Entomology

Modified by Ms. Rouse 2013

Entomology: The study of insects

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 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

Entomology

Incomplete MetamorphosisEggEarly nymph (no wings)Late nymph (wings developing)Adult

Entomology

Complete MetamorphosisEggLarva 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.

Entomology

There are 19 orders of insects but you must know the following 5Orthoptera - grasshopper and locustHymenoptera – ants, bees and waspsLepidoptera – moths and butterfliesDiptera – 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