With a little experience, beginners can quickly learn characteristics of the more important orders of insects. A reasonably simple key to insert orders is included in the University of California leaflet listed for this topic. Insects can be found almost everywhere. Look under logs, rocks and debris. A butterfly net can be swept through grasses and branches to dislodge and collect insects.
Light attracts insects at night.
C. Killing insects is easily done with simple equipment. A killing jar can be constructed quickly, using a wide mouth glass jar, plaster of paris and addition of ethyl acetate as the killing agent. Hard bodied insects can be mounted on a pin. D. Mounting insects is rewarding, but it takes time and care. Large-winged insects are best preserved by placing them on a spreading board.