Minibeast
{{short description|Common term for a small invertebrate}}
File:Aggressive Ant - Camponotus vagus , beetle Vadonia species (V. dojranensis or V. moesiaca) .Cerambycidae (31133452828).jpg carpenter ant encountering a Vadonia beetle]]
In the context of ecological literacy, arthropods and other small invertebrates are often referred to by informal names such as minibeasts, bugs, creepy crawlies (-ie and -y in the singular), or minifauna (contrasting with megafauna).{{cite web
| url = https://kewgardens.org/education/wildlifezone/species/Animal_Invertebrate.html
| title = Kew: Education: Wildlife Zone teachers pack: Species cards: Invertebrates (Minibeasts)
| accessdate = 2006-07-09
| url-status = dead
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070311022136/kewgardens.org/education/wildlifezone/species/Animal_Invertebrate.html
| archivedate = 2007-03-11
}} The term is used for spiders, insects, woodlice, centipedes, slugs, snails, worms and many other animals.
Definition
The United Kingdom–based Young People's Charitable Trust defines them as "small animals" in a factsheet written for young readers.{{cite web
| url = https://yptenc.org.uk/docs/factsheets/env_facts/minibeasts.html
| title = Home {{!}} YPTENC
| website = yptenc.org.uk
| access-date = 2017-05-12
| url-status = dead
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070612072332/yptenc.org.uk/docs/factsheets/env_facts/minibeasts.html
| archivedate = 2007-06-12
}} There is a "Minibeast Zooseum" in Michigan dedicated to invertebrates.{{cite web
| url = https://michigan.org/travel/detail.asp?m=2;4&p=G21702
| title = Minibeast Zooseum and Education Center - Lansing Kids, Science Museum, Zoos/Planetariums - Travel Michigan
| access-date = 2006-07-09
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060719092523/michigan.org/travel/detail.asp?m=2;4&p=G21702
| archive-date = 2006-07-19
| url-status = dead
}}
Minibeasts, as indicated by their name, are generally miniature compared to pets and livestock that people are more often familiar with. The study of minibeasts is common as part of the primary school curriculum. Studying minibeasts is a very effective way to observe many biological concepts first hand, which is not possible with many larger animals. Life cycles, food chains, and bodily structure and function are just some of the basic elements of biological science which can be easily explained using minibeasts. "Bugs Alive!" at Melbourne Museum features a huge number of live minibeasts with detailed information about them, while services such as "Minibeast Wildlife"{{cite web
| url = https://minibeastwildlife.com.au
| title = Minibeast Wildlife - The Mini-Beast Experts
| website = Minibeast Wildlife
| language = en-US
| access-date = 2017-05-12
}} and "Travelbugs" {{cite web
| url = http://mini-beasts.com
| title = Minibeasts : Travelbugs Mobile Mini-beasts
| website = mini-beasts.com
| access-date = 2017-05-12
}} take live minibeasts to school and provide educational resources.
See also
- Damned yellow composite—Numerous difficult-to-identify dandelion-like plants
- Little brown bird
- Little brown mushroom—Difficult-to-identify mushrooms
- Small shelly fauna
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://ncaction.org.uk/search/comment.htm?id=1431 National Curriculum in Action]—Minibeast Tree Diagrams
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20041230031131/wildlifetrust.org.uk/bcnp/education/grafham/5.htm Wildlife Trust]—Minibeast Ride, with National Curriculum considerations
- [http://minibeastwildlife.com.au Minibeast Wildlife]—Minibeast education, resources, and photographs
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070714090148/museumvictoria.com.au/bugs/exhibition/index.aspx Melbourne Museum - Bugs Alive!]—Resources, exhibition information, interactive web games
- [http://mini-beasts.com Travelbugs]—Mobile minibeast education
category:arthropods and humans
{{Insect-stub}}