Entomology (Bug identification)
This is a CORE KNOWLEDGE (test) event. Content knowledge test based on insect identification. This is a new event for 2025. Up to 2 people per team.
Core Knowledge Event: An event where participants are given a set of topics that they are expected to research and master the factual content. Mastery is demonstrated at a tournament by taking a paper-pencil, station, or computer test.
Entomology is in the Life, Personal & Social Science category.
SciOly 2025 ChatBot
- Ask School AI ChatBot about SciOlyThe rules of each of the events can be hard to understand. If you have a question, want some study tips, ask this school-approved chatbot. Please use your real name when you begin the conversation.
Official Science Olympiad Website
- Science Olympiad Website (Nationwide) Here you'll find more resources and all the official information about the national tournament and its rules. Please note, we are Division B (middle school), part of the Lower Hudson Regional tournament, which is held in Scarsdale, NY, so dates and times for our events will differ but rules are the same.
- Lower Hudson Regional Science Olympiad Competition Website Information about the regional competition in Scarsdale will be posted here.
Books on Insects @ HCC Library
These books are in on a cart in the library. If you want to bring one home to read more, just ask where the Science Olympiad books are!
Classifying Insects by Call Number: 595.7 SOLISBN: 1403408491Publication Date: 2003HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ENTOMOLOGY STUDENTS! What makes an insect an insect? How is a ladybug different from a butterfly? What is metamorphosis? Classifying Living Things investigates how and why we group animals.
Eye Wonder - Bugs by Call Number: 597.5 YORISBN: 0789485524Publication Date: 2002ANOTHER GREAT BOOK FOR ENTOMOLOGY STUDENTS!
Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Insects by Call Number: 595.7 RomISBN: 1426327412Publication Date: 2017A fun, photo-filled, and fact-packed guide to insects, with only one page of info per species. Great way to boost your identification skills!
The Beetle Book by Call Number: 595.76 JENISBN: 0547680848Publication Date: 2012Lots of awesome visuals to help you learn about the largest population of insects out there: Beetles!- Insect byCall Number: 595.7 MOUISBN: 1590546067Publication Date: 2001DK's famous "Eyewitness" series tackles insects with lots of pictures and browsable information.
The Bug Encyclopedia by Call Number: 595.7 MARISBN: 1532198744Publication Date: 2022-08-01Readers will get an in-depth look at 90 fascinating species that include different insects, centipedes, millipedes, and arachnids. Alongside vivid pictures highlighting the creature's appearance, readers will learn about each of these creepy-crawly creature's behaviors, range, habitat, and diet. Features include a glossary, additional resources, and an index.
Insects by Call Number: 595.7 JENISBN: 1328850994Publication Date: 2020Packed with fascinating infographics and full-color art; a fun and browseable way to learn about insects.
Insects and Arachnids by Call Number: 595.7 MOOISBN: 1532196970Publication Date: 2021This field guide has 100 entries highlighting a variety of insects and arachnids, each on a single page.
Butterflies by Call Number: 595.78 LANISBN: 1532198817Publication Date: 2022This field guide highlights 100 butterflies found throughout the world, each on a single page.
Grzimek's Student Animal Life Resource by Call Number: 595.7 EVAISBN: 0787692441Publication Date: 20052- volume reference book that gives complete information about insects grouped by their Phylum, Subclass, Order, and species.
Official SciOly 2025 Rules
- Entomology RulesView the rules for Entomology only in this PDF. Use your school Google account to access.
- Official Rules for Division B Science Olympiad Use your school Google account to access this document with all the official rules for Division B (middle school) Science Olympiad 2025 for all events.
- Rules Revisions & Rules Clarifications Any changes to the rules that are necessary but published after the official rules were released are published here. Check your event to see if any rules changes have been made before the competitions. You can also use the "Rules Clarification" form here to ask a clarifying question and a real judge will respond.
Helpful Resources
- Entomology resource page on the Official Science Olympiad WebsiteDescriptions, practice tests, and more from the official Science Olympiad national site.
- ENTOMOLGY WIKI on SciOly WikiContains some helpful tips to help study for the Entomology event.
- FactCite Database: Insect landing pageKid-friendly text and pictures about insects from a trustworthy site.
- BugGuide.netA crowd-sourced site with pictures, identification help, and classification information.
- North American Insects and Spiders Encyclopedia*Jump Scare Warning* The bug pictures are really large and detailed! But excellent quality. Use the "Insects" drop-down menu from the top to see different categories.
- "Introduction to Arthropods: Insects" from Amateur Entomologists' SocietyThis is a great introduction to the study of entomology, with excellent diagrams.
- Entomology 2015 Slides from SciOly pageUse these slides to study for Entomology.
- Arizona State University's Ask a Biologist: TRUE BUGSA fun, kid-friendly website about what makes a true bug. Contains a video, puzzles, games etc.
- Biology Principles -- See pages 9-11See Pages 9-11 for useful information to help you study for the Entomology event.
- "Label the Insect" Interactive activityTest your knowledge of insect body parts and check your work.
- 2014 B/C Entomology Practice TestPractice test From the SciOly Wiki By: raphaelthepotato
- Practice Test: Twirlfs’ 2014 Entomology TestScience Olympiad Summer Study
Session: Twirlfs’ 2014 Entomology Test KEY
From SciOly Wiki - 2015 Entomology Practice TestFrom the SciOly Wiki. No answer key found.
- Insect Orders Flashcards in QuizletDo not log in!
- Science Olympiad practice questions on QuizletDo not sign in to Quizlet.
Insect Classification
Dichotomous Keys
- Dichotomous Key to Insect Orders (Adult specimens)Use this dichotomous key to identify insects.
Source: https://eco-bio-felts.weebly.com/ - Hokie BugCamp Key to Insect OrdersThis key was made specifically for Hokie BugCamp and to identify insects caught on
Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus. There are MANY insects that this key does not cover
because they are either not common to Blacksburg or they are too small to pin for an
insect collection.
eBooks on Insects
- The Bug Encyclopedia by Call Number: 595.7 MARISBN: 1532198744Publication Date: 2022-08-01Readers will get an in-depth look at 90 fascinating species that include different insects, centipedes, millipedes, and arachnids. Alongside vivid pictures highlighting the creature's appearance, readers will learn about each of these creepy-crawly creature's behaviors, range, habitat, and diet. Features include a glossary, additional resources, and an index.
How to Build an Insect by 
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ISBN: 1541578112Publication Date: 2021In the pages of this book, you'll find a workshop filled with everything you need, including a head, a thorax, an abdomen, and much more.
Insect Superpowers by - This link opens in a new window
ISBN: 1452139105Publication Date: 2019-11-05Head-to-head combat! Astounding weapons! Extraordinary skills! Within the pages of this book, 18 awesomely real insect superheroes and supervillains come to life, each possessing powers far beyond the average human (or bug). Meet the Malevolent Mimic, who wickedly disguises itself as a harmless pink orchid, only to shred unsuspecting butterflies! Or the Great Glue Shooter, who can shoot a smelly glue- from its face! Award-winning nonfiction author Kate Messner teams up with the talented Jillian Nickell in this action-packed comic-inspired exploration of the incredible TRUE insect abilities found in the natural world.
Innumerable Insects by - This link opens in a new window
ISBN: 1454923237Publication Date: 2018To date, we have discovered and described or named around 1.1 million insect species, and thousands of new species are added to the ranks every year. It is estimated that there are around five million insect species on Earth, making them the most diverse lineage of all life by far. This magnificent volume from the American Museum of Natural History tells their incredible story. Noted entomologist Michael S. Engel explores insects' evolution and diversity; metamorphosis; pests, parasites, and plagues; society and language; camouflage; and pollination--as well as tales of discovery by intrepid entomologists.
