Insect and Pest Management: Life Cycles of Insects

Vocabulary flashcards derived from the lecture notes on the life cycles of insects, covering key terms and definitions related to insect metamorphosis and life stages.

Life Cycle

A series of stages of growth from egg to maturity for all insects.

Metamorphosis

The process where insects develop, grow, and change form throughout their life cycle.

Incomplete Metamorphosis (IM)

When insects hatch from an egg and move through several nymphal stages until maturity.

Nymph Stage - IM

The immature form of insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Thin exoskeleton, no wings, and are not fully mature

Instar

The phase between two periods of molting for an insect.

Complete Metamorphosis (CM)

Insects that hatch from an egg and complete four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Larval Stage

The immature stage for complete metamorphosis where insects primarily eat and grow. Looks like a worm and emerges from an egg.

Pupa Stage

The resting stage where insects transition from larva to adult. This is where a change in form will happen.

Adult Stage

The final stage of an insect's life cycle primarily focused on reproduction. They will have wings in this stage.

Molting

The process of shedding an exoskeleton for growth and development in insects.

Egg State (IM)

Often lay eggs cases, which protects and holds the eggs together, IM species hatch into miniature adults and not as larva

IM stands for…

Incomplete Metamorphosis

As nymphs grow

They shed their outer skin called the exoskeleton; this process is called molting

First Intar

emerges from the egg and develops to the first molt

IM Insects do not complete _______

a resting state (pupa)

How many instars do insects commonly have

3-6

What type of insects are grasshoppers, earwigs, praying mantis, and crickets

Incomplete Metamorphosis Insects

Percent of insects that undergo complete metamorphosis

74%

Example of a CM insect that has different mouth parts from larva to adult stage

Caterpillars and moths have chewing mouthparts as larva but as adults they have siphoning mouth parts such as those found in butterflies and moths

This type of insect lives in different habitats

Complete Metamorphosis (CM)

Grubs

common name for beetle larvae, have 3 pairs of legs, no prolegs on the abdomen

Caterpillars

Butterfly or moth larvae, have three pair of legs on the thoracic segment

Maggots

often legless but designed to move through organic material

Second immature stage for CM insects

Pupa Stage

Larva will seek protection during this stage

Pupa Stage

During this stage CM insects may spin a cocoon, web, or roll in a leaf

Pupa Stage

What are cocoons made of

Silk produced by larvae from modified salivary glands

Chrysalis

A protective casing that some insects, such as butterflies, form during the pupal stage, allowing for transformation into adult form.

Many insects in CM die soon after what stage and doing what….

mating and laying eggs