1. Phylum Arthropoda-Class Insecta Monarch Butterfly Praying Mantis Fire Ant House Fly Lady Bug Dung Beetle

2. Characteristics 3 body segments-head, thorax and abdomen 6 legs 1 pair of antennae Usually 1-2 pairs of wings Simple brain Have a hard exoskeleton-external skeleton, made of chitin When skeleton gets too small, they molt

3. Help! I’m molting, molting…oh what a world!

4. Facts More insect species then all other species of animal combined! Found in nearly all environments on Earth Been on Earth for about 400 million years Many insects are beneficial-they help pollinate plants and some even eat other “bad” insects!

5. Growing up Insect All start out as eggs Complete metamorphosis- larvae and adults of these insects are very different looking. Ex- butterflies Incomplete metamorphosis-the larvae looks like a smaller version of the adult. Ex- grasshopper

6. Complete Metamorphosis Incomplete Metamorphosis