- Entomology for beginners
- Butterflies for beginners
- Insect classification
- Key to insect orders
- Proverbs and quotes about insects and spiders
- Insects and spiders in Harry Potter books
- Glossary of entomology
- Insects alphabet
- Araneology for beginners
- Tropical Fruits
Have you ever considered eating insects?
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Entomology is the study of insects. This page provides some basic information on insects. First a quick look at the anatomy of adult insects. Then a short story about the metamorphosis of insects. Insect anatomy To learn more about the anatomy, click on the different body parts of this insect !!
Metamorphosis of insects In their development from egg to adult, insects change in form. The different instars are not alike, which is called metamorphosis. There are two general types of metamorphosis: simple metamorphosis and complete metamorphosis. Simple metamorphosis In simple metamorphosis the wings develop externally during the larval stages. The larval stages, which are called nymphs, look very similar to the adult insect. There is no pupal stage.
The figure shows the development from an egg via 5 larval instars to an adult bug. Complete metamorphosis In a complete metamorphosis the wings develop internally during the larval stages. The larval stages look quite different from the adult. Between the last larval stage and the adult stage there is a pupal stage which usually is inactive.
The figure shows the development from an egg via the larval stage (caterpillar) and pupa to an adult butterfly or moth. |
Learn more about insects
How do insects find each other?
There are hundred thousands of different species of insects. How do we keep these insects apart? Learn more about Insect Classification.
For some people insects are beautiful, for others they are just pests who should be killed. Of course, bed bugs are no fun, and a mosquito or wasp can be a nuisance. And you don't want beetles or caterpillars eating the vegetables in your garden. However, if you have problems with insects, don't be an exterminator. Don't think immediately of using toxic insecticides, but try to use safer ways of pest control. Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) instead of pest control with insecticides. Learn more about Integrated Pest Management.
See also: Araneology for beginners (Araneology is the study about spiders)
