Insects
1. What is the ratio of insects to humans? 200 million to one
2. What three things do all insects have in common? three body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen); they are invertebrates; they have six legs (and most have wings)
3. What protects the inner organs of an insect? an exoskeleton
4. What prevents insects from growing too large? their exoskeleton would be too heavy
5. How do insects get oxygen? through spiracles (holes in their sides)
6. What beneficial purpose do insects serve for plants? they are pollinators
7. What allows insects to compete with humans? they reproduce rapidly, flight
8. What are the steps of complete metamorphosis? egg, larva, pupa, adult
9. What are the steps of incomplete metamorphosis? egg, nymph, adult
10. What causes the wings to expand? blood is pumped into the wings
11. What kind of eyes do insects have? compound
12. How do insects produce sounds? vibrating or rubbing wings together
13. How do insects communicate? sound, pheromones
14. For what purpose do insects communicate? finding a mate, leading a trail to food
15. How do insects protect themselves? chemicals, camouflage
16. What colors represent danger? red and black; yellow and black
17. What kind of mouth parts do caterpillars have? scissor
18. What kind of mouth parts do butterflies have? tube-like proboscis
19. What kind of mouth parts do flies have? spongy proboscis
20. How do social insects maintain their society? organization: each member has a special job
21. What happens to insect populations when pesticides are used? they become pesticide resistant
22. What useful purposes do insects serve? decomposers; pollinators