Charles Bonnet is called the first experimental entomologist.  He conducted many experiments with butterflies, caterpillars, and ants.  He also studied photosynthesis.  One of Bonnet's last papers discussed species extinction.  He believed in the catastrophism theory and believed species evolved.  Bonnet was the first scientist to propose this idea. 

http://www.twu.edu/dsc/bonnetI.htm

Photo Courtesy of the Collection Jean-Jacques Monney

TEKS Objective References:

§112.23.b.8.B (Science 7th grade).  The student knows that complex interactions occur between matter and energy. The student is expected to identify that radiant energy from the Sun is transferred into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis.

§112.23.b.10.A. (Science 7th grade). The student knows that species can change through generations and that the instructions for traits are contained in the genetic material of the organisms. The student is expected to identify that sexual reproduction results in more diverse offspring and asexual reproduction results in more uniform offspring.

§112.23.b.10.b. (Science 7th grade).The student knows that species can change through generations and that the instructions for traits are contained in the genetic material of the organisms. The student is expected to compare traits of organisms of different species that enhance their survival and reproduction

§112.24.b.13.C. (Science 8th Grade). The student knows characteristics of the universe. The student is expected to research and describe historical scientific theories of the origin of the universe.

§112.24.b.14.B. (Science 8th Grade). The student knows that natural events and human activities can alter Earth systems. The student is expected to analyze how natural or human events may have contributed to the extinction of some species

Helpful Web sites:

Endangered Species Fact Sheets. Children will need help reading parts of the fact sheets, but the location, population, and scientific name are succint. http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/index.html

Photosynthesis explanation/picture.  http://grapevine.net.au/~grunwald/une/KLAs/science/photosynthesis.html 

Teaching Resources:

Butterfly Metamorphosis Animation. http://www.bijlmakers.com/entomology/metamorphosis.htm