What Is an Insect? Smithsonian Video for Kids

Summary

Insects make up the majority of the animal kingdom, with an astonishing 10 quintillion individuals worldwide and over 900,000 species. This video explores the key features that define insects, such as their three-part body structure (head, thorax, abdomen), six legs, antennae, and wings. Some insects have adapted to not having wings or have modified wings for specialized functions. Understanding the features and diversity of insects helps scientists study their behaviors, environments, and evolutionary changes. Insects play a crucial role in ecosystems, from pollination to serving as food for other animals and even cleaning up waste.

Takeaways

• 😀 Insects make up the majority of animals on Earth, with around 10 quintillion individual insects alive today.
• 😀 There are approximately 900,000 species of insects, making them the most diverse animal group on the planet.
• 😀 Insects are part of a larger group of animals called arthropods, which have exoskeletons and jointed legs.
• 😀 Arthropods, including insects, have existed for over 400 million years.
• 😀 All insects have three main body parts: a head, a thorax, and an abdomen.
• 😀 Insects are characterized by having six legs, which distinguishes them from other arthropods like spiders that have eight.
• 😀 All insects possess a pair of antennae that they use to sense chemical signals in their environment.
• 😀 Insects may have zero or two pairs of wings. Some species, like ants and fleas, have no wings, while others, like dragonflies and butterflies, have two pairs.
• 😀 Certain insects, like flies and beetles, have modified second pairs of wings that serve other functions, such as balance or protection.
• 😀 Insects play vital roles in the ecosystem, including pollinating plants, serving as food for other animals, and aiding in decomposition.

Q & A

What is the proportion of insects compared to other animals on Earth?

Insects make up four out of every five animals on Earth, meaning the majority of animals are insects.

How many individual insects are estimated to be alive on Earth?

It is estimated that there are around 10 quintillion individual insects alive all over the world.

What is the number of insect species known to exist?

There are 900,000 known insect species on Earth.

What is the main group to which insects belong?

Insects are part of the group of animals known as arthropods, which are characterized by exoskeletons and jointed legs.

How long have arthropods, including insects, been around?

Arthropods, including insects, have been around for over 400 million years.

What are the three main body parts of an insect?

All insects have three main body parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen.

How many legs do insects have?

Insects have six legs, which distinguishes them from other arthropods like spiders that have eight legs.

What is the function of an insect’s antennae?

An insect’s antennae are used to sense chemical signals in the air, helping the insect interact with its environment.

Do all insects have wings?

Not all insects have wings. Some insects, like ants or fleas, have no wings, while others may have one or two pairs of wings.

Why do some insects, like flies and beetles, have modified wings?

Insects like flies and beetles have modified wings that serve different functions. For example, flies have halteres, which help maintain balance and steer during flight, while beetles have elytra, hard wing covers that protect their flying wings.