Insects

5th Grade

How can you identify insects from other Arthropods?

• number of body sections (3) • number of legs (6)• pair of antennae (1)

*usually have one or 2 pairs of wings

Body Sections (3)

• Head –sense organs, eyes, antennae

• Thorax– midsection where legs and wings are attached

• Abdomen –inside are internal organs, small holes outside abdomen contain tubes that allow air (oxygen) to enter the body

Insect Body Sections

Insect Body Sections

Rule: “If it is living or if it once was living, some kind of insect will eat it.”

• Leaves or nectar

• Wood lice eat PAPER!

• Fleas and mosquitos feed on the blood of living animals

• Dung beetles feed on animal droppings

• Burying beetles feed on the decaying bodies of dead animals

Life Cycle: Insects go through a Complete Metamorphosis or a Gradual Metamorphosis

• Gradual Metamorphosis: – No distinct larval stage– Egg hatches into a nymph (looks like an adult

without wings)

• Complete Metamorphosis:– 4 different stages– Egg, larva, pupa, adult

Gradual Metamorphosis: (Dragonfly)

Examples of Insects:

• Grasshoppers• Termites• Cockroaches• Dragonflies

Complete Metamorphosis:

*Examples of Insects:

BeetlesButterfliesAntsFlies

During the “pupa” phase, insects are inside a protective pupal case called a “Chrysalis”

Complete Metamorphosis:

1) Eggs

2) Larvae –usually look like worms

3) Pupa –insect is enclosed in a protective covering called a chrysalis (wings, legs, antennae form)

4) Adult

Ants

• http://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/ants/