Entomology
Insects are the most diverse group of animals. They are more than just “creepy crawlies”. Insects are beautifully complex creatures.
Insects are Arthropods
Metamorphosis
Insect Pests
Some insects eat plants, causing damage. Insects also carry plant viruses. When the insect eats the plant, it can spread the virus to the plant and make it sick. Controlling insect pests is important for farmers who grow the crops we eat.
Insects that harm humans include mosquitoes, fleas, and lice. Mosquitoes carry many diseases.
Other harmful insects:
Biting flies (horse fly, yellow fly)
Kissing bugs
Beneficial (Good) Insects
Not all insects are bad. There are three main categories of beneficial insects in the garden: pollinators, predators, and parasitizers. You can remember them as The 3 Ps.
Pollinators like butterflies and bees pollinate plants when they drink nectar from a flower. Pollination is necessary for the plant to make seeds.
Predators like ladybugs and praying mantids eat insect pests. This reduces the population of pests, which is good for gardeners. The enemy of your enemy is your friend.
Parasitoids like parasitic wasps lay their eggs on insect pests such as caterpillars. When the eggs hatch, the wasp larvae will eat the caterpillar. This reduces the population of pests.
Dragonflies are an important predator of mosquitoes. Spiders (which are not insects) also eat mosquitoes. So the next time you see a spider, remember that it is helping you by eating mosquitoes.
Class Insecta
Taxonomy is the classification of living things, which helps us understand how they are related. All insects are part of the Class Insecta.
Insects are grouped into different Orders.