Insects are tiny creatures so tiny that many people can’t notice their amazing body parts. So, in this blog, were going to dive in small and learn about those arms and legs.
The insect body is split into three sections – the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. In almost all insects, the abdomen is larger than the thorax and head. Also, lots of insects have larger heads than thoraxes – large eyes and large jaws take up a lot of space.
Speaking of the head, let’s look at its features first. An insect’s lips are very sophisticated, consisting of four parts. The labrum (upper lip), the labium (bottom lip), the maxillae (the back jaws) and the mandibles – the pincers. The mandibles are commonly the only thing you can see be looking at an insects head. Some fighting insects, such as stag beetles, have larger mandibles than heads! Also, the labium is actually shaped like a tooth, coming up from the bottom jaw. At first, I thought the maxillae was the bottom jaw!
Basically all insects have compound eyes. Compound eyes are eyes with multiple lenses so that the user can see many different angles. This allows many secondary consumers (predators that can be eaten) to be on the lookout for predators and prey at the same time. An example of a secondary consumer with compound eyes (insect) is a dragonfly.
But, normally, eyesight is just half of an insect’s important senses – feel is the other half. Antennae are vital to many insects who live in crowded, condensed places like the rainforests.
Next, let’s get onto the thorax. Nothing much to say – probably the least useful body segment. Apart from connecting the head to the abdomen and carry the legs, not much other use. No wonder why spiders don’t have this bit. Wings are also attached to the thorax.
Finally, the abdomen. Abdomens normally contain the stomach and most tiny but vital internal body features. Also, if you didn’t know, insects don’t have blood vessels – blood just runs where it wants to. Breathing holes are all over the body (called spiracles) that are connected to ‘breathing tubes’ that pumps the oxygen around the body.
Thanks for reading! -Written by EZ
DEC-XZ 