Housefly (Musca domestica) Dimensions & Drawings

What do insects eat?

Insects are able to eat a wide variety of food. About half of insect species are vegetarians and eat leaves, roots, seeds, nectar, or wood. Other species like praying mantises are predators and hunt other small insects. Fleas and lice are parasites and are able to feed on the flesh and blood of larger animals without killing them.

How many legs do insects have?

Insects have 6 legs in total – 3 pairs of jointed legs. Each pair of legs is attached to a body segment. One pair of legs is attached to the prothorax, another pair is attached to the mesothorax, and the last pair to the metathorax.

Why are insects attracted to light?

Insects that are attracted to light are considered positively phototactic. Although it is not known exactly why insects are attracted to light, it is believed that lights act as a navigational guide. Many insects guide themselves by keeping a natural light source such as the sun or moon at a constant angle, and get confused by any artificial light source.

What do insects eat?

Insects are able to eat a wide variety of food. About half of insect species are vegetarians and eat leaves, roots, seeds, nectar, or wood. Other species like praying mantises are predators and hunt other small insects. Fleas and lice are parasites and are able to feed on the flesh and blood of larger animals without killing them.

How many legs do insects have?

Insects have 6 legs in total – 3 pairs of jointed legs. Each pair of legs is attached to a body segment. One pair of legs is attached to the prothorax, another pair is attached to the mesothorax, and the last pair to the metathorax.

Why are insects attracted to light?

Insects that are attracted to light are considered positively phototactic. Although it is not known exactly why insects are attracted to light, it is believed that lights act as a navigational guide. Many insects guide themselves by keeping a natural light source such as the sun or moon at a constant angle, and get confused by any artificial light source.

What is the largest group of arthropods?

The largest group of arthropods are insects, and they can be distinguished from other arthropods through specific characteristics. These characteristics include them having 3 body regions, 3 pairs of legs, as well as a pair of antennae. Most insects also have the ability to fly, which other arthropods lack.

How do arthropods grow?

The arthropods grow through the process of forming new segments near their tail. The growth of an arthropod is very similar to the growth of annelids. Arthropods like mollusks have a tough exoskeleton, but this exoskeleton does not grow along with the rest of the animal and they have to shed their exoskeleton periodically.

Why are arthropods important?

Arthropods are considered because they carry out a different number of roles and tasks. Arthropods can help with pest control or weed control, they also carry an important ecological role due to their large number of species and diversity. Arthropods also serve as food for other species within the food chain.

What is the largest group of arthropods?

The largest group of arthropods are insects, and they can be distinguished from other arthropods through specific characteristics. These characteristics include them having 3 body regions, 3 pairs of legs, as well as a pair of antennae. Most insects also have the ability to fly, which other arthropods lack.

How do arthropods grow?

The arthropods grow through the process of forming new segments near their tail. The growth of an arthropod is very similar to the growth of annelids. Arthropods like mollusks have a tough exoskeleton, but this exoskeleton does not grow along with the rest of the animal and they have to shed their exoskeleton periodically.

Why are arthropods important?

Arthropods are considered because they carry out a different number of roles and tasks. Arthropods can help with pest control or weed control, they also carry an important ecological role due to their large number of species and diversity. Arthropods also serve as food for other species within the food chain.

How do invertebrates protect their soft bodies?

Invertebrates can effectively protect their soft bodies through an outer hard casing that is referred to as the exoskeleton. Invertebrates like spiders, crustaceans, and insects have their exoskeletons made through sections of jointed legs. Others like mollusks like snails and clams have a hard shell in which they can hide when danger is present.

What is the difference between an invertebrate and a vertebrate?

The difference between an invertebrate and a vertebrate is that invertebrates have no backbones while vertebrates have a developed internal skeleton with cartilage and bones as well as a developed brain that is protected by a skull. Vertebrates also cannot make their food, while invertebrates make their food.

Why are invertebrates important?

Invertebrates are important because like bees they help with pollination, as well as help clear and clean up the environment. Invertebrates are also important because they are soil aerators and creators as they help grow food crops. They also provide eco-system balance and serve as food for other species within the food chain.

How do invertebrates protect their soft bodies?

Invertebrates can effectively protect their soft bodies through an outer hard casing that is referred to as the exoskeleton. Invertebrates like spiders, crustaceans, and insects have their exoskeletons made through sections of jointed legs. Others like mollusks like snails and clams have a hard shell in which they can hide when danger is present.

What is the difference between an invertebrate and a vertebrate?

The difference between an invertebrate and a vertebrate is that invertebrates have no backbones while vertebrates have a developed internal skeleton with cartilage and bones as well as a developed brain that is protected by a skull. Vertebrates also cannot make their food, while invertebrates make their food.

Why are invertebrates important?

Invertebrates are important because like bees they help with pollination, as well as help clear and clean up the environment. Invertebrates are also important because they are soil aerators and creators as they help grow food crops. They also provide eco-system balance and serve as food for other species within the food chain.

How do grazing animals help grasslands?

Grazing animals help grasslands by maintaining the ecosystem as well as stimulating plants for new growth. The constant grazing of these animals helps trigger biological activity while promoting nutrient exchanges. Grazing animals also help compact soil with their hooves as well as open new areas for seeds to spread.

What are grazing animals called?

Grazing animals are called ruminants as they eat by looking for forage, selecting the grass, and then grabbing and eating the forage with their mouth. Ruminants stand out from other animals as the way that they grasp and ingest food is different. Grazing animals also move differently in new pastures than other animals.

How do animals adapt to the grasslands?

Animals adapt to the grasslands through multiple factors as they have to withstand the challenges of the grasslands. Animals adapt to the grasslands by being fast and agile as well as carrying out nesting behavior adequate for their environment. Grassland animals typically embrace camouflage to blend, have a structured social system, and burrowing behavior.

How do grazing animals help grasslands?

Grazing animals help grasslands by maintaining the ecosystem as well as stimulating plants for new growth. The constant grazing of these animals helps trigger biological activity while promoting nutrient exchanges. Grazing animals also help compact soil with their hooves as well as open new areas for seeds to spread.

What are grazing animals called?

Grazing animals are called ruminants as they eat by looking for forage, selecting the grass, and then grabbing and eating the forage with their mouth. Ruminants stand out from other animals as the way that they grasp and ingest food is different. Grazing animals also move differently in new pastures than other animals.

How do animals adapt to the grasslands?

Animals adapt to the grasslands through multiple factors as they have to withstand the challenges of the grasslands. Animals adapt to the grasslands by being fast and agile as well as carrying out nesting behavior adequate for their environment. Grassland animals typically embrace camouflage to blend, have a structured social system, and burrowing behavior.

How do forest animals adapt to the changing seasons?

Forest animals adapt to the changing seasons to be able to withstand the cold winters and hot summer temperatures. Forest animals adapt by either hibernating or migrating to warmer weather during the cold. During the warm summer seasons, forest animals typically find an abundance of food and find ways to stay cool.

How do animals help trees?

Animals help trees because they breathe oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide while plants take in carbon dioxide and emit oxygen back into their surrounding air. Plants also serve as food and shelter for animals. Plants rely on animals for seed dispersal and pollination. Plants also help with filtering water that animals drink.