Insects Flashcards
Where are the genetalia of an insect found
At the tip of the adbomen
Name four different defence mechanisms used by insects
Physical defence; Colouration (Aposematic/Flash/Cryptic); Mimicry; Chemical Defence
What does metamorphosis mean?
Change
What is the purpose of flash colouration?
Give the predator a fright as well as distract the predator with a different colour when fleeing before hiding from danger with their original colouring.
What is Sclerotin?
A tough and indigestible substance that strengthens the Chitin that makes up the exoskeleton of certain insect species. This is known as a Sclerotized exoskeleton e.g. Armoured Ground Cricket
What is Chitin?
Chitin is what the exoskeleton of an arthropod is made of.
What is the name given to a sexually mature insect?
An imago
Explain the mutualistic relationship between Termitidae and Termitomyces
Fungus-growing termite workers will chew up and eat dead and decaying plant material. Because they are unable to fully digest it they return to the nest and excrete it. The job of digesting these faeces is done by fungi. The resulting compost is then eaten by the colony. The fungi are given an ideal environment to grow within the termitaria
What is unique about the Order Diptera that flies belong to?
Their hind-wings are reduced to vestigial appendages known as “halteres” and are used for balance during flight
What is stridulation?
Rubbing of one part of the body against another producing a sound e.g grasshoppers
What is thanatosis?
This is the act of feigning death practised by animals
Name three insects that have aposematic colouring
CMR Beetle; Elegant Grasshopper; Monarch Butterflies
Are Antlions diurnal or nocturnal?
Nocturnal
What is Batesian Mimicry?
Batesian mimicry is a form of mimicry where a harmless species has evolved to imitate the warning signals of a harmful species directed at a predator of them both. It is named after the English naturalist Henry Walter Bates; after his work on butterflies in the rainforests of Brazil e.g. Female Diadem and African Monarch butterflies
What is the tallest termite mound recorded?
12.8m High
What are flying ants?
Vernacular term often given to reproductive termites (alates)
How does a fungus-growing termite colony start?
Winged alates > Colony foundation > First workers > First workers create fungal comb > growth Termitomyces fungus on the comb > Workers gut transfer (dead plant material + fungal spore) > other castes form eventually > Finally alate formation; they again fly from the colony to form a new colony.
What is an imago?
A sexually mature insect
What is the sine qua non of mimicry?
The mimic population must be significantly lower than the species that it is mimicking
What diseases are mosquitoes vectors of?
- Malaria
- Yellow Fever
- Elephantitis
- Encephalitis
What is interesting about the light produced by fireflies?
“Bio-luminescence” – most efficient form of light known to man (“cold light” - no energy lost in the form of heat; all “visible” light rays) ;Some female fireflies (often wingless) mimic the “codes” of other species to attract males; who they then eat.
Do both sexes of mosquitoes suck blood?
Since blood is a good source of proteins and amino acids; female mosquitoes drink blood to grow mosquito eggs. The male mosquitoes fulfill their nutritional needs by feeding on nectar; water; and plant sap; which females feed on as well.
What Order & Family do Antlions belong to?
Order Neuroptera - Family Myrmeleontidae
What caste is the most numerous within a termite colony?
There are more worker termites than any other caste within the colony
How does a termite queen communicate with her colony?
Pheremones are transferred to the workers she’s in contact with then they will continue to pass on the message throughout the colony through an exchange of saliva with other termites
How do insects breathe?
They have no lungs so cannot actively “breathe”. Air enters their body via tiny apertures; called spiracles; situated along the sides of the adbomen. Fine tubes; called trachae; carry air to all parts of the body.
What is a proboscis and what is it used for?
Butteflies; moths & mosquitoes suck up liquid food; such as nectar or blood; through their proboscis which is a modified mouthpart that acts as a slender drinking tube.
Why are termite mounds referred to as Nutrient Hotspots?
Due to the well aerated soils from the termitaria as well as the high soil fertility created by the fungus growing within the fungus gardens leads to a perfect environment for plants to grow.
How long do termite queens live for?
A queen termite has a long lifespan and is typically the oldest termite in the colony. Termite queens can live 25 to 50 years, with peak egg production for up to 10 years. When the queen dies and the pheromone she uses to block reproductives’ development is no longer produced, a new queen will develop in the colony.
What is the purpose of fireflies producing light?
Signals to opposite sex and species recognition (each species has a unique flash pattern)
What is the specialized egg-laying organ of a female insect called?
Ovipositor
What is Mullerian Mimicry?
Mullerian mimcry is a form of mimicry in which two or more harmful or unpalatable animals develop similar appearances as a shared protective device e.g. Acraea butterflies and Monarch butterflies
What are the characteristics of invertebrates?
Animals that do not have a back-bone and may or may not have an exoskeleton and do not necessarily have legs either
What is an instar?
A phase between two periods of moulting in the development of an insect larva or other invertebrate animal.
What are the different body divisions of insects?
Head, thorax and abdomen
What are the different lifecyles found in insects?
Ametabolic; hemimetabolic; and holometabolic
What are the stages of an hemimetabolic lifecyle and give 2 examples of insects that have this lifecyle?
Egg > Nymph > Adult. Nymphs resemble adults (mostly). With each moult (ecdysis) they develop more adult characteristics e.g. dragonflies; crickets
What are the 4 termite families?
Termitidae - Fungus Growers Rhinotermitidae - Snouted Termites Hodotermitidae - Harvester Termites Kalotermitidae - Dry Wood Termites
Where do mosquitoes breed?
In water as the larval stage are aquatic
How do fireflies produce light?
Light producing organs situated on the underside of the abdomen, towards the back (last two segments)
Chemical reaction involving the oxidation of a substance Luciferin in the presence of an enzyme Luciferase
Specialised cells in underside of abdomen filled with tiny urate crystals used as reflectors
What defence mechansim do processionary caterpillars employ?
They will congregate in long continuous lines giving the impression that they are a much bigger animal than they actually are.
What are Elytra?
These are the hardened forewings (especially evident in beetles) that cover the hind-wings when at rest. They are not used in flight and provide protection and in some species have fused if flight is no longer required.
What are the stages of an holometabolic lifecyle and give 2 examples of insects that have this lifecyle?
Egg > Larva > Pupa > Adult. Larval stage does not resemble adult (grubs and caterpillars). Pupate in order to take on adult form e.g. Butterflies & Moths
Are glow worms male or female?
“Glow-worms” are actually flightless females of the genus Lampyris (larva-like) – give off a steady glow; not flashing.
What do adult Antlions resemble? Describe their flight pattern.
The adults superficially resemble dragonflies; although the antlion antennae protrude visibly; being longer and club-like. They are clumsy fliers with a characteristic slow; flapping flight pattern.