Science Fenns K-5Grades K to 5
A beetle larva, a pupa, an adult beetle and a cricket nymph shown side by side on a leaf in a garden.

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Insect Life Cycles

Beetles and crickets compared.

Lesson 40 of 41

Try this first

Before we start

Today’s story

Insect Life Cycles

Turn over a rotten log. You may find a pale worm-like creature. It is not a worm. It may be a baby beetle. Beetles and crickets both start as eggs. But they grow up in different ways.

A beetle goes through four stages. Egg, larva, pupa and adult. This is complete metamorphosis. A cricket goes through three. Egg, nymph and adult. A nymph looks like a small adult. This is incomplete metamorphosis.

A life cycle is the set of stages in an animal's life. Comparing cycles shows what is the same and what is different. Here are the steps.

See it

Five steps. Every time.

    Hands on

    Life Cycle Wheels

    25 minutes · Do this with a grown-up nearby

    You need

    • Two paper plates
    • Markers
    • Scissors
    • Glue
    • A pencil
    • Pictures of insects

    Do this

    1. Draw a circle of stages on a paper plate for a beetle.
    2. Draw a circle of stages on the second plate for a cricket.
    3. Label each stage.
    4. Add arrows to show the order.
    5. Color the stages.
    6. Compare the plates and list two same, two different.
    Write or draw: Two life cycle wheels and a same and different list.

    Watch for: Notice that the beetle has a stage the cricket lacks. Notice both start with eggs.

    Safety: Use blunt scissors with care. Do not handle live insects without an adult.

    Same every time

    Three rules

    Rule 1Cycles repeat.

    Adults lay eggs.

    Rule 2Compare same and different.

    Use words like both and only.

    Rule 3Draw it.

    Pictures help.

    Grandpa Fenn’s notebook

    Say it like a scientist

    life cycle
    The stages an animal goes through in its life.
    larva
    A young beetle that looks like a worm.
    pupa
    The resting stage where a larva changes.
    nymph
    A young insect that looks like a small adult.

    Poppy’s quiz

    Six questions

    Tap an answer. Green means right. You will see why.

    Talk about it

    Say it out loud

    • How do you know an insect is a baby and not a different animal? What would you look for?
    • Where around your home might you find beetles or crickets?
    Did you know

    A cricket sheds its skin several times as it grows.

    Someone who does this

    An entomologist studies insects and how they live.

    BeforeOutside StructuresNext lessonPlant Life Cycles