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The head is the front of the three body parts of
an adult insect. It bears the eyes (usually a pair
of compound eyes), the antennae and the
mouthparts.
The thorax is the middle of the three body parts
of an adult insect. It is located just behind the
head. It is composed of 3 segments. It bears 3
pairs of legs (one on each segment) and usually 2
pairs of wings. Some insects have only 1 pair of
wings.
The abdomen is the last of the three body parts of an
adult insect. The abdomen is divided into eleven smaller
segments, although these are not always easy (or even
possible) to see. It is not uncommon for the abdomen to be
longer than the head and thorax combined. The abdomen
contains much of the digestive and respiratory systems of
the insect and on each side has a row of small structures,
called spiracles, through which they breathe.
On the next screen we will learn
more about insects. Let’s watch the
movie to learn more about insects.
Tiny eggs are laid by the female
on a leaf. Around 5 days later, a tiny wormlike
creature will hatch.
The caterpillar is the primary eating and growth stage
of the insect.
The pupa is the resting or transformation stage, and
within it the marvelous transformation from caterpillar
to adult butterfly takes place.
A butterfly or moth is emerging now. The pupa
skin splits, the limp, damp butterfly crawls
out. The wings are expanded and blood is
pumping into them. A little warming from the
sun and it is now ready to fly off to feed and
then lay its eggs.
Mother ladybugs
lay 10 to 15 eggs
on the bottom of a leaf.
The eggs look like
tiny, long, yellow
jelly beans.
Larvae crawl out of their eggs and
begin to look for food.
They look like tiny
alligators--and they bite!
As the rapidly grow,
the larvae shed their
skin several times.
In about two weeks, the bigger larvae
begin to look a little different, something
like a lobster without legs and claws.
They attach themselves to a leaf and
hardly move at all. They are doing
something extraordinary under their skins.
In another few days the
ladybug splits its pupa and
emerges looking very different.
Now it looks just like its
mother--a perfect adult
ladybug.
Now it is your turn!!
Open kidpix and draw an insect.
Be sure and show the three body
parts!