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Insects (Term 2, Grade 3) - Coggle Diagram
Insects (Term 2, Grade 3)
Characteristics of an insect
All insects have exactly 6 legs, attached to the thorax.
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All insects have 3 main body parts:
Head (Contains eye, mouth and antennae)
Thorax (Legs attached and wings if present)
Abdomen
Antennaes (Feelers)
One pair of antennae
Used for smelling, feeling and sensing surroundings
Helps insects find food and stay safe
Insects have an exoskeleton which protects the insect, supports the body and prevents water loss.
Some insects have wings and can fly e.g. bees and flies
Symmetrical bodies
Different types of insects
Flying Insects
Helps them find food and escape danger
Examples: Flies, bees, butterflies and mosquitoes.
Crawling Insects
Move to find food and shelter
Examples: Ants and beetles
Helpful Insects
Examples: Bees and butterflies help to pollinate plants, while ants help to clean the environment, and ladybugs eat harmful insects.
Help plants grow, keep the environment clean, and support food production
Harmful Insects
Examples: Mosquitoes spread diseases, and flies carry germs.
They spread illness and cause damage to homes, food sources, and plants
Observing and drawing an insect
Careful Observation
Look slowly and carefully at the insect using a magnifying glass to notice small details, observe it without touching, and focus on its body features.
Legs and Movement
6 legs
Insects can be observed through walking, crawling, or jumping
Moving at different speeds
Body Parts (Structure)
Head
Thorax
Abdomen
Antennae's
Antennae are found on an insect’s head
Help insects feel and sense their surroundings
Eyes
Small or large eyes
Helps the insect find food and stay safe from danger
Colours of an Insect
Bright or dull colours
Patterns like spots or stripes
Help insects hide or warn other animals
Drawing an Insect
Draw what you see (not what you imagine)
Use simple shapes like circles, lines, and ovals
Draw the insect’s 3 body parts and 6 legs correctly
Add antennae
Add wings if you can see them
Keep your drawing neat and clear
Wings and Flight
Some insects have wings (butterflies) and some do not (ants).
Some fly fast (bees) and some fly slowly (butterflies)
How insects help us
Pollination
Bees and butterflies carry pollen from flower to flower
Helps plants grow and make fruits
Many foods we eat depend on pollination
Pest Control
Ladybirds eat harmful insects like aphids
It helps protects plants and crops
Helps farmers grow healthy food
Improving Soil
Some insects live in the soil
Insects help break up and loosen the soil which helps plants grow better
Decomposition
Insects help break down dead plants and animals
Helps cleans the environment
Nutrients go back into the soil
Food Source
Insects are food for birds and other animals
They are part of the food chain
How some insects harm us
Damaging Crops
Some insects eat leaves and plants
They destroy crops like vegetables and fruits
This can cause farmers to lose food and money
Spreading Diseases
Some insects carry diseases
Mosquitoes can spread illnesses to humans
This can make people very sick
Invading homes and food
Ants enter homes looking for food
They can spoil food in kitchens
Some insects can damage stored food
Bites and stings
Some insects bite or sting people
This can cause pain, itching, or swelling
Some stings can be dangerous for certain people
Insect Habitats
Gardens and plants
Many insects live on leaves and flowers
They find food like nectar and leaves
Plants provide shelter and protection
Soil and underground
Some insects live in the soil
They dig tunnels and make homes underground
The soil keeps them safe and cool
Grass and bushes
Insects hide in tall grass
They are protected from predators
Food is easily found
Inside Homes
Some insects live in houses
They look for food in kitchens
They hide in small spaces like cracks and corners
Life Cycle of an insect
Egg
Very small and laid on leaves or plants
Hatches into a young insect
Larva
Eats a lot of food and grows quickly
Moves around to find food
Pupa
Does not move or eat
Changes into an adult insect inside
Adult insect
Can move or fly and find food
Can lay eggs to start the life cycle again
Food of insects
Nectar
Some insects drink nectar from flowers
Nectar gives them energy
Example: bees and butterflies
Leaves
Some insects eat leaves
Leaves help them grow
Example: caterpillars
Other Insects
Some insects eat smaller insects
This helps control pests
Example: ladybirds
Food Scraps
Some insects eat leftover food
They are often found near waste
Example: flies
Importance of Protecting Insects
Balance in Nature
Insects help keep nature balanced
They control other insect populations
Without them, ecosystems can be disturbed
Food Chains
Insects are food for many animals
Birds, frogs, and other animals depend on them
Removing insects can affect the whole food chain
Environmental Health
Help keep the environment clean
They break down waste and dead plants
They help plants grow and stay healthy