Insect Identification
What class do all insects belong to?
Class Insecta
What are the three main body segments of an insect?
Head, thorax, abdomen
Bees and butterflies help plants by performing what important ecological role?
Pollination
This insect produces honey and wax.
Honeybees
What resource are you allowed to bring into the event?
A binder and one field guide (Princeton Field Guide 2023)
This insect order includes beetles and has hardened forewings called elytra.
Coleoptera
How many legs does an adult insect have?
Six
What kind of metamorphosis does a butterfly undergo?
Complete metamorphosis
Name one insect considered a major crop pest.
Examples: locusts, aphids, boll weevil
What tool helps you identify insects based on features?
A dichotomous key
Members of this order have one pair of wings and include flies and mosquitoes.
Diptera
What part of an insect’s body bears the wings and legs?
Thorax
What is it called when one species mimics another to avoid predators?
Mimicry
What do termites primarily eat?
Wood (cellulose)
How many people can be on an Entomology team?
Up to 2
What order includes insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis and have jumping hind legs?
Orthoptera
What hard outer covering protects an insect’s body?
Exoskeleton made of chitin
Name one insect that serves as a natural pest controller.
Example: ladybug, dragonfly, praying mantis
What does IPM stand for?
Integrated pest Management
What are two main scoring factors in the event?
Accuracy and speed
This group includes aquatic nymphs and predatory adults with large compound eyes.
Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)
Name one type of insect mouthpart used for piercing and sucking.
Example: proboscis, stylet
Describe the difference between a nymph and a larva.
Nymphs resemble adults (incomplete metamorphosis); larvae look very different (complete metamorphosis).
Describe the goal of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Reduce pest populations using multiple methods—chemical, biological, and cultural—safely and sustainably.
What’s one good way to organize your binder for the event?
By order and family, with labeled tabs, traits, and images