Working in pairs, pupils use the information about each beetle to identify which part of the garden they might be found.

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Drusilla Carter
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Teaching notes The idea behind this activity is to show that a group of closely related invertebrates, all beetles which appear very similar, can live successfully in the same ecosystem because they

1 Teaching notes The idea behind this activity is to show that a group of closely related invertebrates, all beetles which appear very similar, can live successfully in the same ecosystem because they occupy different niches in the garden. Also, the beetles, although of the same basic design, are adapted to their particular role in the ecosystem. Task 1 Working in pairs, pupils use the information about each beetle to identify which part of the garden they might be found. Students cut out each box and position it around the periphery of the garden. They check with their neighbours to see if they agree before sticking the boxes down and neatly drawing an arrow to show the particular niche for that beetle. (The beetle boxes will extend beyond the edge of the A4 pond drawing). Bring the class together and choose individuals to identify a beetle and explain where they have put it in the garden and why they have chosen that niche. The picture is available on the Magnet interactive so that students can be asked to come and move the arrows to the appropriate place and explain the reason for their choice. Organisms in garden sketch from left to right: Plants: raspberry canes, apple tree; rushes, lilies, bulrush in pond; garden shrubs; grass at front. Animals: spider, ants, hedgehog, caterpillar, rabbit, bumble bee, frog, blackbird, flies, snail, butterfly Page 1 of 5

2 Task 2 Looking at the beetles; can pupils identify any features which are adaptations to their particular role. These adaptations are not immediately obvious. Here are some suggestions: Violet ground beetle An active predator. It has prominent eyes, long, mobile antennae and long legs to enable it to hunt its prey. Aphodius fimetarius Silpha atrata Lawn grass can be very thick at soil level. This beetle has a stout body and short, strong legs to help it push through the dense thatch. This species of dung beetle doesn t bury dung but just feeds on it. It has relatively long, mobile antennae to help it find and identify its prey. Garden chafer It has hooks on its feet to enable it to climb shrubs and fruit trees. Whirligig beetle Hind limbs are like paddles enabling the beetle to spin across the pond surface and to dive beneath the water. Pair of fore limbs help it capture/manipulate prey. Task 3 Pupils have enough information in the garden sketch and the work they have done to draw up a few food chains. Here are some examples Grass snail Silpha atrata blackbird Plant ant violet ground beetle hedgehog Raspberry raspberry beetle blackbird Grass rabbit Aphodius fimetarius hedgehog Apple tree garden chafer blackbird Pond plant mosquito larva whirligig beetle frog Plenary activity Show images of four common garden finches on the PowerPoint. In groups of 2 4 pupils write a statement which explains how these very similar bird species are able to live together in the same garden ecosystem. You can limit the number of words in their statement to add an extra challenge. Sources: Collins guide to the insects of Britain and Western Europe, by Michael Chinery. Collins, London Page 2 of 5

Draw an arrow from each beetle to show its particular niche. Violet ground beetle Lives under stones and leaf litter. Hunts slugs and other invertebrates.

3 Task 1 Read the information about each beetle and decide which part of the garden they are likely to be found in. Cut out the beetle boxes and arrange them around the outside of the garden drawing (they will probably stick out over the edge of the sheet). Draw an arrow from each beetle to show its particular niche. Violet ground beetle Lives under stones and leaf litter. Hunts slugs and other invertebrates. Aphodius fimetarius Lives on ground amongst grass. Feeds on herbivores dung. Silpha atrata Lives in damp shady places. Predator on snails. Garden chafer Lives and feeds on shrubs and fruit trees. Larvae feed on grass roots Whirligig beetle Lives in ponds. Feeds on mosquito larvae. Raspberry beetle Its larvae feed on buds and fruits of raspberry canes Page 3 of 5

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5 Task 2 Look at the beetles. Identify any features which are adaptations to their particular role and write them down by their picture. E.g. It has prominent eyes, long antenna and legs to enable it to hunt its prey. Violet ground beetle Aphodius fimetarius Silpha atrata Garden chafer beetle Whirligig beetle Task 3 Use all of the information that you have been given to write down 3 food chains in the garden Page 5 of 5

Garden ecosystem Task Look at the pictures of some common garden birds.

In pairs write a statement to explain how these very similar species are

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com/photos/specky4eyes/13957525877 Greenfinch Greenfinch, Kev Chapman,

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6 Garden ecosystem Task Look at the pictures of some common garden birds. They are all different species of finches. In pairs write a statement to explain how these very similar species are able to live together in the same garden ecosystem Bullfinch Bullfinch, Tim Dutton, Greenfinch Greenfinch, Kev Chapman, Goldfinch Goldfinch, Anne Williams2012, Chaffinch Chaffinch, Tony Smith,

Living in a Pond. Pre-Visit Lesson. Summary: Students will classify pond organisms into appropriate pond habitats and then draw it on a pond diagram.

Living in a Pond. Pre-Visit Lesson. Summary: Students will classify pond organisms into appropriate pond habitats and then draw it on a pond diagram. Living in a Pond Grade Level: 3-4 Teaching Methods: Analysis, Classification, Discussion, Drawing, Observation, Reading, Small Group Time: Preparation Time: 30 minutes Activity Time: 40 minutes Materials: