Outdoor Hour Summer Series: Mosquitoes

(Click on the pic to go to a site with lots of good info.)

We have taken too long a break from our nature studies!  We are joining in on the summer series of weekly studies at Barb’s and this week’s theme is mosquitoes.  We have a lot of experience with this pesky insects, none of it good lol!  We had no problem finding a pool of water outside in which we could observe some “wrigglers” or mosquito larvae.

Ugh!  A close up of the larvae in our observation jar.  We learned that they go to the top of the water and stick out a breathing hole to breath.

I like this shot because you can see ds3 in the reflection.

They really enjoyed watching the wrigglers do their thing.  After we did our observations we discussed how only female mosquitoes bite and why (they need blood for laying eggs) and some ways in which we can avoid the pests and prevent their infestation.

  Then, all in the name of science, I showed off the huge welt I get when a mosquito bites me.  Yep, I’m one of “those people” who mosquitoes love.  Lucky me.  ;)  Ds3 could really relate to the allergic reaction, as he just had allergy testing done and knew of my pain.

I think this was a perfect start to our summer nature studies…not all nature is pretty, folks!  Head over to Barb’s site to read more about the Outdoor Hour and many, many other ways to incorporate nature study into your homeschooling.