Lockdown bug hunt challenge earns prize for Burnley schoolboy (seven) who is one of David Attenborough's biggest fans

A year two pupil at a Burnley school has received a certificate from the Association for Science Education after finding and identifying a bug he discovered in his own garden.
By Susan Plunkett
Published 13th May 2020, 12:30 BST
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Arthur Foran (seven) who is a big fan of David Attenborough found the insect, which he couldn’t identify, so he used the internet to discover it was a shield bug which are also known as 'stink' bugs.

Although they do not bite or sting and pose no danger to humans or pets, they are, however, a major agricultural pest and can cause a lot of damage to plants and farm crops. In addition to this if they get inside your house their odour can become overpowering.

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Arthur's mum, Dawn Chapman said: “Arthur was a bit disappointed that the bug he had found in our garden was already named and that he hadn’t discovered a new species.

Arthur proudly shows off his drawing of the shield bug he found which earned him a certificate from Association for Science Educations GreatBugHunt2020Arthur proudly shows off his drawing of the shield bug he found which earned him a certificate from Association for Science Educations GreatBugHunt2020
Arthur proudly shows off his drawing of the shield bug he found which earned him a certificate from Association for Science Educations GreatBugHunt2020

"So, I told him about the Association for Science Education’s Great Bug Hunt 2020 and he wanted to enter his findings.

A pupil at Casterton Primary Academy, Arthur drew a picture of the bug he had found and produced some detailed labels based on his research.

Dawn added: "He was delighted when he received a certificate of achievement and is looking forward to learning more about the natural world during the school closure.”

Related topics:David AttenboroughBurnley