What is an Insect?
At The Bug Gals, we keep a variety of different invertebrate creatures. Many of these are known as insects, but what does that term really mean?
Insects have 3 body segments - the name “insect” means “cut into parts.” Insects have a separate head, thorax, and abdomen.
The head usually has a mouth, eyes, and two antennae. The thorax is the middle segment and usually has legs and wings. The abdomen is the last body segment and has spiracles, which are holes insects use to breath air.
Insects are well known for having six legs. The number of legs can help identify whether a creature is an insect or part of another group, such as an arachnid.
Insects are arthropods. This means they have a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton that protects their soft insides.
You can learn more about insects and other arthropods at our bug parties for kids!
