Give the student a test they can apply: count the legs, look for the wings.
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Insects are the largest group of animals, and they differ in every way
We all often see many tiny creatures such as houseflies, mosquitoes, butterflies, and so on around us. These are known as insects. Insects are the largest group of animals on the earth, making up a huge part of the natural world we interact with every single day.
The chapter's photographs of four common insects for the naming activity
Look closely at the features of these common insects before trying to name them.
The chapter's photograph groups showing variety within one kind of insect
Even within the same group of insects, there is a large variety of shapes, sizes, and body structures.
The chapter's own naming activity for the four photographs
Insects come in many different shapes and sizes, but some are very common in our daily lives. Let's name the insects from the first picture in order from left to right. The first insect seen resting on the bright yellow flower is a . The second insect, which has striped legs and is resting on human skin, is a . The third insect with bright orange, black, and white patterned wings is a . Finally, the fourth insect with a black and yellow striped body and clear wings is a .
Every insect has three pairs of legs, and many have two pairs of wings
Unlike humans and many other animals, insects do not have bones. Instead, they share a very specific set of features that makes them easy to identify in the wild.
All insects have exactly three pairs of legs. That means every true insect has six legs in all. If you are ever unsure whether a small creeping creature is an insect, simply count its legs!
Three questions on the features every insect shares
If you are examining a small crawling creature in your garden, how many pairs of legs must it have to be classified as an insect?
The chapter's activity collecting and naming pictures of insects
List the names of four common insects you might find outside.
What specific body feature helps you separate true insects from spiders or other creatures?