Lesson# 2 – Insect Anatomy

Unit: EntomologyMs. Gutierrez

Lets get started!

In a group:

Create an insect out of the play dough provided.

Be ready to present your insect to the entire class. Include in presentation:

# of legs wings

Any significant characteristics.

What is an Insect?

An insect is an animal whose body is divided into three regions with three pairs of legs on the middle region and contain an exoskeleton.

They also have one pair of antennae, and one to two pairs of wings attached to the middle region if present in the adult form.

Insect Anatomy

1. Head

Head- contains one pair of antennae, two pairs of eyes, and mouthparts.

2. Thorax

◦Thorax- three pairs of legs and wings if present.. Prothorax - Pair of front leg

Mesothorax – Pair of middle legs and first pair of wings present.

Metathorax – Pair of hind legs and hind wings if present.

3. Abdomen

◦Abdomen- the abdomen is composed of as many as eleven segments but never hears legs or wings.

◦A pair of spiracles are located on each segment of the abdomen. Spiracles are how the insect gets oxygen.

Exoskeleton

Insects have an exoskeleton that is made of material called chitin.

Advantages-protects the insect from enemies, keeps them from drying out, and it protects them from diseases.

Disadvantage-is it is brittle and restricts movement.

12 Types of Antennae

• Moniliform• Ciavate• Lamellate• Bipectinate• Aristate• Serrate

• Filiform• Setaceous• Capitate• Pectinate• Plumose• Stylate

Antennae

The antennae are sensory organs for insects, they help the insect in locating food, finding remote nesting sites, and locating mates.

How do Insects eat?

Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts

• Aphid

• Leafhoppers

• Mosquitoes (Females)

• True Bugs

• Mites

Rasping-Sucking Mouthpart

Thrips

Chewing Mouthparts

GrasshopperBeetlesDragonfliesCaterpillars

Sponging Mouthpart

Flies

Chewing-Lapping Mouthpart

• Bees

• Ants

• Wasps

• Sawflies

Siphoning Mouthpart

• Moths

• Butterflies

Parts of an insect leg

Types of Insect Legs

Lets Rhyme!

Summarize what we’ve learned!

Insects must have:

# of common mouthparts:

# of antenna:

Number of leg types:

3 body segments, antenna,

exoskeleton, 6 legs.

6 common types we discussed.

12 Types of antenna

6 types of legs.