Insects have an exoskeleton, segmented bodies, and three pairs of jointed legs. They go through four life stages - egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Ants in particular have eggs that are 1 mm long, worm-like larvae that molt and are fed by workers, a pupal stage where they spin cocoons and metamorphose, and then emerge as adults.

1. Insects What are they?

2. Arthropods a hard external skeleton (called a exoskeleton) a segmented body at least three pairs of jointed legs body divided into three major parts have at least one pair of antennae

3. Arthropods they are invertebrates (no backbone) they are cold blooded they are divided into 30 different Orders (groups) based on mouthparts, wings, and development showed up on Earth 400 million years ago

4. Life Cycle

5. Ant Life Cycle The life cycle of the ant consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Fertilized eggs produce female ants (queens, workers, or soldiers); unfertilized eggs produce male ants. Egg : Ant eggs are oval shaped and tiny (they are on the order of 1 mm long, but the queen's egg is many times larger). Larva : The worm-like larvae have no eyes and no legs; they eat food regurgitated by adult ants. The larvae molt (shed their skin) many times as they increase in size. Pupa : After reaching a certain size, the larva spins a silk-like cocoon around itself (against a solid object, like the wall of the chamber) and pupates. During this time the body metamorphoses (changes) into its adult form. Adult : The pupa emerges as an adult. The entire life cycle usually lasts from 6 to 10 weeks. Some queens can live over 15 years, and some workers can live for up to 7 years.

6. Adaptations Mouthparts – Structure and Function Chewing Sucking Sponging Lapping

7. Chewing Mouthparts

8. Sucking Mouthparts

9. Wings insects developed wings to escape predators and to colonize new habitats wings can provide protection for the softer parts of insects wings also have changed in size to create fast flight times

10. Insect Senses Insects taste using their mouthparts and their FEET-some use their antennae Insects smell using their antennae Insects touch using small hairs found on their bodies (they can feel wind) Insects hear using smalls hairs, usually found on their legs Insects have two compound eyes (for movement, color, and images) Insects can have up to three simple eyes (see light and dark)

12. Habitats Insects inhabit almost every type of environment except for salt water They can be found on all continents They live in plants, wood, living animals, and fresh water Insects adapt their bodies to the environment that they live in

13. Insect Behavior It is mostly instinctive – instincts are determined by genes before it hatches from an egg They are programmed to eat certain foods, to defend against attack Insects do have the ability to learn – identify locations by sight Insects also learn by trial and error

14. Insect Benefits Eat other pesky insects Eat weeds Eat dead plants and animals Pollinate plants Make honey Make medication Make clothing Beautiful to look at and collect Eaten by other animals

15. Harmful Insects Injury or death from bite or sting Transmit viruses Attack food sources Eat homes