ACTIVITY 25

Stamp of Approval

Teaching Objectives:

1. Students will research the depiction of insects on postage stamps from around the world.
2. Students will collect actual or pictorial representatives of stamps with insects depicted on them.
3. Students will recognize that postage stamps reflect the times and places in which they are designed.
4. Students will locate the countries from which the stamps come on a map of the world.
5. Students will research and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of insect management through the use of pesticides and insecticides.
6. Students will research alternative (non-chemical) methods of insect control.

Materials Needed:

• Hamel, Dennis R. "Insects on Stamps." Vol. 36 No. 4 (Winter 1990), American Entomology, pages, 273-281
• Grieshop, James. I. "Pest Management and Postage Stamps: Licking Pests." Vol. 36 No.4 (Winter 1990), American Entomology, pages 283-287
• Stamp books from home, school, or other libraries
• Information on insect control from books, pamphlets, the Internet, or other sources
• Large map of the world

Procedure:

Locate the two magazine articles listed above at a local library or through inter-library loan. Discuss the facts contained in the articles with the class.

Challenge the students to locate stamps with insects depicted on them; provide the students with the information about the stamps mentioned in the articles. Students may locate either pictures of the stamps or the actual stamp themselves. If possible, invite a local philatelist to discuss his/her hobby with the class and display any stamps he/she might have with insects depicted on them. Discuss the term "entomophilatelist."

As the students locate the stamps, mark the countries from which the stamps come on a large map of the world.

The stamps mentioned in the articles reflect the use of insecticides. Contact the local Extension Service or County Agent for information on insect management through the use of pesticides/insecticides. Research alternative, non-chemical approaches to the management of insect pests. Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America and other Internet sites may be helpful in this research.

Class Discussion:

Discuss which insect orders the insect stamps represent. Are the insects portrayed realistically? Is one order represented more than the other orders? If the answer is yes, have the students suggest possible reasons why this order is most often represented.

Read the information in the magazine articles about controlling insect pests while managing human health.

Discuss the negative impact that chemical methods of insect control can have. Compare these with the positive effects of chemical methods for insect control. List the comparisons on the board or have the students create a chart/graphical organizer which illustrates the positive and negative effects. Have students search the Internet for "integrated pest management" to find information on biological control of many major insect pests. Discuss what can be done to protect man and his environment from harm caused by chemical insecticides.

For each stamp located with an insect depicted on it, ask the class to research the country producing the stamp and discuss in what way(s) that insect might be significant in the life of the country.

Research the World Health Organization and its impact on the world'’s health through insect control.

Have the students design a postage stamp with an insect depicted on it in some way. Allow them to use paint/draw computer software if they wish. Have the students write a brief summary of the insect they selected and why.

Have a "Collection Day" on which the students display objects that they collect. Have each student give a 1-2 minute presentation on how and why they began their collection. Hyperstudio presentations could be developed.

THINGS TO CONSIDER: Set a limit to the number of objects to be displayed from each collection, and encourage the students NOT to bring rare or valuable items.

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