Insects

What are they?

Arthropods

• a hard external skeleton (called a exoskeleton)

• a segmented body • at least three pairs of jointed

legs • body divided into three major

parts• have at least one pair of

antennae

Arthropods

• they are invertebrates (no backbone)

• they are cold blooded• they are divided into

30 different Orders (groups) based on mouthparts, wings, and development

• showed up on Earth 400 million years ago

Life Cycle

Ant Life Cycle• The life cycle of the ant consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa,

and adult. Fertilized eggs produce female ants (queens, workers, or soldiers); unfertilized eggs produce male ants.

• Egg: Ant eggs are oval shaped and tiny (they are on the order of 1 mm long, but the queen's egg is many times larger).

• Larva: The worm-like larvae have no eyes and no legs; they eat food regurgitated by adult ants. The larvae molt (shed their skin) many times as they increase in size.

• Pupa: After reaching a certain size, the larva spins a silk-like cocoon around itself (against a solid object, like the wall of the chamber) and pupates. During this time the body metamorphoses (changes) into its adult form.

• Adult: The pupa emerges as an adult. The entire life cycle usually lasts from 6 to 10 weeks. Some queens can live over 15 years, and some workers can live for up to 7 years.

Adaptations

Mouthparts – Structure and Function

• Chewing

• Sucking

• Sponging

• Lapping

Chewing Mouthparts

Sucking Mouthparts

Wings

• insects developed wings to escape predators and to colonize new habitats

• wings can provide protection for the softer parts of insects

• wings also have changed in size to create fast flight times

Insect Senses

• Insects taste using their mouthparts and their FEET-some use their antennae

• Insects smell using their antennae• Insects touch using small hairs found on their

bodies (they can feel wind)• Insects hear using smalls hairs, usually found on

their legs• Insects have two compound eyes (for

movement, color, and images)• Insects can have up to three simple eyes (see

light and dark)

Habitats

• Insects inhabit almost every type of environment except for salt water

• They can be found on all continents• They live in plants, wood, living

animals, and fresh water• Insects adapt their bodies to the

environment that they live in

Insect Behavior

• It is mostly instinctive – instincts are determined by genes before it hatches from an egg

• They are programmed to eat certain foods, to defend against attack

• Insects do have the ability to learn – identify locations by sight

• Insects also learn by trial and error

Insect Benefits

• Eat other pesky insects• Eat weeds• Eat dead plants and animals• Pollinate plants• Make honey• Make medication• Make clothing• Beautiful to look at and collect• Eaten by other animals

Harmful Insects

• Injury or death from bite or sting

• Transmit viruses• Attack food sources• Eat homes