A great way to catch live bugs is to make a simple pitfall trap.

What you need

• A small cup (a yoghurt pot also works)
• Somewhere to dig a hole
• Something to cover the top of your cup (in case it rains!)
• Small pebbles/sticks to balance the cover on.

Instructions

1. Dig a hole big enough to fit your cup.
2. Make the edge of the cup flush with the ground surface.
3. Place pebbles or sticks round the outside and balance the cover on top.
4. Leave your trap for a few hours, or overnight if you like.
5. Make sure to check it in the morning.
6. Check your trap. What bugs are in it?
7. Remember to set the bugs free afterwards.

If you want to study your bugs more closely, tip them gently into a glass jar with muslin fixed over the top using a rubber band. You can take a photo of your bugs or draw a picture. Try moving your trap to a different location and see if you catch anything different!