insecta
Six-legged arthropods
Insecta is the taxonomic class comprising insects—six-legged arthropods including beetles, flies, ants, butterflies, and bees.
The group contains more species than all other animal classes combined.
In scientific writing, the Latin name appears italicized: Class Insecta includes over a million described species.
Multi-lensed visual organs
- spiraclesExternal respiratory apertures
- tracheaeMain airways in throats
- wingsLimbs for flight
- legsLocomotion appendages below torso
mouthparts · mandibles · proboscis · ovipositor · ocelli · ganglia · thorax · abdomen
Arthropod shell polymer
- cuticleDead skin at nail base
- elytraHardened forewings of beetles
- integumentNatural outer covering
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
thorax · abdomen · hardened · segmented · molting · protective · covering · forewing
Grouping by shared traits
- phylumMajor classification rank
- entomologyStudy of insects
- coleopteraOrder containing beetles
- lepidopteraButterfly and moth order
diptera · hymenoptera · orthoptera · species · order · family · genus · classification
Immature feeding stage
- pupaInsect's resting stage
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
- nymphNature spirit or larva
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
cocoon · imago · instar · molting · pupation · transformation · maggot · grub
Flower reproductive transfer
- herbivoryPlant consumption by animals
- detritivoresCreatures consuming dead material
- pestsBothersome insects or animals
- decompositionBreakdown into simpler parts
predation · parasitism · mimicry · camouflage · swarming · colony · hive · infestation
compound eyes
Multi-lensed visual organs
legs · mouthparts · mandibles · proboscis · ovipositor · ocelli · ganglia · thorax · abdomen · head
chitin
Arthropod shell polymer
- cuticleDead skin at nail base
- elytraHardened forewings of beetles
- integumentNatural outer covering
carapace · thorax · abdomen · hardened · segmented · molting · protective · covering · forewing · hindwing
class
Grouping by shared traits
- phylumMajor classification rank
- entomologyStudy of insects
- coleopteraOrder containing beetles
lepidoptera · diptera · hymenoptera · orthoptera · species · order · family · genus · classification
larva
Immature feeding stage
caterpillar · cocoon · imago · instar · molting · pupation · transformation · maggot · grub · naiad
pollination
Flower reproductive transfer
- herbivoryPlant consumption by animals
- detritivoresCreatures consuming dead material
- pestsBothersome insects or animals
decomposition · predation · parasitism · mimicry · camouflage · swarming · colony · hive · infestation · biological control
feelers
Sensory touch organs
pedicel · scape · setae · filiform · chemoreception · olfaction · tactile · vibrations · palpation · serrate
insectaarachnida
Eight-legged arthropod class
crustacea · spiders · crabs · lobsters · centipedes
insectamammals
Hair-bearing, milk-producing animals
vertebrates · birds · fish · reptiles · amphibians
- stick insectsTwig-shaped camouflaged bugs
- insect repellentSubstance deterring biting pests
- insect collection
- insect bites
- insect stingsVenomous punctures from arthropods
- insect killer
insect, insects, insectivore, insectivorous, insectarium, insectary