AE/MS second graders have been studying about insects this fall. First, they observed and learned all about complete metamorphosis by raising pet mealworms through all stages to the final adult stage of darkling beetle. They also made habitats for and raised milkweed bugs from eggs. The eggs were difficult to see unless the students looked through a microscope. Milkweed bugs go through incomplete metamorphosis: a nymph hatches from the egg and just sheds and grows bigger, continuing to shed until it reaches its adult size. In this photo, Daniel Shedd releases the adult milkweed bugs from the habitat while Anna Warzocha, Ollie Grotnes, Emma Raymond, and Liam Fecteau assist. Caption and photo: Gretchen Hildebrand
