INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL.

Transcription

1 INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL

2 Backyard Science with Bugs! The citizen science project Backyard Bark Beetles is seeking participants for their research on some of the tiny, amazing animals that live in our backyards. This fun and exciting project offers a hands-on way to learn about some of the cool critters around us and participants will contribute to serious scientific research. Why collect Bark & Ambrosia Beetles? Because they are Important to the environment o Bark and ambrosia beetles are tiny wood boring insects that affect tree and forest health. Native species are important to forest decomposition and nutrient recycling and typically only attack dead or dying trees. BUT, invasive species often attack live trees and can sometimes wipe out whole populations of trees! Economically important o Bark and ambrosia beetles are among some of the more economically important forest pests. Some species damage timber and landscape plants, but they can also attack fruit and nut trees and cause agricultural problems for farmers. A growing threat o The tiny size and wood boring habit of these animals means that they are both easy to transport and hard to find! They are a growing problem as invasive species and are the most commonly intercepted insect at U.S. ports-of-entry. Once they get here, they re very hard to get rid of, making early detection really important. Awesome! o These little bitty beetles can cause some big problems, but they also do some really amazing stuff. They grow gardens of tiny mushrooms for food, have bizarre mating habits, and can call together large gatherings using chemical attractants called pheromones.

3 Why Participate? Participants will... Contribute to science o Backyard Bark Beetles provides a rare opportunity for the public to participate in real-world scientific research! Participants will help to advance our understanding of the tiny, hidden world of bark and ambrosia beetles, which will help us to protect trees and forests. Learn what lives in your back yard o Backyard Bark Beetles provides a free identification service for some of the coolest, but least well known insects that live all around. You catch and send in beetles, then we identify them and tell you what you caught! We even have an interactive map on our website so you can see pictures of the species you caught and see what others have caught too! Have fun! o This project is great for youth groups especially. Anyone can do it! It s easy, inexpensive, and fun. See to learn more! This is a drawing of a bark beetle gallery. It consists of a series of tunnels made by a bark beetle family on the underside of the bark as they feed and grow together. Bark and ambrosia beetles are really tiny, some are smaller than a sesame seed, but when you look up close, they look really cool! Like this...

4 Backyard Bark Beetles Take Home Project Here s what you need: Beetle Bottle Trap Alcohol based hand sanitizer Sturdy twine, string, or rope A place near trees or shrubs to hang your trap Zip top freezer bags A spoon A data sheet (provided below) A Pencil Do Not Use a Pen Internet Access to visit our website

5 Here s what you do: Sign up for the project online Repeat (up to 3 times total) Hang your trap in the late afternoon, add ½ cup of hand sanitizer, and leave it overnight Scoop your beetles into a zip top freezer bag the next day. Be sure to get them all! Double bag your beetles and place in the freezer Just rinse the trap with water and it s ready to be reused! Fill out the data sheet in pencil Mail everything in. We will you once your beetles have been identified 8 Check out the Beetle Map to see what you caught!

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