One of the most humane ways to kill most arthropods is to put them in the freezer. Put the specimen in a container that cannot be crushed or you can do a set of them, one per bag, in a small box to keep them separate from your other freezer items.

This method may take more than one day and may not kill all arthropods, such as wood lice or centipedes, as some are in their adult form through the winter and are often subjected to freezing temperatures. For those organisms, the only way to insure they are dead is to drop them into alcohol. This method has its drawbacks in that it typically leaches some of the color from specimens but you then have your specimen ready to place in a vial (which is the best method of preserving arthropods like wood lice that typically cannot be pinned anyway).

A killing jar can also be used. For more information on various killing methods, there is an excellent website from the Texas A&M Extension: https://bughunter.tamu.edu/preservation/killingspecimens/

Yes, however the specimens must be distinct. The photo collection may not contain pictures of the pinned collection specimens.

Yes.  But the specimens must be new.

Students are asked to “collect” their own specimens either through photographs or pinning. Taking a picture of a professionally mounted specimen would not be accepted.

No, not any team members.

Only team members who are actively studying the Arthropod event, including Alternate team members may collect specimens. 

Adults are not team members.

Specimens also must be collected or photographed within the year prior to the Regional competition.

Sorry, we do not.

We support the idea of "learning by doing”.  For the more difficult anatomical features the Supervisor has already provided a definition.

The Arthropod Species workbook indicates that each species should be recognized as either Native or Non-Native. And if the species is in fact Non-Native, is it Invasive.

Teams should expect to receive a scoring summary when they pick up their collection on tournament day.

No.

If a student includes more than 30 unique specimens, they will not all be evaluated.  They should present their best effort with the 30 that are included.

Yes, you may use insect vials for displaying soft-bodied specimens, and very small specimens.

Do not use the vials for other specimens.

The study guide provides a specific list of Classes and Orders with which students should be familiar.

In addition, there is a narrow list of species, for which students should know in regards to naming. 

That is, the Class and Order to which they belong, and their scientific name (which also happens to be the Genus & Species of the insect). 

A poster board is not the only option, as described in the study guide:

"The collection should be housed in a photo album or combined onto a poster (not to exceed 24”x36”) or otherwise professionally put together.  For instance, a bunch of printed pictures paper clipped together is NOT acceptable."

Handwritten notes (assuming they are legible) will be graded the same as typed.  

Unfortunately, no.  The hissing Madagascar cockroach is not native to Michigan.

Duplicates only pertain to the same species. Two different species of butterfly each count as separate specimens.  In contrast, two monarch butterflies would only be counted for one.

Please list your school name, team number, and student names on your collection.

There will be a time posted in the final tournament schedule for collection pickup, after they have been judged and scores reported.

Yes, worker bees and ants are in the adult phase, and would be accepted in a specimen collection.

Most resources (referenced below) state there are five pairs of walking legs (pereiopods), the first of which are equipped with pincers (chelae) and are also called chelipeds.

USDA Forest Service glossary: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ouachita/home/?cid=fsm9_039767 (see entries for cheliped and pereiopod)

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station Crayfish page: https://uwm.edu/field-station/crayfish/

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Crayfish Glossary:  
https://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/Species/Crustaceans/Crayfish-Glossary

No.

The order of precedence is:

  1) the event rules (which includes what is posted here in the FAQ)

  2) the study guide

  3) information found elsewhere, including at links we have posted

Quite a few larval stages look very similar, making them difficult to identify.

Any immature specimens of species which would undergo either complete or incomplete metamorphosis will not be accepted.  That would include the Dragonfly which is an example of a species which undergoes incomplete metamorphosis.

However, an immature specimen of a species which undergoes gradual metamorphosis will be accepted. 

Students are not required to know the suborder level of detail.

Students should be familiar with habitats, what they eat, the time of year they are active, the type of metamorphosis, and their ecological role (free living, parasite, etc.).

Duplicate specimens will not be awarded points.

As long as the captive critter could be found outdoors naturally in the Great Lakes region.

No.  The practice competitions will only include  the Part 1 multiple choice test.  Students should not bring their specimen collection to the practice tournament because they will not be evaluated.  We are not able to ensure consistent feedback across all practice tournaments.

Yes. However, the students will not receive any of the possible 108 points (~30% of overall) awarded for the collection portion.

Yes.  A dead specimen can be used in your collection provided that the specimen is not missing vital body parts that are required in identifying.

No.  At all station-based events, students are expected to stay at their current station until they are told to move, regardless of whether they have finished the questions, or whether the station in front of them is open.

No.  In the process of judging the specimen collection, the Supervisor will want to be able to open it, and possibly remove a specimen.  Using a box that does not open will limit the Supervisor's ability to award full points.

They should know the juvenile forms of the insects listed by name. They should also be able to identify, if shown a juvenile or adult specimen, which form metamorphosis it goes through.

If a pin can go through it without destroying the specimen, use the pin. If it's too small for a pin or not relaxing and you are nervous the specimen would crumble, a paper tab would suffice. Make certain that the materials used are stiff and will not allow the insect to wiggle and bounce around, and be destroyed.

No, only one per team will be accepted.

Questions may focus on Carolus Linneaus and the hierarchical naming system that he created.

Yes you may, provided that the specimens are from our local region.  

No it does not.

No. Please do not bring your insect collection to the practice tournament.

The Event Supervisor will not consistently attend the practice events and there may be no one present with Entomology experience.