Insect Fact File Ants Bumble Bees Dragonflies Ladybugs Moths Termites

Ants Most ants live in the soil. Some live inside wood or plants. HOME Ants #2 #1 Habitat (home) Body covering Most ants live in the soil. Some live inside wood or plants. Ants’ bodies are covered by a hard skeleton on the outside. It is called an exoskeleton. Diet (food) Fun facts Most ants eat small insects, nectar, or honey dew. Ants do not have ears. They feel sounds with their feet. Ants are really strong. If a second grader were as strong as an ant, she would be able to pick up a car! #3

HOME Bumble Bees #2 #1 Habitat (home) Body covering Bumble bees often nest in the ground. They can also be found above ground around patios or in attics. Bumble bees’ bodies are covered by a coat of hair that helps them stay warm. Bumble bees also have a hard exoskeleton. Diet (food) Fun facts Worker bees gather pollen and nectar from flowers to feed to the babies and to other bees. Bumble bees can sting more then once because they do not lose their stinger after they sting. Bees see all colors except the color red. #3

HOME Dragonflies #1 #2 #3 Habitat (home) Body covering Young dragonflies live in freshwater such as small streams and ponds. Adult dragonflies may travel away from water while hunting or migrating. A dragonfly’s body is covered by a hard skeleton. It is called an exoskeleton. Fun facts Young dragonfly nymphs breathe using gills in their abdomen. Dragonflies are the fastest insects. They can fly more then 30 miles per hour. Diet (food) Dragonflies eat other insects such as mosquitoes, ants, termites, butterflies, gnats, and bees.

HOME Ladybugs #1 #2 #3 Habitat (home) Body covering Ladybugs live in forests, fields, grasslands, gardens, and even people’s homes. Ladybugs live on plants where aphids can be found such as milkweed, roses, and broccoli. A ladybug’s body is covered by a hard skeleton. It is called an exoskeleton. Fun facts Ladybugs will play dead when threatened. Adult ladybugs hibernate in winter. Diet (food) Ladybugs eat aphids, mealybugs, and mites.

Moths Moths live in deserts, forests, mountains, swamps, and marshes. HOME Moths #1 #2 #3 Habitat (home) Body covering Moths live in deserts, forests, mountains, swamps, and marshes. A moth’s body is covered by a hard skeleton. It is called an exoskeleton. Diet (food) Fun facts Most moths eat the leaves and flowers of plants. Some moth caterpillars eat fruit, seeds, and a few eat animals foods like beeswax or fur. Some moth caterpillars cam make lines or silk they use like “safety lines” to escape danger. They drop down and hang on their line of silk. Then they crawl back up after a predator is gone.

HOME Termites #1 #2 #3 Habitat (home) Body covering Some termites live in wood. Others live in underground colonies. Some termites can build mud nests inside the walls of buildings. A termite’s body is covered by a hard skeleton. It is called an exoskeleton. Fun facts Worker and soldier termites are blind. Termites build the largest nests of any insect. Diet (food) Termites eat wood, wallpaper, plastics, and fabric made from plants.