Entomology

Entomology What is Entomology? Entomology is the study of insects. Insects are always around us. Scientists called entomologist spend most of their time studying insects.

Entomology What is the average amount of insects that are on the earth’s surface? More than 750,000 species of insects have been identified.

Entomology Are all insects harmful to humans? No. Only about 10,000 are harmful to humans.

Entomology Classification of insects: Different levels of classifying insects: Kingdom Phyla Class Order Family Genus Species

Entomology The highest classification level is the kingdom. The most specific classification is the species level. Organisms are classified by genus and species. This is called a binomial nomenclature.

Entomology Six orders of insects: Orthoptera - grasshopper and locust Hemiptera -leaf hoppers and plant bugs Lepidoptera – moths and butterflies Homoptera – aphids Thysanoptera - thrips Coleoptera - beetles (the largest group of the insect orders)

Entomology How are insects grouped? Insects are grouped by their mouth parts.

Entomology Six different mouth parts Sponging Rasping- sucking Siphoning Chewing-lapping Chewing Piercing- sucking

Entomology Insects have no internal skeleton. They rely on a hard outer coating called exoskeleton to protect the inner organs and support the body.

Entomology What are the parts of an insect? Three parts to an insect Head Thorax Abdomen

Entomology Head The head has a pair of compound eyes and two sensory appendages called antennae.

Entomology Thorax The thorax is divided into three segments. Three pairs of legs are attached to the thorax.

Entomology Abdomen The abdomen is attached to the thorax.

Entomology Insects will complete one of three different life cycles. No Metamorphosis - no change Incomplete Metamorphosis - gradual change Complete Metamorphosis - complete change

Entomology Incomplete Metamorphosis Egg Early nymph (no wings) Late nymph (wings developing) Adult

Entomology Complete Metamorphosis Egg Larva Pupa Adult

Entomology What is a larva? A larva is a young insect with a soft tubular body and looks very much like a worm.

Entomology What is a pupa? The pupa stage is a dormant stage where the larva changes into an adult.

Entomology What are Phytophagous insects? Phyto means plant and phagous means eating. Whenever a plant is eaten, it is damaged in terms of growth and productivity.