The head is the front of the three body parts of an adult insect. It bears the eyes (usually a pair of compound eyes), the antennae and the mouthparts.s

The thorax is the middle of the three body parts of an adult insect. It is located just behind the head. It is composed of 3 segments. It bears 3 pairs of legs (one on each segment) and usually 2 pairs of wings. Some insects have only 1 pair of wings.

The abdomen is the last of the three body parts of an adult insect. The abdomen is divided into eleven smaller segments, although these are not always easy (or even possible) to see. It is not uncommon for the abdomen to be longer than the head and thorax combined. The abdomen contains much of the digestive and respiratory systems of the insect and on each side has a row of small structures, called spiracles, through which they breathe.

On the next screen we will learn more about insects. Let’s watch the movie to learn more about insects.

Tiny eggs are laid by the female on a leaf. Around 5 days later, a tiny wormlike creature will hatch.

The caterpillar is the primary eating and growth stage of the insect.

The pupa is the resting or transformation stage, and within it the marvelous transformation from caterpillar to adult butterfly takes place.

A butterfly or moth is emerging now. The pupa skin splits, the limp, damp butterfly crawls out. The wings are expanded and blood is pumping into them. A little warming from the sun and it is now ready to fly off to feed and then lay its eggs.

Mother ladybugs lay 10 to 15 eggs on the bottom of a leaf. The eggs look like tiny, long, yellow jelly beans.

As the rapidly grow, the larvae shed their skin several times. Larvae crawl out of their eggs and begin to look for food. They look like tiny alligators--and they bite!

In about two weeks, the bigger larvae begin to look a little different, something like a lobster without legs and claws. They attach themselves to a leaf and hardly move at all. They are doing something extraordinary under their skins.

In another few days the ladybug splits its pupa and emerges looking very different. Now it looks just like its mother--a perfect adult ladybug.

Now it is your turn!! Open kidpix and draw an insect. Be sure and show the three body parts!