Lesson Plan - Beware of This Bug!

Watch a Video: What You Need to Know About the Spotted Lanternfly
Discuss: Why are lanternflies seen as a problem in the United States?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• infestation
• entomologist

Set a Purpose for Reading
Note the “As You Read” question. Have students think about ways kids can help stop the spread of lanternflies.

1. Why does entomologist George Hamilton say that spotted lanternflies are “good hitchhikers”?
Lanternflies are good hitchhikers because they can be on shipping containers or cars without people noticing. In this way, they “hitch” rides from place to place.
^{R.1 Make Inferences}

2. What are two ways that lanternflies harm plants?
Lanternflies harm plants by sucking out nutrients plants need and by making honeydew, a substance that causes mold to grow.
^{R.5 Cause/Effect}

3. Summarize the sidebar, “Leave Them Alone!”
The sidebar explains that unlike lanternflies, many insects are helpful to ecosystems. Ladybugs and praying mantises help crops by eating harmful pests. Honeybees pollinate plants.
^{R.2 Summarizing}

FEATURED SKILL: Informative Writing
Use the skill builder “Spread the Word!” to have students write a public service announcement about lanternflies.
^{W.2 Informative Writing}