MODULE 7

Introdu EXTERNAL PARTS OF

ction INSECTS

Insects belong to the Phylum Arthropoda and are considered part of the
specialized groups within the phylum. Knowledge of the external morphology of
insects is important in understanding how insects live and infest hosts. In this
exercise, the adult grasshopper is recommended as specimen.

Examine your specimen in a dissecting pan (in your case, in any flat surface). Note
that the body is divided into three main regions: the head which bears the mouthparts,
eyes and antennae; the thorax which bears the wings and legs; the abdomen
which bears the reproductive structure and contain most of the internal organs.
These main divisions constitute of the body proper, while the mouthparts, wings and
legs and antennae are called appendages.

II. Objective.
Materia At the end of the laboratory the students will be able
ls and to:
1. To distinguish the external parts of insects.
Method
s
III. Materials

Specimen (grasshopper/locust, fly, butterfly, bug, beetle), pencil, embroidery pins

(if preferred).

IV. Methodology

1. HEAD: Study the head in detail. Note that it is hard and completely sclerotized. In
the majority of the insects, the greater parts of the head capsule is occupied
by the two usually large compound eyes located in each side, the two
antennae are inserted between the bases of the antennae. On the lower
surface of the head are found the mouthparts.
 s

2. THORAX: The thorax is concerned largely with locomotion. Examine closely the
thorax of your specimen and you will note that it is divided into three main
regions, the prothorax which bears the first pair of legs (Prothoracic legs) and
never has wings; the mesothorax which bears the second pair of legs
(Mesothoracic legs) and 1st pair of wings or Fore wings. The metathorax is the
last segment that bears the pair hindwings and metathoracic legs. On the side or
in between two segments are small holes called spiracles which are used for
breathing.

3. ABDOMEN: Examine the abdomen. Note that it is segmented and relatively

simple in structure compared with the head and the thorax, except the caudal
end where there are appendages.

The number of segments of insects varies from 6 to 12 but usually 10 or 11.

How many abdominal segments are there in your specimen? ________. The 11 th
segment has been modified into a triangular structure (dorsal) called epiproct and
into two lobes (ventrolateral) called paraproct while the 12th segment has been
reduced into anus.

On the sides of the first segment are tympanum which are used for hearing
and on the succeeding segment called spiracles. The tympanum appear to be “scar”
while the spiracles appear to be small holes.

The appendages in the abdomen are the cerci which is located in between the
epiproct and paraproct and are used as sensory organs; and the reproductive
appendages such as the ovipositor and copulatory structures which in most insects
are difficult to observe as they require dissection. Can you see the reproductive
appendages of your specimen? _____________.
Module 7 WORKSHEET 1: External parts of the insects
Name: FERNANDEZ, CROISHA KATE D. Score:

(Print SURNAME, GIVEN NAME, MI)

Course/year & section: BSAB 1-B _____ /60

Group #:

Date: 02/28/2022

V. Requirements:

1. Draw (do not copy and paste from the internet) the specific structure of insects being asked for in each box. Label the parts of the drawn structure
and identify their orientation, type, or number of segments, whichever is applicable.

HEAD THORAX ABDOMEN

Insect Order Head Orientation Type of Antennae Type of Mouthpart Type of Legs Type of Wings No. of segments

1) Orthoptera
 HEAD THORAX ABDOMEN

Insect Order Head Orientation Type of Antennae Type of Mouthpart Type of Legs Type of Wings No. of segments

2) Diptera

3) Lepidoptera
 HEAD THORAX ABDOMEN

Insect Order Head Orientation Type of Antennae Type of Mouthpart Type of Legs Type of Wings No. of segments

4) Hemiptera

5) Coleoptera