In this activity children learn about the life cycle and the food chain of the ladybird and its use in organic farming.
Description
British crop scientists have been awarded £13.3m for a series of research projects. Wheat plants are destroyed by insects that damage the root or the top of plants. This can affect our food supply. Scientists are trying to improve the resistance of these wheat plants. However at the same time the insects are adapting to overcome these defence mechanisms. Ladybirds are used as a beneficial insect to consume the cereal aphids that cause so much damage.
Children will learn about the life cycle and the food chain of the ladybird and its use in organic farming.
Learning Objective:
- some of the advantages and disadvantages of chemical solutions to pest control
Children will learn:
- the life cycle of the ladybird and how this produces beneficial predators
- the food chain of the ladybird and how this affects aphids
- that commercial farmers have an ongoing battle with pest control and how there is more than one potential solution to the problem
These resources were initially developed in partnership with the Centre for Science Education, Sheffield Hallam University.
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