All material is my personal opinion, and not that of any other organization. Copyright 2001. Permission is granted for individual teacher use. All rights reserved.

 

Can you find one that is bigger? Collect some and let us know how big they are. We will post the records for each school! Take a picture of your biggest bug next to a ruler and send it along as well. See how to weigh your bug here. Send your Potato Bug measurements here. Champion for 2001: Received July 17, 2001 from Scott Sawyer!

The New Millennium Bug Contest: Is this the Biggest Potato Bug in the World? This potato bug (also known as a Jerusalem cricket) is a monster! It was our 1998 champion. Will it reign in the new millenium as well, or can it be beaten? The contest begins Nov. 15, 1999, and will end with the declaration of a winner on January 10, 2000.

Our 1998 champion potato bug measured 6.5 cm long. We weighed it on a balance and it weighs 8.5 grams. On Nov. 13 of last year, our contest was covered by the Oakland Tribune, by reporter Jonathan Schorr, and photographer Nick Lammerz. On the right, the photographer shoots Taipaleti weighing one of our bugs. Visit these web sites to see what others are learning about insects: Amazing Insect Projects -- see what students around the country have found out. The Univ. of Florida Book of Insect Records: Who is the loudest? The Longest, the fastest? "City Bugs," Exploring Urban Biodiversity. Bret Harte students on their Bug Hunting Safari.