Let's go on a Schoolyard Safari !

Teaching students about mini-beasts, food chains and life cycles can be fun and exciting.

Take your students on a 

"Schoolyard Safari"

around your schoolyard or local park and spot the resident mini-beasts.

Your school is probably full of hundreds, if not thousands of species of mini-beasts. Even city and suburban schools have a variety of habitats available in their schoolyards and adjoining parks that are ideal for studying mini-beasts. As you take your students on a ‘mini-beasts meander’, encourage them to consider who eats what? Who helps whom? There are some excellent printed field guides and books available, which can help identify any mini-beasts you do find (see Suggested Reading list at end of this article). You may even want to invite an expert like an entomologist along to help you on your quest.

What you’ll need

• hands, eyes and ears
• magnifying glasses and hand lenses
• Containers for temporary housing of things you find and want to examine further.
• field guides
• clipboard, pencil and paper (for recording what you find and where

Where to look

You may think your school is devoid of natural diversity and ecological niches, but every school has a variety of ideal habitats for a large number of mini-beasts, particularly invertebrates. Examples of habitats around your school may include:

• School buildings and fittings:
  • around windows, doors;
  • on the floor, carpet, lino, etc;
  • on the ceiling, around lights and corners;
  • behind posters, clocks, pictures, books;
  • under the sink and toilets;
  • in and around garbage bins;
  • under seats, desks and tables and shelving;
  • around outdoor lights.

• Gardens:
  • amongst soil and leaf litter;
  • on plants, shrubs, on bark, leaves, flowers etc;
  • in webs;
  • under rocks;
  • in and under rotten logs;
  • mysterious holes in ground;
  • amongst wood and rock piles.

• Trees
  • on the trunk;
  • under bark;
  • amongst leaves;
  • visiting flowers;
  • base of trunk / roots.
• Grass
  • lawn / ovals (short grass);
  • long grass;
  • along the blades;
  • on seed or flower heads;
  • deep down at ground level.
• Concrete
  • walking / running along surface;
  • along holes / cracks.
• Sandy areas
  • under buildings;
  • around pathways;
  • around gardens beds.
• In the pond or creek
  • walking on the surface of the water;
  • flying above the water;
  • perched on plants nearby;
  • under the water.
• Flying in the air
  • around windows or lights;
  • around the playground, including students and bins;
  • around trees, gardens or grassed areas.

Sounds

Many mini-beasts make sounds. Cicadas are the loudest by far, but others include crickets, locusts, grasshoppers, katydids, beetles and cockroaches. So listen carefully as you walk around and look for mini-beasts too.

What about Nocturnal Mini-beasts?

There are just as many nocturnal mini-beasts as there are diurnal ‘or day-living’ mini-beasts. So how do we show our students these little creatures of the night? Many of them you’ll uncover when looking under rocks, logs and under bark etc. But many are so secretive, that you’ll only find them if you go out at night with a torch or a headlamp. You may want to think about setting some traps to catch some nocturnal insects around your school. Many harmless baits and traps can be made in the classroom and set up just before you go home for the day. Mini-beasts can then be identified and released the following afternoon. For more details, keep an eye out for Mini-beast trapping and collecting ideas coming up in another issue of ‘Science Education News’.

Seasonal Changes and Variations

Each season brings a new and diverse array of mini-beasts to every habitat. The most successful seasons of course are the warmer months when flowers are blooming and warmer temperatures enable them to breed and flourish. But winter and even the hottest times of summer are also excellent times to see different mini-beasts or at least different stages in their life cycles. You might want to take a mini-beast meander several times a year to see what you can find.

What to look for

• Gastropods (Snails and Slugs): usually found during or after rain or at nighttime. They will be found under seats, buildings, plant pots, and garbage bins, in gardens and under logs. Garden snails and Leopard slugs are most commonly seen but there are lots of Australian native snails and slugs around so keep an eye out!

• Annelids (Earthworms and Leeches): Earthworms are of course usually found in rich healthy soil, in plant pots and in compost bins. Leeches are usually seen during or after rain on foliage of trees and shrubs, waiting for a warm-blooded meal to walk by. They are usually only seen in very bushy or forested areas.

• Onychophora (Peripatus, Velvet worms): These are found under rocks and logs and amongst moist leaf litter.

• Arachnids (Spiders, Scorpions, Ticks, Mites, Pseudoscorpions, Harvestmen, etc):
  • Scorpions: In NSW, we have several species of scorpion, which can be found under rocks or logs during the day, sometimes in shallow burrows. Of course being nocturnal, they come out of their hideouts at night to catch food.
  • Spiders: are found in all types of habitats and ‘ecological niches’.

Here’s a quick run-down of where to find some of NSW most common species.

• Black House Spider Badumna insignis: are found under eaves and around windows of school buildings, and around bark-openings of trees.
• Red-backed Spider Latrodectus hasselti: occur in dry dark areas such as garden rockeries, in garden sheds amongst garden tools, plant pots, shelves, benches etc. Remember this spider can deliver a painful bite!
• Funnel-webs: Many species exist around NSW, the most notorious being the Sydney Funnel-web Atrax robustus. Others of interest in NSW include the Northern Tree-dwelling, Blue Mountains Hadronyche versuta and Illawarra funnel-webs. Their holes not usually seen unless leaf litter, rocks or logs are disturbed. Students should be discouraged from touching anything that looks like this species.
• Trapdoor Spiders Misgolax rapax: Some holes may be easily seen in compacted clay/soil retaining walls, on the ground and around the bases of trees but others do make burrows with very well camouflaged trapdoors concealing the entrance. These spiders can also deliver a nasty bite so discourage students from touching them or poking fingers into holes.
• Mouse Spider (2 species) The Eastern species Missulena bradleyi: is found east of the Great Dividing Range, and the Red-headed Mouse Spider Missulena insignis, is found west of the range. Males are usually found wandering, whilst females have burrows under rocks and logs in gardens and forested areas. These spiders are often mistaken for Funnel-webs and can deliver a nasty bite also.
• Wolf Spiders Lycosa godeffroyi: Their holes in the ground can sometimes be seen. Adult spiders are commonly seen hunting at night on the ground. Wolf spiders eyes reflect in torchlight, which makes them quite easy to spot. These spiders can also bite.
• Daddy-long Legs Pholcus phalangioides: are found in webs in the corners of rooms in human dwellings, but can also be seen in hollow logs, under rocks, amongst vegetation etc.
• Garden Orb Weaver Eriophora biapicata: These can be observed during the day, curled up under a leaf or branch. They construct a round ‘orb-shaped’ web at dusk and often take it down the next day.
• St. Andrew’s Cross Spider Argiope keyserlingi: These are seen in small orb-shaped webs, with ornate crosses woven into them. They remain in their webs 24 hours a day.
• Golden Orb weavers Nephila ornata: are found in sticky golden webs between trees and shrubs, even during the day.
• Leaf-curling Spiders Phonognatha graeffei: Their messy orb webs are usually seen up to 1.5m from the ground amongst garden shrubs and suspended between them. Leaf-curling spiders are of course usually found in the carefully curled leaf in the centre of the web, which acts as a retreat from predators and the elements. To most people this would simply look like a dead leaf caught in an old spider web, making them very well camouflaged and often overlooked.
• Jumping Spiders (several species) are usually found amongst the foliage of plants, shrubs and trees as well as on the bark and flowers hunting for any small insect. They may also be seen elsewhere however as they are roaming predators and excellent climbers and jumpers.
• Crab or Flower Spiders (several species): As the name suggests, these spiders sometimes look and move like a crab, and are usually seen around flowers, where they lie waiting for prey, camouflaged by their colour, which is usually the same colour as their chosen flower.
• White-tailed Spiders Lampona cylindrata: These spiders tend to roam around so they can be seen in basically any habitat within your school. These spiders can bite so children should be discouraged from touching them.
• Huntsman Spiders (several species): They are found in trees (especially gum trees or Eucalyptus), under bark and sometimes in and around buildings.

• Pseudoscorpions: are usually very small and often overlooked. They can be found under bark and amongst leaf litter.
• Harvestmen: can be located in leaf litter, under logs, rocks and bark, and are usually found in damper regions. They do not have web like Daddy-long-leg spiders and are in an order of Arachnids all by themselves. Daddy-long-legs are a true spider from the order of Aranae.
• Mites and Ticks: are found in a variety of habitats. Mites are often too hard to see with the naked eye. Ticks can usually be seen especially when fully engorged. As both mites and ticks are usually host specific, it is unlikely you’ll see many in urban areas. Schools located in bushy areas however may see them quite regularly.

• Decapods (Crayfish): are found in ponds, dams and creeks. Sometimes you might also see them moving across land from one water source to another.

• Amphipoda (Landhoppers): occur amongst leaf litter and soil and under logs.

• Isopoda (Slaters): can be observed amongst rotting wood and vegetable matter such as leaf litter or compost heaps. They are also seen underneath plant pots and rocks.

• Chilopoda (Centipedes): are usually seen under rocks, logs and leaf litter. Centipedes can deliver a painful bite so be sure students don’t try to pick them up.

• Symphyla (Symphylans): are found under logs, bark, rocks and leaf litter but also may be found in deep soil in large numbers. They are usually less than 1cm in length.

• Diplopoda (Millipedes): are usually found amongst rotting wood and leaf litter but also seen on tree trunks and around compost bins.

• Insecta: (Insects) Insects are found in every habitat around Australia except for the deep oceans. Most insects are relatively harmless, but those not so, have been indicated.

• Collembola (Springtails): are found amongst leaf litter, rotting logs and topsoil.
• Diplura (Diplurans): are found in soil, under rocks, logs, and bark and amongst moss, most commonly in wet forested areas.
• Archeognatha (Archeognathans): are found in rock crevices, under bark and in leaf litter, and are usually less than 2cm in length.
• Thysanura (Silverfish and Bristle-tails): are found in a variety of habitats including under bark, logs and rocks, leaflitter and even sometimes in ants and termite nests. Several introduced species now inhabit human dwellings and feed on paper, glues and fibres.
• Ephemeroptera (Mayflies): Larval nymphs found in ponds, creeks and dams. Adult usually found close to water, but not always. Sometimes seen around lights.
• Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies): Aquatic larval nymphs are found in ponds, creeks and dams, and adults are usually seen hovering over and around these types of water sources. Adults also seem to be attracted to dripping taps, playground bubblers and garden sprinklers.
• Plecoptera (Stoneflies): Larval nymphs are found in flowing rivers and streams, usually in the mountainous areas of Australia. Adults are usually seen near water also, perched on aquatic plants.
• Blattodea (Cockroaches): Pest species such as the German cockroach and American cockroach may be found in and around school buildings such as classrooms, canteen areas, in and around bins and playgrounds and even staff rooms! There are also many native cockroaches that live amongst leaf litter, under bark, rocks and logs, amongst foliage and even underground. These cockroaches prefer to live outside thankfully and rely on our native vegetation to survive.
• Isoptera (Termites): are found amongst decaying wood in garden beds, such as old logs or railway sleepers. Arboreal species nest in Eucalyptus trees and sometimes in buildings. Some termites build mounds on the ground.
• Mantodea (Praying Mantis): are usually seen amongst foliage or long grasses or on the trunks of trees. They are also attracted to lights where they feed on moths and other small insects also attracted by it. Mantids don’t usually bite but have very sharp spines on their front 2 legs. Careful handling is recommended.
• Dermaptera (Earwigs): are usually seen amongst leaf litter and under bark, wood piles etc. Don’t be fooled, they can give you a pinch with those pincers!
• Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Katydids, Crickets and Locusts): can be found amongst grass of any kid, amongst foliage, shrubbery, on tree trunks, and some, such as Mole crickets live underground. Many of these species have large strong jaws and can deliver a painful bite so handle with care.
• Phasmatodea (Stick and Leaf insects): are usually found amongst native foliage especially Eucalyptus and Wattle or sometimes on the trunks of these trees. Sometimes they get blown out of trees and climb walls, fences or other vertical structures.
• Embioptera (Embiids, Web-spinners): occur in galleries built in crevices in bark, rotten logs, rocks, soil and leaf litter.
• Psocoptera (Psocids, Booklice): can be found in a large variety of habitats including on the foliage of shrubs, bark and amongst leaf litter. Some are found in books and their bindings and other stored paper products hence the name ‘book lice’.
• Phthiraptera (Lice): As lice are usually host specific parasites, you’ll only get to see these if you have an unlucky bout of head lice at your school.
• Hemiptera (True Bugs): True bugs include such insects as cicadas, leafhoppers, shield, assassin, and water bugs. Many are found amongst foliage, inside the stems or leaves or on the bark of both native and introduced plants and trees, but many are also found in ponds, creeks and dams, or even underground, feeding on roots. Most bugs are harmless however some can give you a bite or emit a pungent odour. Careful handling is therefore recommended.
• Thysanoptera (Thrips): are found on flowers and on foliage but may also be found in leaflitter or under the bark of trees.
• Megaloptera (Alderflies): Larvae are found in clear, cold fresh water streams. Adults are usually seen roosting on the vegetation along the edge of the stream. Usually found in mountainous regions.
• Neuroptera (Antlions and Lacewings): Antlion pits can be seen in sandy areas around the edges of buildings. Adult antlions (lacewings) are usually seen at night but as they are attracted to light, you may also see them around outdoor lights where they also predate on other small insects such as moths and mosquitoes. They are also commonly seen perched on vegetation.
• Coleoptera (Beetles): The largest of the insect orders are found in almost any habitat. Ideal habitats for beetles include amongst foliage, visiting flowers (especially native), under and on the bark or trunks of trees, underground, amongst leaflitter, any live, dead or rotting wood, under rocks, amongst grass, paddocks (not forgetting dung piles), flying in the air, around lights, caught in spiderwebs, ponds dams and creeks, etc. They can also sometimes be found in human dwellings such as on the carpet or in stored foods such as grain.
• Mecoptera (Scorpionflies): are restricted to cool moist areas, usually in coastal and mountainous areas.
• Siphonaptera (Fleas): Of course, you probably wont see fleas in your school or local habitat. As fleas are host specific parasites, students (or teachers) may be able to find them at home on their own pets such as dogs or cats.
• Diptera (Flies): This group of insects includes all flies including mosquitoes, gnats, and midges and can be found in a large variety of habitats. Ideal habitats include flying in the air (of course), around garbage and compost bins, visiting flowers and perched on foliage and tree trunks, around lights at night, around ponds, creeks and dams, and caught in spiderwebs. Larvae are usually found amongst leaf litter, compost heaps, garbage bins, dung piles, ponds, dams and creeks, and also sometimes suspended by sticky webs in caves and dark damp rocky areas (such as glow worms).
• Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies): As most butterflies and moths feed on nectar, they are best seen visiting flowers and flying in the air, roosting amongst foliage and on tree trunks and even drinking around water sources such as moist concrete or soil, sprinklers etc. Moths are usually also seen roosting around lights during the day and flying around them at night. Larvae (caterpillars) are usually found amongst the foliage of their host plant but some are borers and bore deep into tree trunks and plant stems. Moths and butterflies are completely harmless however the larvae or ‘caterpillars’ of many species possess sharp spines or urticating hairs, which can cause severe irritation when in contact with skin or eyes. Care when handling or even the use of gloves is recommended.
• Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies):
• Ants can be found in a variety of habitats including manmade buildings, in particular around kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. Basically wherever there is a food and water source. Most ant colonies are found underground however many build their nests under lino and tiles, in wood crevices, under bark, bricks, logs and rocks, amongst leaves, in woven nests, and even sometimes in motor vehicles. Some ants can deliver a painful sting (such as the Bulldog or Jumper ants (Myrmecia spp) or bite such as the Green-headed ant ()
• Native Bees can be seen visiting flowers especially natives such as Westringia and Eucalyptus, but also especially fond of lavenders and rosemary. Some bees are solitary and some are colonial. Many can sting but not all of them! Some make hives in tree hollows, abandoned arboreal termite nests and sometimes in building recesses.
• Honeybees occur around all types of flowers, sometimes nest in old Eucalyptus trees. They are also seen around sweet-smelling rubbish bins and water sources such as bubblers or taps. Honeybees can sting so students should be discouraged from catching them.
• Wasps: Mud and paper wasps build nests amongst shrubs and often around the eaves and window frames of buildings. Some wasp’s nest under ground, and many visit flowers during the day. Most wasps can sting so students should also be discouraged from catching these.
• Sawflies: The larvae of sawflies (also known as spitfires) are often seen feeding on the foliage of Eucalyptus. Sawflies are often seen flying in the air, and roosting on the trunks and foliage of trees. Spitfires can literally ‘spit’ an acidic concoction if disturbed, so students should also be discouraged from catching or handling these.

Activities

Soil Life: Give each student 1-2m² of leaf litter, garden bed or soil to ‘carefully’ forage through to a depth of no more than 10-15cm. See how many different types of mini-beasts they can find and identify.

Arboreal Life: Give each student 1 tree or large shrub and get them to ‘carefully’ search for mini-beasts. Look on leaves, bark, amongst leaf litter on the ground for any other signs of mini-beasts too such as cocoons, holes, chewed leaves, droppings, galls, eggs or egg cases.

Food Chains and Webs: Select a mini-habitat for each student and get them to draw up a small food web or food chains for that habitat. Use the mini-beasts you’ve already spotted to start them off. They may need to do some research on each mini-beast so they know what it eats in order to be able to formulate their food chain or food web.