FAR Research | Garden creature spotter

Estimated Time 45 minutes
Location Outdoors
Time of Year Summer , Spring & Autumn
Curriculum L1/2 , L3 & L4
Subject Science

Discover a range of creatures found in a typical New Zealand garden.

Learning Intentions

Students will be able to:

appreciate the diversity of creatures in a garden
begin to recognise and name some of them.

Spot creatures found in a garden

Use the spotter guide below to find and name some New Zealand garden creatures. To do this, find a garden that has a variety of plants, especially ones that are in flower. Another option is to search a wasteland area, a mixed native tree shelter belt, or the unkept margins of fields.
Carefully search high and low to find as many creatures as you can.
Record what you find by ticking the boxes and recording your observations by writing about them, drawing, or taking photos.

Garden creatures spotter pdf download (optimised for colour printing on A4).

Hints and tips

For best viewing of detailed structures, view the spotter guide pdf pictures on-screen.
Print the spotter sheet on heavy weight paper.
Laminate the sheets so students can tick the boxes with marker pens when they find a creature. Erase with methylated spirits for re-use.
Students can share what they have found by showing others or taking photos.
Records: Students record observations of: 1) where the creatures are found and 2) what they are doing.

Supporting information

English name	Māori name	Native / Introduced	Pest / Helpful	Adult able to fly (Yes/No)
wolf spider	pūngāwerewere	native	helpful	no
hover fly	ngaro paira	native	helpful	yes
red admiral	kahukura	native	helpful	yes
ladybird larva	uhu mumutawa	introduced	helpful	no
ladybird	mumutawa	introduced	helpful	yes
NZ blue blowfly	ngaro iro	native	pest	yes
drone fly	ngaro paira	introduced	helpful	yes
European earwig	hiore kakati	introduced	pest	yes (rarely)
spittle bug	tātaka hūare	introduced	pest	yes
aphids	weo	introduced	pest	yes
NZ vegetable bug	tākaka huawhenua	native	pest	yes
NZ praying manits	rō	native	helpful	yes
bumble bee	pī rorohū	introduced	helpful	yes
monarch	kahuku	native	helpful	yes
honey bee	pī miere	introduced	helpful	yes
white butterfly	pere mā	introduced	pest	yes
garden snail	ngata	introduced	pest	no
orbweb spider	pūngāwerewere	introduced	helpful	no
grass grub	tūtaeruru	native	pest	yes
ground beetle	pāpapa	native	helpful	no
harvestman	pūngāwerewere	introduced	helpful	no
centipede	weri	native	helpful	no
woodlice	pāpapa	introduced	helpful	no
slug	putoko	introduced	pest	no

The table information is based on species shown in the 'Garden Creatures Spotter' and is necessarily simplified for young students. It should be noted that some species can be considered pests or helpful in different circumstances.