Be careful not to completely cover the crickets with polish or to polish their heads. After an adequate amount of time has passed, we will return to the cricket habitat and capture another sample. After collecting the crickets, count the total number in the second capture, and the number of crickets marked in the second capture. Students can do population studies of other arthropods, and compare predator and prey populations such as crickets to spiders. Students can use field guides to identify various other insects found in the same habitat as crickets.
Students can research methods of population sampling used for other animals or plants.
Teacher's Notes Cricket activity is proportional to temperature. On chilly damp days they will stay in one place and on warm sunny days they will move constantly. A good temperature to do this lab is around 75oF. Students are usually hesitant at first to catch the crickets, but once they are assured that they do not bite, there is usually heavy competition, who can catch the most crickets. However, if there is a courtyard or grassy playground area with its own population of house crickets, adding extra insects is not necessary. The amount of time between samplings can vary.