Insects: Miniature Marvels of Creation

Special characteristics of insects:

1. an outside skeleton or exoskeleton
• invertebrates - an animal without backbones have exoskeleton.
• an insects skeleton is lighter and stronger than bone.
• when vertebrate animal grow, their bones grow, but an insect's exoskeleton cannot grow with the insects. when insects grow, a new exoskeleton grow under the old skeleton. This precess called molting (the shedding of outer skin, scales, feathers, horns, or hair).
2. 3 body parts
• Insect head: contains the insects brain, antennae, eyes and mouth part. 
• Insect thorax: is the middle body part where the wings and legs are attached.   
• The insect's abdomen: the last body part contains the insect's heart and stomach.   
3. six jointed legs    

Only the female bee has a stinger. Male (drone) doesn't. The females of some, like the cricket, have a long, narrow, egg-laying part called ovipositor. The ovipositor is not as noticeable on others.

Science G4, 1st Semester.
First week on August 2015.