Virtual Information Inquiry: Caterpillars of Capitol Reef National Park: An Inquiry

Caterpillars of Capitol Reef National Park: An Inquiry

Before exploring the inquiry projects of children and young adults, think about your own inquiry process. What motivates you to seek information and ideas? The following example is a quick glimpse at how quickly every day activities can turn into inquiry-rich learning experiences.

Get outdoors. Open your eyes.

Since reading Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, I've been thinking a lot about the importance of maintaining a connection with nature. My husband and I carry our digital camera practically everywhere we go to record fascinating encounters with the natural world.

Last fall while driving the backroads of Capitol Reef National Park, we stopped to photograph Ackland Spring in Hartnet Draw that had been used by American Indians and local ranchers for hundreds of years. On the way back to the car, we encountered a bright blue caterpillar. The larva was crawling along a wash between the road and the spring.

I wonder... When we looked closer we were fascinated by the ants that were crawling on the caterpillar and wondered whether the larvae was being hurt by the ants.

I question... What kind of butterfly larvae is this? What will it look like as a butterfly? What kind of ants are these? What's the relationship between the ants and the caterpillar?

caterpillar

I explore... After downloading our video and still photographs, we start our investigation. We search for caterpillars in Utah. We compare our caterpillars with databases and Google images. We get frustrated because we're unable to find the name of our caterpillar. I begin sending emails to webmasters to see if anyone can help me identify my caterpillar.

I read, question, explore some more... The Utah Bug Club describes the symbiotic relationship between Lycaenidae (Gossamer-wing butterfly) caterpillars and ants. Is my caterpillar a member of the lycaenidae family?The article cites the book The Ants by Holldobler and Wilson (1990). I have a book of essays by E.O. Wilson called Nature Revealed: Selected Writings 1949-2006. I scan the chapters and read articles about ants and their encounters with other creatures.

As I get deeper into my inquiry, I become less worried about the name of my caterpillar and more interested in the relationship between the two tiny creatures.

I explore some more ... I search for information on the topic of myrmecophile, an organism with a mutualistic association with ants.

I assimilate and infer... Although I'm not sure about the specific name of my caterpillar, it seems to have a mutualistic relationship with the ants. As I look closer by zooming into my photograph, I examine the secretion glands on the caterpillar. When I compare my photos of the caterpillar and ants with photos and diagrams online, they look very similar.

One inquiry leads to other inquires...

I question and explore, I assimilate and infer... What other relationships in nature have I photographed?

As I look over my photographs taken in southern Arizona this winter, I begin thinking about the relationship between plants and animals. I reflect on what I know about desert ecology. Was a javelina nibbling the cactus in the photo on the right?

I assimilate... I see relationships in nature everywhere.

I infer... When a species dies, what's the long term impact?

I question... How do we help people to understand their impact on nature?

Caterpillars of Capitol Reef National Park: An Inquiry

One inquiry leads to other inquires...

Other inquiries leads to deeper questions...