Insects and food security
I can explain the importance of insects for food security and suggest how we can protect them.
Insects and food security
I can explain the importance of insects for food security and suggest how we can protect them.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Pollinators are animals which transfer pollen from one flower to another, which enables plants to reproduce sexually.
- Many food crops are pollinated by animal pollinators, including fruits, vegetables and nuts.
- The majority of pollinators are insects, with bees being the largest group.
- Food security means having enough affordable and nutritious food in an area or country.
- Pollinating insects need to be protected from pesticides, climate change and habitat loss to ensure food security.
Keywords
Pollinators - Animals that carry pollen from one flower to another are called pollinators.
Food security - Food security is having access to enough affordable and nutritious food.
Insect - Insects are a group of animals with an exoskeleton, three body parts and six legs; they can act as pollinators.
Crops - Crops are plants that are grown on farms to feed humans or farm animals (for example wheat, vegetables and fruit).
Common misconception
There is not enough food in the world, and that bees are the only pollinators.
Emphasise that food distribution and nutrition is an issue in food security; also that there are many types of pollinator.
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Insects and food security, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Insects and food security, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Reproduction in plants unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Starter quiz
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