Insects Class: Insecta

Body divided into three parts Head Head Thorax Thorax Abdomen Abdomen Head Thorax Abdomen

Attached to the head Two types of eyes Two types of eyes –Simple eyes – small eyes above compound eyes for sensing light and dark –Compound eyes – large eyes made of many facets used for detecting movement and light. Two antenna Two antenna

Appendages are attached to the thorax Three pairs of legs Three pairs of legs Usually have 2 or 4 wings Usually have 2 or 4 wings

Abdomen Respiration Respiration –Breath through a system of air tubes in the abdomen. –Air enters through spiracles or tiny holes in the side of the abdomen

Obtaining Food Eat almost anything that is living or once was living Eat almost anything that is living or once was living Mouthparts are adapted for a specific way to get food Mouthparts are adapted for a specific way to get food

Life Cycle

Metamorphosis – change in appearance due to development Complete metamorphosis – offspring DO NOT resemble parents Complete metamorphosis – offspring DO NOT resemble parents –Egg –Larva –Pupa (enclosed in a protected case) –Adult Incomplete/Gradual metamorphosis – young look like small adults but lack wings and reproductive organs Incomplete/Gradual metamorphosis – young look like small adults but lack wings and reproductive organs –Egg –Nymph –Adult

Insect Ecology Food Chain – a series of events in which one organism eats another and obtains energy. Food Chain – a series of events in which one organism eats another and obtains energy. Ecology – the study of organisms and how they interact with the environment Ecology – the study of organisms and how they interact with the environment

Insects and Food Chains Food chains start with producers – organisms that make their own food. Food chains start with producers – organisms that make their own food. Producers are eaten by consumers – an organism that gets energy by eating other organisms Producers are eaten by consumers – an organism that gets energy by eating other organisms The final part of a food chain is a decomposer – an organism that breaks down waste and dead bodies The final part of a food chain is a decomposer – an organism that breaks down waste and dead bodies

Controlling pests 1. Pesticides-chemicals that kill pests that may destroy crops 2. Biological controls-natural predators or a disease used to combat pests