Insect Anatomy

Classification PhylumClassOrderFamilyGenusSpecies

Arthropods Spiders, ticks, lobster, centipedes, and insects, among others Spiders, ticks, lobster, centipedes, and insects, among others Insects are members of the Phylum Arthropoda (jointed foot) Insects are members of the Phylum Arthropoda (jointed foot) an estimated 1 Million species of insects exist, of which <0.1% are harmful to plants an estimated 1 Million species of insects exist, of which <0.1% are harmful to plants

Why are Arthropods so successful? Adaptability Arthropods

Adaptability Specialized appendages Mole crickets, giant water bug, preying mantis Mole crickets, giant water bug, preying mantisgiant water bugpreying mantisgiant water bugpreying mantisArthropods

/14/creature-with-interlocking-gears-on- legs/ /14/creature-with-interlocking-gears-on- legs/ /14/creature-with-interlocking-gears-on- legs/ /14/creature-with-interlocking-gears-on- legs/

Arthropods Adaptability Exoskeleton (Invertebrates) Proportional strength Proportional strength Proportional strength Proportional strength Protection Protection

Body Sections HEAD - THORAX - ABDOMEN

Class: Arachnida Spiders Spiders We’ll cover only one spider: mites We’ll cover only one spider: mites Head/thorax (cephalothorax) Head/thorax (cephalothorax) Four pairs of legs Four pairs of legs Abdomen Abdomen

Classification Phylum Class: Insecta OrderFamilyGenusSpecies

EXOSKELETON Solid outer skeleton Solid outer skeleton Accounts for shape and size Accounts for shape and size Cuticle is outermost layer that conserves moisture Cuticle is outermost layer that conserves moisture

Class: Insecta EXOSKELETON How does it grow? Molting: chemical reactions make it flexible, it grows, then hardens again (schlerotization) Molting: chemical reactions make it flexible, it grows, then hardens again (schlerotization) Each molting called instar Each molting called instar (Cicada hatching) (Cicada hatching)Cicada hatchingCicada hatching

1-researchers-create-cybernetic-moth 1-researchers-create-cybernetic-moth 1-researchers-create-cybernetic-moth 1-researchers-create-cybernetic-moth

HEAD Antennae Sensory organs Sensory organs Food Food

HEAD Antennae Sensory organs Sensory organs Pheromones - communication chemicals secreted by insects Pheromones - communication chemicals secreted by insects

HEAD Compound eyes (2) Numerous faucets that each have a lens, each singly functional Numerous faucets that each have a lens, each singly functional

HEAD Compound eyes (2) Senses color, movement, and, to a lesser extent, distance Senses color, movement, and, to a lesser extent, distance

HEAD Simple eyes, Ocelli (1 to 3) Records daily changes in light intensity Records daily changes in light intensity

HEAD Mouthparts: Chewing Mouthparts: Chewing Mandibles are often protective Mandibles are often protective

HEAD Mouthparts: Chewing Maxilla like appendages Maxilla like appendages

HEAD Mouthparts Piercing sucking Piercing sucking Piercing sucking Piercing sucking

THORAX Mid-section Mid-section Pro-, meso-, and meta- Pro-, meso-, and meta-

THORAX Each segment has a pair of legs Front pair are often greatly modified Front pair are often greatly modified

THORAX Caterpillars have prolegs on abdomen Not true legs Not true legs

THORAX Wings Meso- and meta- thorax sections Meso- and meta- thorax sections SloMo SloMo SloMo

THORAX Wings: Beetles Wings: Beetles Forewings hardened, elytra Forewings hardened, elytra Protection of hind wings Protection of hind wings

THORAX Wings: Grasshopper Forewings leathery Forewings leathery Hindwings fly Hindwings fly

THORAX Wings: True bugs Forewings, basal portion hardened Forewings, basal portion hardened Hindwings, membranous Hindwings, membranous

THORAX Wings: Moths and butterflies Both wings scales Both wings scales

ABDOMEN Softest body section Spiracles, openings insect uses to breathe Spiracles, openings insect uses to breathe

ABDOMEN Few appendages Ovipositor Ovipositor Ovipositor Laying eggs or stinger Laying eggs or stinger

ABDOMEN Few appendages Cerci Cerci Can be sensory organ or protective Can be sensory organ or protective

LIFE CYCLES Insects begin life as an Egg Insects begin life as an Egg Some exceptions are live birth, such as Aphids (Viviparous) Some exceptions are live birth, such as Aphids (Viviparous)

LIFE CYCLES Complete Metamorphosis Complete Metamorphosis

LIFE CYCLES Complete Metamorphosis Larva (immature stage) Damaging stage, feeding heavily on foliage or roots Damaging stage, feeding heavily on foliage or roots Major difference in shape and habit from adult Major difference in shape and habit from adult

LIFE CYCLES Complete Metamorphosis Pupae Idle stage, transforming into adult Idle stage, transforming into adult Cocoon vs. chrysalis Cocoon vs. chrysalis

LIFE CYCLES Complete Metamorphosis Adult (mature stage) Adults don’t often cause major damage Adults don’t often cause major damage

LIFE CYCLES Incomplete Metamorphosis

LIFE CYCLES Incomplete Metamorphosis (immature stage) Nymph (immature stage) Differ from adult in size and shape Differ from adult in size and shape Gradual changes Gradual changes Wings undeveloped Wings undeveloped

LIFE CYCLES Incomplete Metamorphosis (mature stage) Adult (mature stage) Wings develop Wings develop

LIFE CYCLES Incomplete Metamorphosis

Microcosmos KEnoJQ KEnoJQ KEnoJQ KEnoJQ