Entomology: The study of insects Modified by Ms. Rouse 2013

Entomology How many insects are there? More than 750,000 species of insects have been identified. There are more species of insects than all other land animals combined (Biokids, 2013) Insects are part of a larger group of organisms known as arthropods Arthropods include: Spiders Scorpions Crabs Lobsters Bugs

Entomology Arthropods What separates insects from other Arthropods? Have rigid external skeletons Have legs that are jointed What separates insects from other Arthropods? 3 Clear and Distinct Body segments (in adult stage) Head, Thorax, Abdomen 6 legs – attached to the Thorax May have wings (only arthropods with wings) Lay Eggs Go through either complete or incomplete metamorphosis

Entomology Insect or Other Arthropod?

Insect Characteristics Head The head has a pair of compound eyes and two sensory appendages called antennae. Thorax The thorax is divided into three segments. Three pairs of legs are attached to the thorax. Abdomen The abdomen is attached to the thorax.

Entomology Insects will complete one of two different life cycles. Incomplete Metamorphosis - gradual change Young Resemble adults but lack wings Complete Metamorphosis - complete change Young do not resemble adults, go through more drastic changes from young to adult

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

Complete Metamorphosis Entomology Complete Metamorphosis Egg Larva Pupa Adult

Entomology What is a nymph? A juvenile insect from groups that go through incomplete metamorphesis What is a larva? A larva is a young insect with a soft tubular body and looks very much like a worm. What is a pupa? The pupa stage is a dormant stage where the larva changes into an adult.

There are 19 orders of insects but you must know the following 5 Entomology There are 19 orders of insects but you must know the following 5 Orthoptera - grasshopper and locust Hymenoptera – ants, bees and wasps Lepidoptera – moths and butterflies Diptera – flies Coleoptera - beetles (the largest group of the insect orders)

Entomology With your new lab partner, you will use the field guides provided in class to identify the defining characteristics of your assigned order. You will need to share your findings with the class

Entomology What you need to find: Defining physical characteristics of your order Identify what type of metamorphosis your order goes through The book refers to incomplete metamorphosis as “simple” metamophosis One interesting fact about this order