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How to Find an Insect

Making up more than half of all living things on earth, there are over 1 million known species of insects. Scientists estimate that there are over 10 quintillion insects alive on earth at any given time. Insects are different from humans in a variety of ways: their skeleton is outside the body; they taste with their feet; they smell with their antennae; and if they can hear, it's through eardrums on their abdomen or legs. When trying to find any insect, you don't have to look far, the many species have adapted to virtually all environments and habitats.

Instructions

Finding Any Insect
- 1
  
  You might be hard-pressed to find insects outside in winter.
  
  Go outside of your home during any season except winter. Insects are cold-blooded, and many die off in the winter leaving only their young to overwinter in protected areas.
- 2
  
  Any outdoor spot could be ideal for insect viewing.
  
  Find a comfortable spot to sit or stand for a few moments. This could be on your porch, balcony or even a grassy spot in your yard.
- 3
  
  You might be surprised how many insects are living in your lawn.
  
  Look around. If you're in the grass, separate the blades of grass with your fingers and look at the soil and in between the blades. If you're standing on a porch or balcony, look for paper wasp nests or at your landscaping. Within moments, you should see an insect either crawling about or flying by.
Finding a Specific Insect
- 4
  
  Praying mantises prefer areas with high numbers of their insect prey.
  
  Research the specific insect you are looking for. You can do a general search on the Internet, or look through a field guide dedicated to insects. Things you should research include what the insect eats, its preferred habitat and distinguishing characteristics.
- 5
  
  Butterflies eat flower nectar and are attracted by colorful flowers.
  
  Go outside and find the insect's preferred food source or habitat. For example, if you are looking for a wood-boring beetle species, find that species' favorite tree and look for the beetle on it. If you're looking for butterflies, find a garden with lots of colorful flowers.
- 6
  
  Look around; you might find other insects while looking for a specific one.
  
  Exercise patience. If you're looking for a specific insect, it may take time to find it. While waiting, consider enjoying the other insect species you find.

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