Inspiration for insect poems, by editor Fran Long

There are just 2 weeks left in our call for insect poems for children, for an anthology edited by Fran Long and Isabel Galleymore. Here are some prompts for poems from Fran, to help you if you're still thinking about what to write!

Photos of insects, by Fran and her son

Can you imagine a world without bees? Have you ever thought about how dung beetles are awesome recyclers? Did you know there are an incredible 20,000 insect species in the UK alone, with more being discovered each year? Insects truly are amazing and I am keen to spread the word!

I have been privileged to go behind the scenes and explore the British Insect Collection at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, learning first-hand about the fascinating world of insects from amazingly knowledgeable entomologists as part of a Heritage Lottery Funded project called HOPE for the Future. The aim of the project is to inspire future generations about insects and the natural world, and as part of it I have co-written, designed and piloted ‘Project Insect’ in local schools. 

Incredibly, at a session last month, a 10 year old girl found a very rare beetle in her school grounds, which she has subsequently added to the historic collection at the museum. It was the first time this species had been added since the 1950s! My hope is that this is just the beginning and that many youngsters will become advocates for insects. Here are some of the remarkable facts I have been sharing with them through my work which might also inspire your poetry.

• The most common type of insect is the beetle: there are 400,000 species worldwide, 4,000 of which are native to the UK. Insects pollinate, recycle and are an important food source for many animals – you could say they are our super heroes! 

• I think it is fascinating how insects get their common names, often from their distinct characteristics or appearance. From the bloody nosed beetle who produces a red fluid from its mouth as a defence mechanism, to the minotaur beetle, so called for its likeness to the character from Greek mythology. 

• I'm hoping to find poems which will take young readers on a journey of discovery to learn about insect anatomy (exoskeletons, 6 legs, thorax, abdomen, antennae and wings) and inspire them about insect super powers? From ants who can carry incredible amounts of weight to the compound eyes of insects that create mosaic like images. 

• Or how about a poem about how the stability of dragonfly wings is being copied for high tech drones, or about how cockroaches can squeeze into minute spaces? Did you know that butterfly wings are inspiring phone screen and solar panel technologies? Or what about the way insects camouflage themselves to match their environments? 

• What's more, insects need our help. Habitat loss, pesticides, intensive farming and climate change all pose threats to these stunning creatures. By helping children explore the fascinating world of insects we can enthuse them about the natural world and hopefully ensure that insects are protected for years to come. 

You can read the full submission guidelines here. The call closes on 5th October 2018.