FFS farmers learn about insect identification.
When we collect insects from the field there is a lot we want to learn about them:
Naming the insect:
- Don’t use scientific names when talking with farmers
- Use common names; preferably local names used by the farmers
- Invent names if needed
Recognizing the insect:
- Study the body part:
- Shape
- Color
- Function
- Use identification guides or manuals
- Photos
- Drawings
- Know the life cycle
- Egg
- Larva or nymph
- Pupa
- Adult
- What is its function in the ecosystem?
- Herbivore (is it a pest?)
- Predator
- Parasitoid
- Neutral
- Study its behavior
- Activities, movement, dispersal in the field
- Searching behavior
- Feeding behavior
- Where do they hide or rest?
- Keep records
- Make drawings
- Keep specimens for reference
- Note down what you learned
- Start experiments to learn more
- Insect zoo
- Field cages
- Use of traps
- Training materials to study insects
- Hand lenses
- Plastic bags
- Sweep nets
- Aspirator
- Insect zoo
- Traps
