Prerequsitites for the Insect Study Merit Badge

All requirements for the Insert Study merit badge are listed at this link: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Insect_Study. Your prerequisite for this badge is to start the 4th, 5th and 7th requirements. We will be identifying insects are the Farm however, we may not get the total number done.

4. Do the following:

a. Observe 20 different live species of insects in their habitat. In your observations, include at least four orders of insects.

b. Make a scrapbook of the 20 insects you observe in 4a. Include photographs, sketches, illustrations, and articles. Label each insect with its common and scientific names, where possible. Share your scrapbook with your merit badge counselor.

5. Do the following:

a. From your scrapbook collection, identify three species of insects helpful to humans and five species of insects harmful to humans.

b. Describe some general methods of insect control. 

7. Raise an insect through the complete metamorphosis from its larval stage to its adult stage (e.g. raise a butterfly or moth from a caterpillar). * 


* Some insects are endangered species and are protected by federal or state law. Every species is found only in its own special type of habitat. Be sure to check natural resources authorities in advance to be sure that you will not be collecting any species that is known to be protected or endangered, or in any habitat where collecting is prohibited. In most cases, all specimens should be returned at the location of capture after the requirement is met. Check with your merit badge counselor for those instances where the return of these specimens would not be appropriate.

The scrapbook can be a spiral or composition notebook that would be used in school or you can get a true water-proof field notebook (pricy). You should begin your observations of 20 insects in that notebook and bring it to the camp with you. Should you have questions, please feel free to contact Norm Bedwell at chapmantrain@gmail.com or home phone 919 331-8055, office 919 531-1066 or cell 919 285-5864.