Chapter 39 - Vocab

Head

The anterior part of an insect body with eyes, antennae, and mouthparts

Thorax

The body section behind the head, has the legs and wings. Sections are Prothorax, Mesothorax, and metathorax

Abdomen

The posterior section of the body containing the reproductive and digestive organs

fore Wings

Outgrowths of the body wall that enable insects to fly. The first pair of wings is sometimes modified into a protective covering for the hind wings

Ovipositor

A specialized structure at the end of the female abdomen for laying eggs

Jumping Legs

launches the insect over 20 times its body length, storing elastic energy in specialized cuticle springs, and provides defensive kicks

Walking legs

Slow movement, stability, foraging, and clinging to vegetation

Compound eye

Large eyes used to detect light intensity

Simple eye

Three small eyes used to detect light intensity

Antenna

thread like structures used for smell and touch

Spiracles

Breathing pores

Drones

Male bees that develop from unfertilized eggs whose job is to deliver sperm to the queen

Metamorphosis

Change in form

Worker

Sterile female bees

pupa

A stage in development when the insect changed from larvae to an adult

cocoon

protective case for the moth larvae

Pheromone

Chemical released by an animal that affects its behavior or that of other animals

entomology

Study of insects

Chrysalis

protective case for the butterfly larvae

Queen

only fertile female bee whose job is to reproduce

Tympanum

sound sensing organ

nymph

Immature form of an insect that resembles the adult

Pronotum

The specific, prominent plate directly behind the head covering the top of the prothorax.

Exoskeleton

rigid outer covering, which consists of three thoracic segments (prothorax, mesothorax, metathorax) that allow for leg and wing attachment