4-H Study Materials
for Entomology Contests
January 2003
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4-H Study Materials |
January 2003 |
Anyone studying insects should have a basic knowledge of insect structure. The following diagrams label the basic structural parts of insects.
To identify insects and understand their role in the environment, one must be acquainted with basic anatomy. Important features include types of mouthparts (chewing, piercing-sucking, siphoning, cutting-lapping, sponging, etc.), types of legs, (jumping, grasping, digging, swimming, running, etc.), and various modifications of wings, antennae, and other body parts. Anatomical features are useful in identifying habitat and food source. For example, we know that the praying mantis is an excellent predator because its front legs are modified to grasp prey and because of its strong, chewing mouthparts.
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Figure 1. Ant body parts |
Black carpenter
ant,
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Figure 2. Beetle body parts |
Ground beetle |
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Figure 3. Spider body parts
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Spider leg |
Widow spider |
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Figure 4. Grasshopper body parts |
Grasshopper leg
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Grasshopper |
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Figure 5. Grasshopper Digestive Tract
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