How to Watch Insects

The wonderful world of insects awaits the person who takes up insect watching as a hobby! Learning about the different habits and looks of insects can be endlessly fascinating. Bring plenty of supplies with you on your expeditions and explore a variety of habitats to find different types of insects. When you spot an interesting insect, take a photo and write down some notes to help you remember it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Getting Ready for Insect Watching

1
Bring a notebook and pencil to record your observations. This is a useful and easy way of keeping track of all the different insects that you find, especially if you see lots of them! Keep your notebook at the top of your bag so that you can quickly get it out when you see an interesting insect.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If it’s raining, put your notebook in a plastic bag to keep it dry.
2
Take a magnifying glass and camera on your expedition. This is a great way to get a closer look at the insects that you find. If your camera has batteries, consider bringing extras in case they die over the course of the day. Hold your magnifying glass over the insect to get a better look or take a photo and zoom in.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Always use your magnifying glass out of the sun to avoid burning the insects.
Advertisement
3
Wear sunscreen and bug spray. Insect watching can leave you quite exposed to the sun. Wear light clothes that protect you from the UV rays and cover any exposed skin in sunscreen to avoid getting burnt. If possible, stay in the shade during the hottest hours of the day to prevent sunburn. Spray bug spray over any exposed skin to help prevent bites and stings.^{[3]XResearch source}
- If you are going to a rainforest, consider using a bug spray that contains DEET to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
4
Bring water and snacks if you'll be outside for a while. These are useful for keeping your energy levels up over the course of the day. Make sure to drink regularly, especially if it is hot. Pack plenty of snacks to give yourself lots of fuel to hunt down interesting insects.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Muesli bars and trail mix are quick and easy snacks to put in your backpack.
5
Carry a flashlight if you're looking for insects at night. A flashlight will help you to see where you are going and will also attract lots of insects. Take the brightest flashlight that you can find in order to attract the most insects. Consider taking a headlight, as this allows you to see whilst leaving your hands free to make observations about the insects that you discover.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If you’re going out at night, always get permission and take an adult with you.
6
Bring a jar with a mesh lid if you want to collect insects. It is important to make sure that your insects can breathe. Jars with mesh lids work well because they trap the insect but still allow plenty of air flow. Allow the insect to climb into the jar. If it won’t climb in, use a stick to gently guide it.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Purchase a jar with a mesh lid from a pet shop or online.
7
Avoid getting near or touching dangerous insects. Whilst most insects are perfectly safe, it is important to be cautious around insects that you can’t identify or that you know to be dangerous. If in doubt, it is best to leave it alone.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If you get bitten or stung by an insect, always seek medical advice.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Finding Insects

1
Search for insects around your home. You’ll be surprised how many insects live inside your home! Search in warm places, such as by your dryer, oven, microwave, and heater. Also look in your pantry, on your window sills, and in any cracks or holes in your walls or flooring.^{[8]XResearch source}
- You will likely find more insects inside during winter, as they will come inside to escape the cold.
- Cockroaches and ants are common insects to find inside.
2
Look around your backyard for more insects. Your backyard is a wonderful playground for a variety of insects, such as aphids, bees, dragonflies, ants, butterflies, moths and mosquitoes. Search for insects in the grass and plants, under leaves, on the walls of your home, under the home, in sheds, and in any cracks on the pavement.
- If you don’t have a backyard, visit your local park to find similar insects.
3
Keep an eye out for insects on your next lake or river trip. Many insects are attracted to water – making lakes and rivers an ideal place to watch insects in their natural habitat. Look in the shallow areas of the water for whirligig beetles and diving beetles. Keep an eye out for dragonflies and damselflies flying over the water, especially if there are lily pads around.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Never wade into the water with your clothes on, as they can weigh you down and can be a drowning hazard.
4
Check around bright lights at night time. Porch lights, street lights, lanterns, and even flashlights attract insects at night. Keep an eye out for polyphemus moths, cecropia moths, gnats, leafhoppers, and mosquitoes. Enjoy watching the insects fly around the bright light.^{[10]XResearch source}
- If no insects fly toward your light initially, wait 20 minutes and then check again. Sometimes insects will take a little while to make their way toward the light.
5
Search forests, rainforests, or woods to find insects in trees. There is an abundance of insects to be found in the forest! Search in the loose bark on trees, look around and under fallen trees, check tree stumps, and look under dried leaves.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Ambrosia beetles, bees, bark beetles, ants, darkling beetles, ground beetles, and termites are commonly found in many woodlands and in forest areas. Rhinoceros beetles and goliath beetles can be spotted in the rainforest in many locations.
- Never remove bark that isn’t loose, as this can damage the trees.
6
Search the desert for insects that can withstand extreme heat. These insects are interesting because they can survive in very dry and hot environments. Keep an eye out for velvet ants, pinacate beetles, and wind scorpions. Check under rocks and near sources of water for insects.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Recognise pinacate beetles by their awful smell. These are more commonly known as stink bugs.
7
Look carefully to find insects at the beach. Whilst the beach isn’t the most common place to find insects, they do exist! Sand flies and sand fleas are commonly found around the dry sand on beaches. These look similar to the flies and fleas that you would find inside your home.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Wear bug spray to protect yourself from sand fly bites. These are similar to mosquito bites.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Observing the Insects

1
Write down where you found the insects. This is a great way to help your remember where the insects came from and can assist you to find them again in the future. Try to be as specific as possible to help you easily locate the insect next time.^{[14]XResearch source}
- For example, “I found a Monarch butterfly on a swan plant at Central Park.”
2
Note down what time of day you saw the insects. This is especially important if you have found an insect that is only active during certain times of the day. Record whether you saw the insect during the morning, afternoon, or in the evening.^{[15]XResearch source}
- If you watched the insect throughout the day, simply note down the time frame. For example, “I observed a stick insect between 11am and 11:30pm.”
3
Take a photo of the insect or sketch it to help identify it later. Try to hold the camera really still while you take the photo. This helps to ensure that the image is really clear. If you are drawing the insect, try to include all the distinguishing features, such as antennae, wings, markings, and colour patterns.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Use the photo or drawing of the insect to look it up in an insect identification book.
4
Write down all the colours that are on the insect. Most insects will have at least two colours, and many will have more. Record the predominant colouring of the insect and then note down any other colours and markings that it has.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Try to be specific about where the colourings are. For example, “The moth had purple spots in the middle of its wings.”
5
Record any interesting features or body parts that the insect has. Write down if the insects have wings, antennae, spikes, big eyes, or any other unusual features. Record each feature in as much detail as you can to help you remember what it looks like.^{[18]XResearch source}
- For example, if the insect had antennae, you could note how long they are, their colour, and whether they are smooth, furry, or spiky.
6
Note down what the insect is doing and how it is moving. Record whether the insect is crawling, slithering, or flying. Take note of any interesting behaviours, such as eating or collecting food or making a sound. If there are multiple insects, comment on how they are interacting.^{[19]XResearch source}
- These notes are really interesting to read over later.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Check out insect guide books, documentaries, videos, and photos online for inspiration.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
Insects tend to be more active when it's warmer.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
Always take care not to harm insects if you handle them.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0