The insect body plan
The insect body plan: all insects share three body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), six legs attached to the thorax, and antennae on the head. Most have wings. They have an exoskeleton — a hard outer shell — instead of bones inside.
Typical age: 7–9 years
“If your child looked at a picture of a beetle or ant, could they point out the head, thorax, and abdomen, and tell you that all insects have six legs and a hard outer shell?”
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- Camouflage, warning colours, and mimicryREQUIRED
Must understand basic insect features before studying how they are adapted for survival
- Not all minibeasts are insectsREQUIRED
Must know the insect body plan (6 legs, 3 parts) to distinguish insects from non-insects
- Social insects: ants and beesREQUIRED
Must know what insects are before studying how some live in colonies
- Incredible insects: record-breakersREQUIRED
Must know insect body plan to appreciate feats relative to body structure
- Insect anatomy in depthREQUIRED
Must know basic insect body plan before studying detailed anatomy