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Butterfly, Ant, Beetle .... BUG BINGO!!

By Shellie AnnePosted June 13, 2011

 

Did you know that 8 out of 10 animals on the planet are insects? Try this fun game with your kids to get to know them better!

article in National Wildlife by Gerry Bishop

An Image

Moths have knobs at the ends of their antennae, butterflies don't

Print out these bug bingo games, then head outside with your kids to find as many bugs* as you can. or bring them along to your favorite Virginia State Park!  We’ve provided four versions for you, so several children kids can compete.

Before you head out, share these 6 amazing bug facts with your kids:

*Using its jaws, an ant can lift up to 50 times its own weight.
*A cricket’s ears are on its front legs.
*Butterflies taste with their feet.
*When collecting nectar, a honeybee may visit more than 1,000 flowers each day.
*To reach their winter home in Mexico, some monarch butterflies travel nearly 2,800 miles.
*The largest butterfly—the Queen Alexandra’s birdwing—has a wingspan of nearly one foot.
 
 
-Read this entire article here and see copies of the Bug Bingo and more!
-Visit the National Wildlife Federation website for more family fun activities in the outdoors - here
-Log in your wildlife sightings at NWF's Wildlife Watch - here
 
+Gerry Bishop/Editor’s Note: We’re using the word ‘bug’ to mean any small, crawly creature. Scientists use the word to mean a certain kind of insect with piercing, or stabbing, mouthparts.
 
More info on Gerry - Gerry Bishop began writing and taking photos for Ranger Rick magazine in 1971 and has been working for the magazine ever since. He was Editor in Chief of the magazine from 1987 through 2006 and is now writing and editing from his home in Charlottesville, Virginia. His favorite hobbies are taking photos of nature, gardening for wildlife, and exploring mountains and other wild places.
 
Virginia State Parks has 35 parks to choose from! See a list of all 35 parks here, pick your favorite and then head outside.
PARKS
Bear Creek Lake State Park  |  Belle Isle State Park  |  Caledon State Park  |  Chippokes State Park  |  Claytor Lake State Park  |  Douthat State Park  |  Fairy Stone State Park  |  False Cape State Park  |  First Landing State Park  |  Grayson Highlands State Park  |  High Bridge Trail State Park  |  Holliday Lake State Park  |  Hungry Mother State Park  |  James River State Park  |  Kiptopeke State Park  |  Lake Anna State Park  |  Leesylvania State Park  |  Mason Neck State Park  |  Natural Tunnel State Park  |  New River Trail State Park  |  Occoneechee State Park  |  Pocahontas State Park  |  Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park  |  Raymond R. "Andy" Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park  |  Sky Meadows State Park  |  Smith Mountain Lake State Park  |  Southwest Virginia Museum  |  Staunton River Battlefield State Park  |  Staunton River State Park  |  Twin Lakes State Park  |  Westmoreland State Park  |  Wilderness Road State Park  |  York River State Park
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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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