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Mini-Beasts

The topics below are basic guides to show the different themes that can be used on a site visit to the Lickey Hills. They are not restrictive and can be adapted to suit your needs. For any further information please contact the rangers at the visitor centre.

Discover the world of mini-beasts through:

Mini-Beast safaris Food Chains Life Cycles
Mini-Beast safaris
On a safari a collection of mini-beasts is found and using simple classification we determine the orders of mini-beasts you find. 

Below is an example of the classification order of an Orange-tip butterfly. This can be found from observations based around using a key.

Click on the bug to view an interactive game to help reinforce this topic.

Click to go to classification activity

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Food-Chains
Mini-beasts are an important part of the food chain as they are often the link between the energy found in plants and larger animals. They are also important in the breakdown of organic material. The chains are often related to the habitats where the creatures are found e.g. Woodland.

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Life Cycles
Insects usually go through 4 separate life stages:
Eggs Larva or Nymph Pupa Adult

The life cycles of insects can be split into two main categories:

Complete Metamorphosis

Complete metamorphosis is typical of beetles, flies Butterflies and wasps.

  • The young do not look like the adults

  • They also often live in different habitats and feed on different things.

 

 Incomplete Metamorphosis

Incomplete metamorphosis is typical of true bugs and grasshoppers.

  • The young look like the adults 

  • They  usually live in similar habitats and eat similar food.

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