: butterflies, lacewings, bees and hoverflies with flowers because their adults feed on nectar; dragonflies and damselflies with freshwater because their nymphs are aquatic; and froghoppers and their ‘cuckoo-spit’ with uncut verges and wild meadows.

Insects provide excellent examples of how animals reproduce and change as they grow older. In those groups with a pupal stage and complete metamorphosis (e.g. butterflies, beetles, bees), this change can be dramatic. However, in our British climate, insect life cycles are seasonal and it is uncommon to be able to see more than one stage of an insect at the same time.

In the QCA Scheme, this topic is Unit 2B for Year 2. However, the concepts introduced at this stage are re-inforced and expanded by Units in later years that add to the pupil’s understanding of the variety of living organisms and their abundance in the environment.