Anatomy & Identification
How insect bodies work and how to tell species apart, from the chitin exoskeleton and compound eyes to the key wing, leg, and antennae features that make field identification possible.
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Anatomy & IdentificationRead article →Exploring the Exoskeleton: Chitin, Molting, and DefenseExploring the exoskeleton starts with one material: chitin. This nitrogen-based polysaccharide, laid down in long fibers and bound with proteins, gives.
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Anatomy & IdentificationRead article →The Anatomy of Ants: Mandibles, Gaster, and Caste DesignThe Anatomy of Ants breaks down into three external body regions, an internal organ system built for a decentralized colony, and a caste system where shape.
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Anatomy & IdentificationRead article →How to Use Field Guides for Insect IdentificationHow to use field guides for insect identification comes down to matching what you see in the field to the right combination of size, shape, wing pattern.
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Anatomy & IdentificationRead article →How Insect Eyes Work: Thousands of Lenses, No ZoomHow Insect Eyes Work comes down to two separate optical systems built for different jobs: compound eyes for detecting motion and shape, and simple eyes.
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Anatomy & IdentificationRead article →The Digestive System of Cockroaches Explained, Gut by GutThe digestive system of cockroaches explained simply: food moves through three main sections, the foregut, midgut, and hindgut, each doing a different job.