INSECT BASICS
What three main body sections does an insect have?
Head, thorax, and abdomen.
What is the process of changing form as an insect grows called?
Metamorphosis.
What is the small tube some insects use to suck up liquid called?
Proboscis.
Do butterflies and moths go through complete or incomplete metamorphosis?
Complete metamorphosis.
What do we call insects that live and work together in colonies?
Social insects.
Why are insects considered arthropods?
They have jointed legs, an exoskeleton, and body sections
What are the four stages of complete metamorphosis?
Egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
What kind of mouthparts are used to bite and crush solid food?
Chewing mouthparts.
What kind of mouthparts do both butterflies and moths have?
Siphoning mouthparts.
Which social insects communicate using vibrations?
Termites.
What part of an insect’s body helps protect it from predators?
The exoskeleton.
What two stages occur in complete metamorphosis but not incomplete metamorphosis?
Larva and pupa
What mouthparts do insects use to drink liquids from plant leaves?
Piercing-sucking mouthparts.
What kind of antennae do moths often have?
Thick, feathery antennae.
What do worker ants gather to feed the larvae?
Food.
How do insect wings and feet help insects escape predators?
They provide speed, helping insects escape.
What is the stage between egg and adult in incomplete metamorphosis called?
Nymph.
What kind of mouthparts soak up liquid food like a sponge?
Sponging mouthparts.
When are many moths active and feeding?
At night.
Why are termites called decomposers?
They break down dead trees and turn them into rich soil.
What two structures help insects gather information about their environment?
Antennae and eyes.
What is one difference between the pupa coverings of butterflies and moths?
A butterfly’s pupa is called a chrysalis; a moth’s pupa is usually enclosed in a cocoon.
Name two ways compound eyes and simple eyes differ.
They differ in the number of lenses and the area they can see; the images they form also differ.
Name three characteristics butterflies and moths share.
They have compound eyes, complete metamorphosis, and siphoning mouthparts.
How did God design termites to succeed as social insects?
God gave termites instincts that help them work together to survive and accomplish things they could not do alone.