Insect life cycles
I can describe the stages in the life cycle of different insects.
Insect life cycles
I can describe the stages in the life cycle of different insects.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Insects are animals, they are living things that grow and reproduce
- The life cycles of different insects can be observed over time and/or researched
- The life cycle of an insect is commonly: egg, larva (young stage), pupa (inactive) and adult stage
- Many insects undergo the greatest changes of all animals, they undergo a complete metamorphosis
- Scientific diagrams are used to show the stages in an insect’s life cycle
Keywords
Insect - An insect is an invertebrate animal that has antennae, six legs and a body divided into segments.
Life cycle - A life cycle is the way in which a living thing changes as it ages.
Larva - Larva is the life cycle stage that some animals go through before metamorphosis into their next form.
Pupa - Inside a pupa, an insect changes from one form to another.
Metamorphosis - Metamorphosis is a major change from one form to another.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that the insect is dead inside the pupa, or that the pupa is not a living thing.
Using the lesson resources to support, explain that the insect is alive and changing inside the pupa, even if the pupa itself doesn't move.
Equipment
Salt dough or similar (optional), access to the internet and/or texts about insect life cycles
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
