What distinguishes insects from other animals?
Two prominent features distinguish insects from other arthropods, and from all other animals: they have bodies divided into three segments, head, thorax and abdomen and they have six jointed legs. Other common insect features include compound eyes, wings, antennae and multiple-stage life cycles.
What is unique about insects?
Insects are the only arthropods that have wings, and the wings are always attached to the thorax, like the legs. insects that have incomplete metamorphosis. The number of insect species is believed to be between six and ten million. Insect bodies have three parts, the thorax, abdomen and head.
What are the key features that distinguish true bugs from insects?
Insects always have three body parts and six legs. They also usually have four wings and two antennae. “True bugs” have a mouth shaped like straw or needle. These true bugs have specialized parts of their mouths to suck juices, mostly from plants.
How do you differentiate insects?
Insects are distinguished from other arthropods by their body, which is divided into three major regions: (1) the head, which bears the mouthparts, eyes, and a pair of antennae, (2) the three-segmented thorax, which usually has three pairs of legs (hence “Hexapoda”) in adults and usually one or two pairs of wings, and …
Did you know facts about insects?
Fun Insect Facts for Kids
- The number of insect species is believed to be between six and ten million.
- Insect bodies have three parts, the thorax, abdomen and head.
- Insects have two antennae.
- Insects have three pairs of legs.
- Some insects, such as gerridae (water striders), are able to walk on the surface of water.
Why are insects fascinating creatures?
It is believed that insects are so successful because they have a protective shell or exoskeleton, they are small, and they can fly. Their small size and ability to fly permits escape from enemies and dispersal to new environments. In addition, insects can produce large numbers of offspring relatively quickly.
What physical characteristics help identify an insect?
Most insects have five basic physical characteristics:
- Insects have what we call an exoskeleton or a hard, shell-like covering on the outside of its body.
- Insects have three main body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.
- Insects have a pair of antennae on top of their heads.
- Insects have three pairs of legs.