18 Questions
What is the anatomical feature of certain insect orders such as beetles and some true bugs that is referred to as the elytron?
Hardened forewing
Which term in entomology refers to the feeding on other insects?
Entomophagy
In insects, what is contained in the hemocoel?
Hemolymph or haemocyte
Which leg segment of an insect is located between the trochanter and tibia?
Femur
What is the area on an insect's head that is equivalent to human cheeks called?
Gena
What are the tagmata or body regions in Arachnids?
Prosoma and opisthosoma
Which term in entomology refers to the pair of wings of a four-winged insect closest to the head?
Forewing
Which classification of organisms has little evidence of external segmentation?
Arachnida
What is a spinneret in arthropods primarily used for?
Silk spinning
Which classification of organisms has gonopores located on the base of posterior thoracic appendages?
Crustacea
How many pairs of antennae do members of Arachnida have?
One pair
In which classification of organisms is the body typically divided into a cephalothorax and an abdomen?
Arachnida
What is the main function of hemolymph in insects?
Transporting nutrients and waste products
Which anatomical feature in insects is responsible for feeding and sucking?
Proboscis
What is the primary purpose of the femur in insects?
Locomotion
What term describes the feeding behavior of insects that consume plant material?
Entomophagy
Which anatomical feature of insects is involved in egg-laying?
Ovipositor
What is the purpose of elytra in some insects?
Protection
Study Notes
Insect Anatomy
- Compound eye: consists of a large number of individual photoreceptor units or ommatidia
- Coxa: first leg segment, between body and trochanter
- Dorsal: refers to the back or upper part of the body
- Elytron: modified, hardened forewing of certain insect orders (e.g., beetles, true bugs)
- Face: area between the base of antennae, oral margin, eyes, and cheeks (gena)
- Femur: third leg segment, between trochanter and tibia
- Forewing: pair of wings of a four-winged insect closest to the head
- Frons: frontal area of an insect's head (forehead)
- Gena: area below the compound eyes, equivalent to human cheeks
- Geniculate: elbowed, referring to an organ with a definite angular bend or hinge (e.g., elbowed antenna)
More Insect Anatomy
- Hemocoel: interior of the insect's anatomy, including all organs and hemocytes (body cavity)
- Hemolymph or haemocyte: fluid in the circulatory system containing nutrients, fat, water, etc. (blood)
- Hindwing: pair of wings of a four-winged insect farthest from the head
- Hypopharynx: mouthpart, a tonguelike lobe on the floor of the mouth
- Imago: final, or adult, stage in metamorphosis
- Labium: mouthpart forming the lower lip, bears labial palps
- Labrum: anterior structure below the clypeus, covering some of the mouthparts (upper lip)
- Maxilla: mouthpart, paired and arranged behind the mandibles, may bear palps
Insect Body Structure
- Mesothorax: middle segment of the thorax, between the prothorax and the metathorax
- Metathorax: third and last segment of the thorax, after the mesothorax
- Oviposition: act of laying eggs
- Ovipositor: egg-laying structure
- Parasitoid: parasite that develops attached to or within a host organism, ultimately killing the host
- Pedicel: second segment (antennomere) of the antenna
- Phytophagy: feeding on plants
- Posterior: position behind or below the aforementioned
Insect Appendages
- Proboscis: tubular feeding and sucking organ
- Proleg: fleshy leg-like structures arising from the abdominal segments of caterpillars, with crochets or curved hooks
- Prothorax: first segment of the thorax, anterior to the mesothorax
- Relatives of Insects
Classes of Arthropods
- Class Arachnida (spiders, mites, ticks, scorpions):
- Tagmata: prosoma (cephalothorax) and opisthosoma (abdomen)
- Appendages: chelicerae, pedipalps, and 4 pairs of legs
- Simple eyes present; no antennae; no wings
- Gonopore: hidden in anterior part of ventral surface of opisthosoma (embryologically segment 2)
- Spinneret: silk spinning organ
- Class Crustacea (crayfish, shrimps, crabs):
- Tagmata: varied; head and thorax covered dorsally by an unsegmented carapace (shield-like plate)
- Appendages: biramous (composed of 2 branches)
- Compound eyes on long stalk
- Head appendages: 2 pairs of antennae, 1 pair of mandibles, and 2 pairs of maxillae
- Gonopores: 1 pair located on the base of posterior appendages of thorax
- Class Chilopoda or Symphyla (centipede):
- External segmentation is distinct
- Tagmata: head and trunk
- Head: 1 pair of antennae; mandibles; 2 pairs of maxillae
- Trunk: with only 12 pairs of legs; most segments with 1 pair of legs, some without legs
Test your knowledge of common terminologies in entomology, including compound eye, coxa, dorsal, elytron, and entomophagy. Learn about the anatomical features and behaviors of insects through this quiz.
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