27
(^6) WINGS
The wings of an insect like this wasp
are thin, transparent plates of chitin.
Butterfly and moth wings are similar,
but covered with coloured scales.
Most insects have two pairs of wings
for flight, but flies have just one pair.
(^7) STING
Most insects are harmless, but some
may bite or sting. This wasp has a sting
in its tail that can inject a painful
venom. It uses it to defend itself and
its nest, and to kill insect prey.
Delicate wings are
strong enough to
lift the weight of
the wasp
Each foot has sharp
claws, and some insects,
such as flies, also have
sticky foot pads
ABDOMEN
The wasp’s sting is a
modified egg-laying
organ, or ovipositor
(^8) LEGS
All adult insects have six legs. When
they walk, they lift three legs while
keeping the other three on the
ground – like a tripod – so they have
no problem with balance. Each leg
is a series of stiff tubes, hinged
together and powered by
muscles inside the tubes.
(^5) ABDOMEN
The flexible abdomen contains
most of an insect’s internal organs,
including its digestive system.
Tiny holes lead to a system of
tubes that supply air to its organs
and muscles. The vivid stripes of
this wasp warn other animals
that it can sting.
The thin, flexible
membranes that form
the wings are supported
by stiff ribs, called veins
6
7
8
Dramatic black and
yellow markings
warn predators that
the wasp is venomous
5
Slender waist linking thorax and
abdomen allows wasp to curl body
026_027_InsectAnatomy.indd 27 03/01/19 12:09 PM