Hobbies And Interests
Identification
All insects and bugs have the same physical makeup that separates them from other creatures, even similar ones like spiders. They all have six legs and a segmented body that is made up of a head, a thorax and an abdomen. Insects and bugs also have two antennae, which act as sensory devices. The bodies of insects and bugs are covered in exoskeletons that are tough enough to offer some protection to the vital organs. In addition, insects and bugs are cold-blooded, so their growth is dependent on the temperature of their environment.
Geography
Insects are found across the globe and in every possible climate. In fact, the only places that they are not commonly found, though still exist in, are the oceans of the world. Even in the frigid arctic tundra, species of insects exist and thrive in the warmer months. Insects even live on and inside other animals, including human beings.
Breadth of Species
There are more insects and bugs on the Earth than any other type of creature. It is commonly said that there are approximately 1,017,018 different species of insects and bugs, though some experts claim there are more. At any given time, there are about 10 quintillion individual living insects. Thirty-two different orders of insects exist, with the most populous and varied being the beetles. There are 125 families and 500,000 species of beetles.
Bugs
The word "bug" is often used synonymously with the word insect, but in fact it is its own set of insects, though the two are very similar. Bugs include all of the members of the order Hemiptera, which means "half-wing." The order contains 35,000 different species, all of which have long, sucking mouthpieces at the top of the head that are mainly used to extract juices from plants. The assassin bug, however, uses its mouthpiece to feed on other insects. Another unique characteristic of bugs are the thick, membranous bases of their forewings. The hind wings of bugs are usually tucked behind the front ones.
Metamorphosis
All insects go through one of two types of metamorphoses. Complete metamorphosis is undergone by 88 percent of insects. The egg comes first and is laid by female insects. Worm-like larvae hatch, and as they grow, they molt several times. The larvae eventually cocoon themselves and become pupa. Pupa do not eat, but grow into adults within four months to several years, depending on the species. The insect leaves the cocoon as an adult. Some insects (12 percent) go through incomplete metamorphosis. This begins with the egg, followed by a nymph stage. Nymphs are smaller versions of adult insects and molt as they grow into adults.