Insects are representatives of the arthropod type. Features of structure and vital functions

Insects are representatives of the arthropod type. Their characteristic feature is the presence of limbs, consisting of individual segments. Class Insects is the most numerous and has about 1 million species. Cockroaches, grasshoppers, beetles, butterflies, wasps, bees - it is simply impossible to enumerate all! What features allowed them to get so widespread? The theme "Insects and their features" is very interesting. Let's study it in more detail.

Structure

The departments of the body that have insects (see photo in the article) are the head, chest and abdomen. On the head is a pair of antennae, the length of which varies and serves as an important systematic feature.

Insects are arthropods with a variety of types of oral apparatus. Distinguish the following varieties: gnawing - in cockroaches and beetles, prickly-sucking - in aphids and mosquitoes, licking - in flies. The type of mouthpiece depends on the nature of the food. In bees and bumblebees, it is gnawing and licking, and in butterflies it sucks.

Breast of insects consists of three segments, each of which carries a pair of articulate limbs. Most of the representatives of this class also have wings. They are the outgrowths of the epithelial cover tissue. Fleas and lice wings are not due to lack of their functional need. The abdomen is almost always devoid of limbs.

The insect cover consists of chitin carbohydrate, additionally covered with a wax-like substance. It protects the body from excessive evaporation of water. On the covers are also located special hairs, which act as the organs of touch and hearing.

Wonderful transformation

The process of development of insects takes place in a special way. In organisms with incomplete transformation from the larva, an adult is formed. Moreover, these two stages do not differ in morphological features except in size. This is how the development of such detachments, as cockroaches, orthopterans, termites, lice, bedbugs and mantises.

Coleoptera and fleas have a different type of transformation - complete. Its essence lies in the fact that the larva at the early stage of development emerges from the egg, turning into a pupa. At this stage, the initial organs are destroyed and new ones formed. So an adult is formed. An important fact is that the larva and imago do not look alike. For example, the Colorado beetle at the initial stage of development is similar to a small worm.

Habitat

Insects are one of the few representatives of the animal world that have mastered all habitats. So, termites are able to make moves in the soil at a depth of 35 m, many bedbugs are adapted to life in water. Representatives of the squad are semi-feathery are parasites. But the prevailing part is common in the land-air environment.

Characteristic signs of insects

Insects (photos show a variety of representatives) have signs according to which taxonomists distinguish them into a separate class of type Arthropods. These are three pairs of limbs and parts of the body (head, chest, abdomen), the presence of a pair of tendrils on the head, respiratory organs - trachea, and the secretions are malpighian vessels.

Diversity and importance of insects

What insect from the Hymenoptera order is public? Of course it's a bee. Its main importance lies in the acquisition of honey and pollen from pollen.

Representatives of the detachment cockroaches fly very badly, but they are well oriented in space with the help of long antennae.

Locusts, bears and crickets are orthoptera. This group includes grasshoppers, and crickets, which have special adaptations. This so-called mirror - a thin membrane - and a bow - a vein with denticles.

Insects belonging to the Bedbug group have a flattened body on which no wings are formed. Their absence is compensated by the ability to easily jump for a decent distance.

Insects - this and all the representatives of the order beetles, having rigid elytra, tightly covering the abdomen.

Who among us did not admire the fluttering flight of beautiful butterflies? They are also insects. They are not only beautiful. Many of them are useful. Thus, the silkworm is "headed" by the whole production. It is artfully bred in many countries of the world. And the product of its life is natural silk.

Thus, insects are a class of arthropod animals, most of which are adapted to flight. Thanks to a sufficiently high level of organization, they have mastered all habitats, taking their niche in the system of the organic world.