EntomologyEntomology

Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office

July 2002

EntomologyEntomology

What is Entomology?What is Entomology?

Entomology is the study of insects. Entomology is the study of insects. Insects are always around us. Insects are always around us. Scientists called entomologist spend Scientists called entomologist spend most of their time studying insects.most of their time studying insects.

EntomologyEntomology

What is the average amount of What is the average amount of insects that are on the earth’s insects that are on the earth’s surface?surface?

More than 750,000 species of insects More than 750,000 species of insects have been identified.have been identified.

EntomologyEntomology

Are all insects harmful to humans?Are all insects harmful to humans?

No. Only about 10,000 are harmful to No. Only about 10,000 are harmful to humans.humans.

EntomologyEntomology

Classification of insects:Classification of insects: Different levels of classifying insects:Different levels of classifying insects:

– KingdomKingdom– PhylaPhyla– ClassClass– OrderOrder– FamilyFamily– GenusGenus– SpeciesSpecies

EntomologyEntomology

The highest classification level is The highest classification level is the kingdom.the kingdom.

The most specific classification is The most specific classification is the species level.the species level.

Organisms are classified by genus Organisms are classified by genus and species.and species.

This is called a binomial This is called a binomial nomenclature.nomenclature.

EntomologyEntomology

Six orders of insects:Six orders of insects:

Orthoptera - grasshopper and locustOrthoptera - grasshopper and locust Hemiptera -leaf hoppers and plant Hemiptera -leaf hoppers and plant

bugsbugs Lepidoptera – moths and butterfliesLepidoptera – moths and butterflies Homoptera - aphidsHomoptera - aphids

EntomologyEntomology

Cont…Cont… Thysanoptera - thripsThysanoptera - thrips Coleoptera - beetles (the largest Coleoptera - beetles (the largest

group of the insect orders)group of the insect orders)

EntomologyEntomology

How are insects grouped?How are insects grouped? Insects are grouped by their mouth Insects are grouped by their mouth

parts.parts.

EntomologyEntomology

Six different mouth partsSix different mouth parts SpongingSponging Rasping- suckingRasping- sucking SiphoningSiphoning Chewing-lappingChewing-lapping ChewingChewing Piercing- suckingPiercing- sucking

EntomologyEntomology

Insects have no internal skeleton. Insects have no internal skeleton. They rely on a hard outer coating They rely on a hard outer coating called exoskeleton to protect the called exoskeleton to protect the inner organs and support the body.inner organs and support the body.

EntomologyEntomology

What are the parts of an insect?What are the parts of an insect? Three parts to an insectThree parts to an insect

HeadHead ThoraxThorax AbdomenAbdomen

EntomologyEntomology

HeadHead The head has a pair of compound The head has a pair of compound

eyes and two sensory appendages eyes and two sensory appendages called antennae.called antennae.

EntomologyEntomology

ThoraxThorax The thorax is divided into three The thorax is divided into three

segments. Three pairs of legs are segments. Three pairs of legs are attached to the thorax.attached to the thorax.

EntomologyEntomology

AbdomenAbdomen The abdomen is attached to the The abdomen is attached to the

thorax.thorax.

EntomologyEntomology

Insects will complete one of three Insects will complete one of three different life cycles.different life cycles. No Metamorphosis - no changeNo Metamorphosis - no change Incomplete Metamorphosis - gradual Incomplete Metamorphosis - gradual

changechange Complete Metamorphosis - complete Complete Metamorphosis - complete

changechange

EntomologyEntomology

Incomplete MetamorphosisIncomplete Metamorphosis EggEgg Early nymph (no wings)Early nymph (no wings) Late nymph (wings developing)Late nymph (wings developing) Adult Adult

EntomologyEntomology

Complete MetamorphosisComplete Metamorphosis EggEgg Larva Larva Pupa Pupa AdultAdult

EntomologyEntomology

What is a larva?What is a larva? A larva is a young insect with a A larva is a young insect with a

soft tubular body and looks very soft tubular body and looks very much like a worm.much like a worm.

EntomologyEntomology

What is a pupa?What is a pupa? The pupa stage is a dormant stage The pupa stage is a dormant stage

where the larva changes into an where the larva changes into an adult. adult.

EntomologyEntomology

What are Phytophagous insects?What are Phytophagous insects? Phyto means plant and phagous Phyto means plant and phagous

means eating. Whenever a plant is means eating. Whenever a plant is eaten, it is damaged in terms of eaten, it is damaged in terms of growth and productivity.growth and productivity.