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Minibeasts
We did some research on
minibeasts…..
Knockconan NS 2010
Worms
Myriapods
(centipedes/
millipedes)
Insects
Crustaceans
(woodlice)
Minibeasts!
Arachnids
(spiders)
Molluscs
(slugs and snails)
All of these creepy crawlies can be called minibeasts!
What do minibeasts have in common?
They do not have a backbone (spine)
They are called invertebrates
(Like all mammals we have a backbone so we are called
vertebrates)
They have an outer body skeleton. As well as keeping
the body solid, it also helps to protect them from harm.
How to identify a minibeast
• Use a ‘key’ or a wildlife book
• Count the legs and follow this rule:
0 legs = Worms, slugs and snails
6 legs = insects
8 legs = spiders
14 legs = woodlice
More than 14 legs = centipedes and millipedes
Snails
• Snails live in damp places, among plants and under
stones
• They are molluscs
• In very dry weather snails pull their bodies inside
their shells and the slimy mucus forms a plug.
• There are about 8,000
different species (types)
of millipede.
• They live in the soil and
feed mainly on rotting
plants.
• Some can curl into balls!
• Millipedes have two pairs
of legs on each segment
but most have about a
hundred legs (despite
their name meaning
“thousand legs!)
• Centipedes are good
hunters. They come out
at night and feed on
animals such as slugs,
woodlice and earwigs.
• They kill their prey
with poison!
• Giant centipedes which
over 30cm long live in
rainforests.
• Caterpillars are the
young of butterflies
and moths.
• They feed on leaves.
• When a caterpillar is
fully grown it becomes
a pupa.
• Earwigs eat small
flies or plants.
• The pincers on
their abdomen are
for grasping their
prey and defending
themselves.
• There are many
species of fly.
• The larvae (young) is
known as a maggot.
• Flies have one pair of
wings, and a second
very small pair called
halteres, to help them
balance.
• Bees feed on pollen and nectar.
• This is then turned into honey for the larvae (the
young)
• Different bees have different jobs.
• Drones are males whose only job is to mate with the
Queen. Then they die.
• The Queen lays eggs.
• Worker bees who are undeveloped females, find
food and look after the young.
Dragonflies
• Dragonflies and
damsel flies live near
water.
• Their young, called
nymphs, live in the
water.
• They are predators and
eat small insects,
tadpoles and small fish
Beetles
• There are more
species of beetle than
there are of plants or
any other animals.
• Beetles have hard wing
cases and their bodes
are divided into three
sections; head, thorax
and abdomen.
• Ladybirds are small
beetles.
• There are different
species of ladybirds
which have different
numbers of spots.
• The 13 spot ladybird
is thought to be
extinct.
Mosquitoes
• Mosquitoes are
blood sucking flies.
• Some mosquitoes
carry the fatal
malaria disease.
• They are not
thought to be
harmful in Ireland.
Worms
• Earthworms live in soil all
over the world.
• Some grow to over 3m
long
• They have segmented
bodies with bristles to
help them grip the soil
and move along.
• Earthworms eat rotting
matter and soil and they
help to aerate the soil so
gardeners and farmers
love them!
Spiders
• Spiders are
arachnids.
• They eat flies and
other insect pests.
• Some spiders can
be deadly.
• Spiders in Ireland
are harmless
Where can you find minibeasts?
Lots of places!
soil
leaf litter
rotten logs
under stones and bits of wood
on trees and bushes
How do you find minbeasts?
You have to look very carefully!
Many minibeasts use camouflage to protect themselves
This means they try to look
like part of their habitat
(the place where they live)
Be careful
Be gentle
If you pick up a minibeast remember to put it
back where you found it