Portal:Insects
The Insects Portal
Insects (from Latin insectum) are hexapod invertebrates of the class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and a pair of antennae. Insects are the most diverse group of animals, with more than a million described species; they represent more than half of all animal species. (Full article...)
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Earwigs make up the insect order Dermaptera. With about 2,000 species in 12 families, they are one of the smaller insect orders. Earwigs have characteristic cerci, a pair of forceps-like pincers on their abdomen, and membranous wings folded underneath short, rarely used forewings, hence the scientific order name, "skin wings". Some groups are tiny parasites on mammals and lack the typical pincers. Earwigs are found on all continents except Antarctica.
Earwigs are mostly nocturnal and often hide in small, moist crevices during the day, and are active at night, feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants. Damage to foliage, flowers, and various crops is commonly blamed on earwigs, especially the common earwig Forficula auricularia. (Full article...)Did you know -
- ... that scientists first discovered the biological screw joint in the Papuan weevil Trigonopterus oblongus?
- ... that fossils of extinct giant cicadas were once misidentified as the oldest known butterflies?
- ... that some species of the stick insect genus Timema have not had sex for over a million years?
- ... that the family placement for the fossil moth genus Dominickus was not noticed until entomologist Norman Tindale looked at pictures of modern moths from Australia?
- ... that tiny Paederus beetles may have caused some of the ten Plagues of Egypt?
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Insects are the only group of invertebrates known to have evolved flight. Insects possess some remarkable flight characteristics and abilities, still far superior to attempts by humans to replicate their capabilities.
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