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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Minibeast Life Cycles

    Minibeast Life Cycles

    June 1, 2015 By Emma Vanstone 1 Comment

    What are Minibeasts?

    Minibeasts are basically small invertebrate ( without a backbone ) animals, examples of minibeasts are spiders, slugs, beetles, butterflies, earwigs and lots more. Did you know that Britain has over 25,000 species of known invertebrates?

    Properties of invertebrate animals

    As invertebrates don’t have a skeleton they are usually soft and bend easily, which makes them quite vulnerable so some species have a shell to live in, like a snail, or a harder outer skeleton ( exoskeleton ) which protects their soft body.

    Butterfly on child's hand

    Why are Minibeasts useful?

    Some Minibeasts are decomposers, they feed on dead leaves as well as other waste matter, releasing nutrients into the soil which can then be absorbed easily by plants.

    Bees, Butterflies and Moths spread pollen which fertilises flowers.

    Minibeasts are an important part of the food chain and are eaten by birds and other small mammals.

    Minibeast Life Cycles

    Butterfly Life Cycle

    What is Metamorphosis?

    Did you know Butterflies and Moths have 4 separate stages to their life cycle, each of which look very different and have a different purpose. There is a distinct change in the animal’s body structure between stages which we call metamorphosis.

    The egg

    The egg is a tiny and round, the female Butterfly attaches it to a leaf or stem on or near food.

    Caterpillar

    The Caterpillar, also known as larva, looks a little bit like a small worm and often has stripes and spine like hairs. Caterpillars grow very quickly , shedding their skin several times along the way.

    The Chrysalis

    The Chrysalis or Pupa is the stage where the caterpillar structure is broken down and the adult Butterfly or Moth structures are formed.

    Butterfly or Moth

    This is the adult stage, Butterflies are much more mobile than caterpillars and also mate and lay eggs.

    Make your own Butterfly Spin Wheel

    To illustrate the life cycle we made a spin wheel.

    Materials

    Two circles of cardboard one smaller than the other

    Split Pin

    Felt tips

    butterfly life cycle

    Instructions

    Cut a window into your smaller circle.

    Draw the life cycle on the larger circle.

    Attach together with a split pin.

    Butterfly life cycle

    Minibeasts and their life cycles

    Butterfly Life Cycle

    Buggy and Buddy have a gorgeous paper plate butterfly life cycle.

    butterfly-life-cycle

    We love this pasta butterfly lifecycle from Mama Miss as well.

    Don’t forget we have a fun edible butterfly life cycle activity too!

    Edible Butterfly Life cycle
    Edible Butterfly Life Cycle

    Ant Life Cycle

    This ant life cycle craft is just lovely from Stir the Wonder.

    Ant-Life-Cycle-Craft

    Easy Bug House

    Did you know you can make an easy bug house using just an empty drinks bottle and some sticks? This one from Red Ted Art looks great.

    Bug House

    Homemade Wormery

    A homemade wormery is a great way to learn about worms.

    DIY Wormery

    Frog life Cycle

    Do you like our frog life cycle?

    Frog life cycle
    Image of lots of minibeasts and a butterfly life cycle paper plate

    Last Updated on March 10, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. angela

      September 30, 2018 at 10:48 am

      fabulous!

      Reply

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