Tinker Nature Park is a 68 acre, handicapaccessible park. It features a 1.2 milewalking/exercise trail, a 1/2 mile naturetrail, and several museums on theproperty.

In 1994, Henry Hansen made possiblethe purchase of a log cabin buildingwhich became the Hansen NatureCenter. In 1998, he provided funds forthe building of an addition which morethan doubled the Nature Center’s size.The nature center features displays onthe Natural History of New York andoffers classes year round.

T I N K E R N A T U R E P A R K bug hunt!

J U L Y 2 4T I N K E R N A T U R E P A R K

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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T SGlossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Build a Bug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Insect Wordsearch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Insect Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Barrage of Beetles! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Butterflies and Moths of Tinker . . . . . 8

C D

E F

G H

Adaptations- special traits animal species develop over time tohelp the species survive in their environmentClassification- process of grouping plants and animals accordingto shared qualities or characteristics into smaller and morespecific groupsDiurnal- active mostly during the dayFood chain- the transfer of food energy from plants through aseries of animalsHabitat- area that has the food, water, shelter/cover, and spacearranged in a way that meets an animal's needsHerbivore- animals that eat mostly plantsLarva- the early form of an animal that looks very different froman adult (eg: tadpole, caterpillar) Metamorphosis- the process of transformation from animmature form to an adult in two or more distinct stages.Incomplete metamorphosis involves the larval/nymphal stage ofthe bug molting and increasing in size until it reaches adulthood. Nocturnal- active mostly at nightPredator- an animal that specifically hunts for foodProboscis- an elongated sucking mouthpart that is typicallytubular and flexible.Pronotum- prominent plate-like structure that covers all or partof the thorax of some insectsScavenge- to search through material for edible or useful things

B U T T E R F L I E S A N D M O T H S O F T I N K E R

A B

A Isabella Tiger Moth Pyrrharctia isabella - you might recognize theirfamous larva- the "woolly bear" caterpillarB Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta - stinging nettle is a favorite hostplant for the larvae C Tent Caterpillar Moth Papilio troilus - Known for communal "tents"the caterpillars build in trees to hide from predatorsD Apple Sphinx Moth Colias philodice - despite the name, actuallyprefers shrubs like dogbane and leatherleafE Great Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele - pictured is a male,females are a much darker shade of brown and have a cream coloredband at the edge of their wingsF Cecropia Moth Hyalophora cecropia - adult moths do not havemouthsG Monarch Danaus plexippus - named for England’s King William III;with his secondary title "the Prince of Orange", corresponding to themain shade of the butterfly's wings.H Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus - eat a lot of things apart fromflower nectar like carrion, urine and dung

G L O S S A R Y

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B A R R A G E O F B E E T L E S

Build a Bug!

A Lightning Bug (Eastern Firefly) Photinus pyralis - larva eatsnails and slugs! The adults light up at night! Different speciesblink at different speeds.B Dogbane Leaf Beetle Chrysochus auratus - dogbane plantsare toxic, but this beetle can feed on them C Striped Cucumber Beetle Acalymma vittatum - will snack onany gourd or squash, not just cucumber!D Dogwood Calligrapha Beetle Calligrapha philadelphica -There are 38 recognized Calligrapha species, and each one isunique! They get their name due to the intricate markings ontheir pronotums.E Soft-winged Flower Beetle Anthocomus equestris -introduced species of beetle, although it's not a pest. Adultbeetles are predators of smaller insectsF Seven Spotted Lady Beetle Coccinella septempunctata -famously terrifying larvae are voracious aphid eaters

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W H A T M A K E S A NI N S E C T ?

head- where the eyes, mouth,and antennae are attachedthorax- where the wings andlegs are attachedabdomen- where all theorgans are located

Segmented Body- three parts

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A B

C D

E F

What about bugs?Bugs have their own

classification! "True Bugs" havedifferences that separate them

from insects- such as rigidproboscises, and an incomplete

metamorphosis.

Wings- usually four total

Three pairs of jointed legs- six total

External skeleton

Antennae- two total

Complete Metamorphosis

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