Bugs - Episodes 2-5
Episode 2: Backyard Bug Hunt
Post your bug photos and drawings here: facebook.com/BackyardBiodiversityTaranaki(external link)
Relevant resources
- Ash’s invertebrate scoresheet [PDF, 113 KB]
- Online key for bug identification: https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/animals/bug-id/what-is-this-bug(external link)
- For feedback from experts, upload your bug photos to iNaturalist NZ: https://inaturalist.nz/home(external link)
- Join the StayiNatHome project to check out what other New Zealanders have been finding in their backyards since lockdown: https://inaturalist.nz/projects/stayinathome-nz(external link)
- Invertebrate education resource and factsheets: https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/conservation-education/resources/in-your-environment/(external link)
Episode 3: Mantis fun feature
Post your mantis photos and drawings here: facebook.com/BackyardBiodiversityTaranaki(external link)
Relevant resources
- Mantis facts: https://www.citscihub.nz/Phil_Bendle_Collection:Praying_mantis_(New_Zealand)_Orthodera_novaezealandiae(external link)
- How to draw a mantis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7NaUw1K8GU(external link)
Episode 4: Building a Bug Whare
Post your bug hotel photos here: facebook.com/BackyardBiodiversityTaranaki(external link)
Relevant resources
- Build a wētā motel: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/toyota-kiwi-guardians/take-action/build-a-weta-motel/(external link)
- https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/conservation-activities/exploring-nature-with-children-booklet/in-your-own-backyard/build-a-weta-motel/(external link)
- Instructions for a 5 star wētā motel: https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/native-animals/invertebrates/weta-motel-design.pdf(external link)
- Learn about pūtangatanga or tree wētā: https://www.citscihub.nz/Phil_Bendle_Collection:Weta_(Tree)_Auckland_(Hemideina_thoracica)(external link)
- http://wetageta.massey.ac.nz/Text%20files/tree%20weta%20ecology.html(external link)
- https://www.pestdetective.org.nz/on-the-case/2018/rat-or-weta-droppings/(external link)
Episode 5: Exploring at Night
Post your spooky selfies and night critter pics here: facebook.com/BackyardBiodiversityTaranaki(external link)
Relevant resources
- New Zealand nocturnal wildlife: https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/resources/wild-nightlife(external link)
- Learn all about moths or pūrerehua: https://mothnet.org/(external link)
https://mothnet.org/assets/Guides/Guide-Downloads/Beginners-Guide-to-Macro-Moths-Nga-Paihau.pdf(external link) - Become a night photography nerd (pretty technical): https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/photography/night-photography-tips(external link)