insect

insect

An insect is a type of animal. It usually has six legs and wings. Many insects live for a very short time. They also have an exoskeleton, which means that their skeleton is on the exterior of the body. The inside of the body is soft.

This is a difficult word for some students to pronounce:

insect / insects

• Another word for "insect" is "bug."
• Flies, bees, grasshoppers, crickets, and wasps are insects.
• Insects are an important part of the food chain.
• Most insects eat plants, but some eat other insects.
• Insect infestations are controlled with insecticide.
• An organic solution to insect problems is better than the use of chemicals.
• In some parts of the world, people eat insects because they are a source of protein, and they can be tasty!
• In the United States, many people are freaked out* by insects.

*freaked out: scared

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This page was first published on February 9, 2014. It was updated on May 28, 2016.