Insects in ecosystems
Insects in ecosystems: the many roles insects play. Pollinators (bees, butterflies, hoverflies), decomposers (dung beetles, fly larvae), food source for birds, bats, fish, and frogs, and pest controllers (ladybirds eating aphids). The thought experiment: what would happen if all insects disappeared?
Typical age: 9–11 years
“If you asked your child what would happen if all the insects in the world disappeared tomorrow, could they explain the chain of problems that would cause — for plants, animals, and people?”
0 / 3 mastered
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Needs first
- Food Chains & Energy Transfer
Curriculum food-chains knowledge (producers/predators/prey) provides foundation for understanding full insect ecosystem roles
- Minibeasts in the food chainREQUIRED
Must understand simple food chains before studying complex ecosystem roles
- Bees and pollinationREQUIRED
Must understand pollination before studying insects' full range of ecosystem roles