Insects are part of the group of animals known as arthropods, which are animals with exoskeletons, a hard outer covering. Insects are invertebrates, meaning they do not have a backbone. They have a segmented body divided into three parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. Insects have six legs and one pair of antennae. Most adult insects also have wings. Insects lay eggs and go through metamorphosis, meaning the young insect does not look like the adult insect.
To summarize, the following features make an insect an insect:
- Exoskeleton
- Segmented body divided into three parts: head, thorax, and abdomen
- Six legs
- One pair of antennae
- Most adult insects have wings
- Lay eggs
- Go through metamorphosis
It is important to note that not all invertebrates with exoskeletons are insects. For example, spiders, centipedes, and millipedes are not insects.
