A moistened sponge or test tube with water, stoppered with cotton will provide enough moisture. Praying mantids can be found in the fall, and are easily fed with a supply of crickets, which can be purchased from a bait shop. Have water available. Make sure the lid is secure-these are fairly strong and clever. A new species, Harmonia axyridis , tends to overwinter in garages, barns and homes, and becomes active on sunny days, so they can be collected in the winter.
Ladybugs feed on aphids and other small soft-bodied insects.
Local greenhouses or garden shops may be willing to provide pest insects or insect-infested plants, or try feeding them very small mealworm larvae, from bait shops. Identify the plant it is feeding on before collecting the caterpillar. Bring a fair amount of the plant material into the classroom with the caterpillar. Place a stem in a cotton-stoppered test tube with water, and if possible wind a small piece of plastic wrap or parafilm around the top of the vial to decrease evaporation. Store extra plant material in the refrigerator.