Insects

Insects Arthropods (segmented body, exoskeleton, and jointed appendages) Invertebrates Insects

Insect Anatomy 3 body segments Head – with a pair of antennae and two eyes (usually compound- effective at detecting movement) Thorax – with 6 legs and usually 2 pairs of wings Abdomen – contains most of the insects organs Contains small tubes that allow air to enter the body; oxygen then travels directly to the cells.

Insect Anatomy Exoskeleton – outer covering (made of protein and chitin) that supports and protects the body

Insect Nutrition Nutrition – various diets for different insects: Plants/plant products Animals (ex. fleas and mosquitoes) Decaying animal bodies (ex. Carrion beetles) or animal waste (ex. Dung beetle)

Insect Feeding Mouthparts are adapted to type of food: Butterfly has long tube to “drink” nectar Ants have sharp mouthparts for cutting wood and seeds

Insect Senses Good senses (in addition to compound eyes) Chemical receptors on mouthparts, antennae, and legs to detect taste and smell Hairs on legs detect slight movements in air or water

Insect Life Cycles Development (life cycle)- metamorphosis- two types: Incomplete (ex. Grasshopper) Egg  nymph  adult

Insect Life Cycles Complete (ex. Butterfly) Egg  larvae (caterpillar)  pupa (cocoon)  adult (butterfly)

Beware the Bot Fly! Bot flies use mosquitos to carry their eggs to a host. The mosquitos inject the host with the eggs. Eggs grow to maturity underneath the skin. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=733_1180839698 http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b466093a94 http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=224_1181291771