The jobs insects do

Science · Insects & Minibeasts · ages 9-11

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Birds, bats, fish, and frogs all rely on insects for what?
- Nesting material
- Food
- Water
Dung beetles and fly larvae help nature by breaking down dead plants and animal waste. What job is this called?
- Decomposer
- Pollinator
- Predator
Ladybirds eating aphids is an example of insects acting as pest controllers.
Circle one: True False
If all the bees disappeared from an area, what would most likely happen to the flowering plants there?
- They would make far less fruit and fewer seeds
- They would grow taller and stronger
- They would change into a different plant
A gardener notices aphids destroying her rose bushes. Which insect could help control this pest naturally?
- Butterfly
- Dung beetle
- Ladybird
The graph shows aphids on a rose bush before and after ladybirds arrived. How many aphids did the ladybirds eat?
Answer: ______________
Ben says insects are only pests and the world would be better if they all disappeared. What is wrong with Ben's idea?
- Insects have no effect on plants or animals
- Ben is completely right, insects only cause harm
- Removing all insects would also remove pollinators, decomposers, and food for other animals
If every insect on Earth disappeared tomorrow, which chain of events would happen?
- Nothing would change because plants make their own food
- Fewer plants get pollinated, so animals and people lose food
- Only insects would be affected, not other living things

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Food · Many birds, bats, fish, and frogs eat insects. Insects are a major part of their diet.
Decomposer · Breaking down dead things and returning nutrients to the soil makes them decomposers.
True · Ladybirds eat aphids that damage plants, which controls the pest population naturally.
They would make far less fruit and fewer seeds · Bees carry pollen between flowers. Without them, many plants cannot make fruit or seeds.
Ladybird · Ladybirds eat aphids, so having them in the garden reduces pest damage without chemicals.
22 · 30 aphids before minus 8 aphids after equals 22 aphids eaten by the ladybirds.
Removing all insects would also remove pollinators, decomposers, and food for other animals · Most insects help ecosystems by pollinating plants, recycling waste, and feeding other animals. Only a small number are harmful pests.
Fewer plants get pollinated, so animals and people lose food · Insects connect many parts of nature. Losing them would hurt plants, animals, and people.