Knowra Insect Insect An arthropod in class Insecta, typically characterized by a three-part body, six legs, and one or two pairs of wings. Insects form the most diverse animal class.
Arthropod : An invertebrate animal with a segmented body, jointed appendages, and an external skeleton. Insects are one major lineage within this broader animal group.
Exoskeleton : A supportive external covering that protects an animal and provides attachment sites for muscles. An insect’s rigid cuticle supports its body but must be shed for growth.
Pollination : The transfer of pollen from an anther to a receptive stigma, enabling fertilization in seed plants. Bees and other insects pollinate many wild plants and crops.
Hexapoda : The arthropod group characterized by six legs, including insects and several smaller lineages. Insects belong to this broader group, which also contains wingless relatives.
Food web : A network of feeding relationships through which energy and nutrients move among organisms. Insects serve as prey, predators, herbivores, and decomposers in many food webs.
Head (anatomy) : The anterior body region that bears sensory organs and feeding structures. An insect’s head carries its antennae, eyes, and mouthparts.
Ecdysis : The periodic shedding of an arthropod’s old external cuticle to permit growth or change in form. Insects grow by molting their cuticle through this process.
Biological pest control : The use of living organisms to suppress populations of pests. Predatory and parasitic insects can limit agricultural pests.
Myriapoda : An arthropod group that includes centipedes and millipedes, usually with many body segments and legs. Myriapods are terrestrial arthropods often confused with insects but have more than six legs.
Decomposition : The breakdown of dead organic matter into simpler substances by biological and physical processes. Insects such as termites and beetle larvae help process dead plants and animals.
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