What are insects

WHAT ARE INSECTS?

Insects evolved from invertebrates- animals without backbones. Instead of bones, insects have a hard exterior skeleton, or exoskeleton, which they shed and replace as they grow. Adult insect bodies have three parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. The head includes mouth, eyes, and antenna; the thorax usually bears six legs and four wings; and the abdomen contains digestive and reproductive organs. In their brief lives- from days to 17 years - insects reproduce quickly and abundantly. These pages show a possible path of evolution from invertebrates such as earthworms (pink) to arthropods (blue) to insects (green).

ANATOMY OF AN INSECT

(SILVER FISH)

* Head

* Antenna

* Thorax

* Legs (three pairs)

* Abdomen

N/B:insect bodies are Marvel's of evolutionary design - compact, functional, and efficient 

                                                                       CICADAS

                                                                  BUTTERFLIES

                                                                   EARTHWORMS

                                                              PRAYING MANTISES 

                                                                       BEETLES

                                                                       CENTIPEDES

                                                                              FLIES

                                                                       SPIDERS

                                                              GRASSHOPPERS

                                                               & LOCUSTS

                                                                         TERMITES

                                                                           COCKROACHES 

                                                                              BEES