Insect Body Parts. Thorax - The thorax is the body section between the head and the abdomen. The legs and wings attach to the thorax.

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1 Insects Insects are one of the most diverse and abundant organisms on earth. With over 1 million described species (mammals have 5,400 described species) they represent more than half of all living organisms. Insects are found in nearly all environments including the ocean and Antarctica! Many insects are considered pests, but there are many beneficial species we could not live without. All insects have three body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen), three pairs of legs, compound eyes, a pair of antennae, and an exoskeleton made of chitin. Some insects have wings. They can walk, swim, and fly. Insects develop in two different ways. The first is called incomplete metamorphosis. The insect starts as an egg. When it hatches the insect is called a nymph and looks similar to the adult form. This is similar to how humans develop, where a baby resembles an adult. The second is called complete metamorphosis. The bestknow example of this is the butterfly life-cycle. The insect starts as an egg and when it hatches the insect is called a larva. Before the larva can become an adult, it must pupate. During pupation all the body parts of the larva rearrange and morph to become the adult form. Entomologists are people who study insects. They study how insects behave, where they are found, what they look like, and how they interact with the world around them. They also educate the public and non-entomologists about insects and how they interact with humans. Entomologists try to find solutions to insect related problems, such as insects that cause disease or insects that destroy crops.

2 Insect Body Parts Head - The head is the part of the insect that contains the brain, two compound eyes, the mouthparts, and the pharynx (the start of the digestive system). The two antennae are attached to the head. Thorax - The thorax is the body section between the head and the abdomen. The legs and wings attach to the thorax. Abdomen - The abdomen is the segmented tail area of an insect that contains the heart, Malpighian tubules, reproductive organs, and most of the digestive system. Leg - All adult insects have six legs. Compound Eye - Insect compound eyes are made up of many hexagonal lenses. Antenna - An antenna is a sensory appendage that is attached to the head of adult insects. Antennae are used for the sense of smell and balance. Insects have two antennae. Exoskeleton Made out of chitin and is used by the insect for protection from the environment and to help maintain moisture. It is also the frame for their internal anatomy much like our skeleton is our frame. Label the diagram below with the appropriate term from above. Color in the exoskeleton.

3 Incomplete Metamorphosis Egg The first stage in the insect life cycle Nymph - The second stage in the insect life cycle that resembles the adult and develops into the adult insect directly, without passing through an intermediate pupa stage Adult The reproductive stage in the insect life cycle Label the diagram below with the appropriate term from above.

4 Egg The first stage in the insect life cycle Complete Metamorphosis Larva The juvenile stage in the insect life cycle that does not resemble the adult Pupa The non-feeding stage between the larva and adult in the metamorphosis of holometabolous insects, during which the larva typically undergoes complete transformation within a protective cocoon or hardened case Adult - The reproductive stage in the insect life cycle Label the diagram below with the appropriate term from above.

5 Insect Diversity Beneficial Insects Any insect that performs valuable services like pollination or pest control (i.e. an insect that eats another insect) Pest Insects Any insect that is categorized as unwanted or injurious by humans. Injuries could be categorized as crop or agriculture damage or vector human diseases. Above Ground Insects Spend the majority of their life cycle above ground. They feed or pollinate plants above ground. Below Ground Insects Spend the majority of their life cycle under ground. They tend to feed on organic matter in the soil or the roots and shoots of plants.

6 Place the insect sticker in its appropriate habitat.