Take the Name-a-Bug Challenge

•Study the bug's appearance
•Examine its scientific name
•Read about its characteristics
•Then, concoct the perfect common name for this bug, write a short explanation of your reasoning, and email it

Scientific Name: Phoenicocoris rostratus

			• The white polka dots on this true bug’s head and wings are actually groups of hair. • They’re usually found in wooded areas. • They like to eat Pine trees. • These true bugs are native to the Western U.S. and Canada. (Photo © Schwartz & Stonedahl, 2004)

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An insect’s name often holds clues to its anatomy, habitat, or behavior. All plants and animals have a scientific name and some also possess a common name.

While writing a professional paper, a scientist might identify a buzzing insect as Musca domestica. But if the scientist went to a restaurant and found this insect in her bowl of soup, she’d call it a “common housefly” and complain to the waiter.

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Bug Name  Why is this the perfect name for this bug? <%=why%> First Name Only   Last Initial   Your Age               Choose one ------------ selected <%end if%>>5 selected <%end if%>>6 selected <%end if%>>7 selected <%end if%>>8 selected <%end if%>>9 selected <%end if%>>10 selected <%end if%>>11 selected <%end if%>>12 selected <%end if%>>13 selected <%end if%>>14 selected <%end if%>>15 selected <%end if%>>16 selected <%end if%>>17 States Choose State ------------ selected <%end if%>>Alabama selected <%end if%>>Alaska selected <%end if%>>Arizona selected <%end if%>>Arkansas selected <%end if%>>California selected <%end if%>>Colorado selected <%end if%>>Connecticut selected <%end if%>>Delaware selected <%end if%>>Florida selected <%end if%>>Georgia selected <%end if%>>Hawaii selected <%end if%>>Idaho selected <%end if%>>Illinois selected <%end if%>>Indiana selected <%end if%>>Iowa selected <%end if%>>Kansas selected <%end if%>>Kentucky selected <%end if%>>Louisiana selected <%end if%>>Maine selected <%end if%>>Maryland selected <%end if%>>Massachusetts selected <%end if%>>Michigan selected <%end if%>>Minnesota selected <%end if%>>Mississippi selected <%end if%>>Missouri selected <%end if%>>Montana selected <%end if%>>Nebraska selected <%end if%>>Nevada selected <%end if%>>New Hampshire selected <%end if%>>New Jersey selected <%end if%>>New Mexico selected <%end if%>>New York selected <%end if%>>North Carolina selected <%end if%>>North Dakota selected <%end if%>>Ohio selected <%end if%>>Oklahoma selected <%end if%>>Oregon selected <%end if%>>Pennsylvania selected <%end if%>>Rhode Island selected <%end if%>>South Carolina selected <%end if%>>South Dakota selected <%end if%>>Tennessee selected <%end if%>>Texas selected <%end if%>>Utah selected <%end if%>>Vermont selected <%end if%>>Virginia selected <%end if%>>Washington selected <%end if%>>West Virginia selected <%end if%>>Wisconsin selected <%end if%>>Wyoming ------------ selected <%end if%>>Guam selected <%end if%>>Puerto Rico selected <%end if%>>Virgin Islands ------------ selected <%end if%>>Alberta selected <%end if%>>British Columbia selected <%end if%>>Manitoba selected <%end if%>>New Brunswick selected <%end if%>>Newfoundland selected <%end if%>>Nova Scotia selected <%end if%>>Northwestern Territories selected <%end if%>>Ontario selected <%end if%>>Prince Edward Island selected <%end if%>>Quebec selected <%end if%>>Saskatchewan selected <%end if%>>Yukon selected <%end if%>>Other

Getting Started To help you think of a creative name for this bug, try these tips: • Experiment with different languages: for example, “rouge” means red in French. • Consider prefixes: “tri-” for three, or “mega-” extra large. • Imagine the kind of job this insect might have if it were human. • Read new bug names created by other students.