Creepy Crawlers!

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

All the jokes you just read were about bugs — and not just any kind of bug! The bugs in those jokes are insects!

Not all bugs are insects!

• So, how do you tell if a bug is an insect?

An insect will have three body parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Look at the ant diagram below.

A pair of antennae, compound eyes, and mouthparts are on the head.

On the thorax, there are six legs and, sometimes, two or four wings.

The abdomen holds most of the digestive, respiratory, excretory, and reproductive parts.

Insects also have an exoskeleton, a hard shell on the outside of their body that protects their inside parts.

So, to summarize, an insect will always have the following.

three body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen

six legs

compound eyes and two antennae on the head

exoskeleton

Review the parts of the insect with this fun song.

Although insects can sometimes be bothersome, many are helpful to people and the planet!

Bees and butterflies help grow flowers, fruits, and vegetables by moving pollen from plant to plant.

Ladybugs eat tiny bugs that harm plants, keeping gardens healthy.

Worms and beetles help make the soil rich and soft so plants can grow better. Even ants can help by cleaning up crumbs and breaking down dead plants.

Insects may be small, but they do big, important jobs!

Helpful Insects Spotlight

The honey bee is a very helpful insect. It pollinates trees and flowers so that they can reproduce. Bees also make delicious, nutritious honey!

• Would you want to dance with a honey bee?

The ant is another helpful insect.

Ants tunnel in the ground, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the soil. This makes the soil healthier, which in turn helps our plants, trees, and vegetables grow better!

• How would you like to study myrmecology?

Another helpful insect is the ladybug.

Ladybugs eat other small insects that are harmful to vegetable plants. Farmers love ladybugs!

• Are you similar to a ladybug?

Insects may be small, but they make the world a better place.

Keep learning about these amazing creatures in the Got It? section.