Summary
A Mexican jumping bean hops all by itself -- because a tiny moth caterpillar lives inside and flings its body to move the bean. Deep Look reveals the hidden life cycle behind this famous jumping seed.
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All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Talk about it
Inside each jumping bean is a moth caterpillar that eats the seed's insides and jerks to roll the bean toward shade. Later it becomes a moth -- the jump is one stage of the insect's life cycle.
- What makes a Mexican jumping bean actually jump?
- Why does the caterpillar move the bean toward shade?
- What will the caterpillar eventually become?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: caterpillar, larva, life cycle, behavior.
Try it: Warm one hand and picture a caterpillar hopping to shade. Write why moving out of the heat helps the caterpillar survive.