Body Segment: The Thorax

The thorax of insects carries the appendages needed for movement—the legs and the wings. The legs are covered by exoskeleton and are subdivided into several sections. The six legs are divided into 3 matching pairs. The legs of each pair are attached on opposite sides of the thorax. The wings are often clear with veins […]

Insect Body Structure & Function

As discussed on the previous page, the anatomy of insects includes 3 main body segments: the (head, thorax and Abdomen), all of which are covered by a chemically complex exoskeleton. The exoskeleton has portions that are hard and a waxy outer layer that is very important because it stops water loss from the body and thus keeps insects from […]

What is an Insect?

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on our planet. Several hundred thousand types of insects have been described—more than 3 times as the rest of the animals combined! They live in almost all areas including terrestrial (on land and in the air, including in the soil, on treetops, in caves, and just about […]