Did you know that there are more insects in the world than all the other animals in the world? Students in this lesson will learn about the body parts and life cycle of insects while also learning how insects can be helpful but also harmful for humans. Enjoy a fun activity outside looking for insects and their current life cycle.
Overview
Teacher Guide
Background
In nature, springtime is known for being when babies are born. During April and May deer, raccoons, possums, coyotes and many more wild animals are having babies. Fish and frogs are laying eggs. Many insects are laying eggs too!
Have you ever noticed all the insects on a warm spring day? Bees, flies, butterflies and many more. That’s because they have a lot of work to do to survive and to make more insects.
Did you know that there are more insects in the world than any other animals? Way more!!! The human population is over 7 billion. That’s a seven followed by nine zeros. But there are over 10 quintillion insects on earth. That’s a 10 followed by 18 zeros! The weight of all the ants in the world is equal to the weight of all of the people in the world.
Insects can come in many shapes and sizes, but most insects have three major body parts: Head, thorax and abdomen. Like us, the brain, mouth, eyes and other parts are located on the head. The thorax is where the legs and wings are attached. All insects have six legs. The heart, digestive organs and many other organs are located in the abdomen.
Insects have different types of life cycles but the most common one is complete metamorphosis. Below is a diagram of this:
Many insects spend the winter as a pupa. When it warms up, the pupa comes out of hibernation and the adult emerges to start the lifecycle.
Insects affect our lives every day. They have a huge impact on the production of our food. Farmers try to control the insects to keep them from harming our food supply and they do their best to avoid hurting the insects that are helpful. Understand that insects may bug us but our planet depends on them for life!
This lesson is the work product of the Kansas Corn Commission. Our lessons are written in collaboration with Kansas teachers for use in the classroom. Teachers may copy and share this curriculum. Use of this product for commercial or promotional use is prohibited without express permission of Kansas Corn.
