Insects are found throughout the world except on the
poles. Fossil records indicate that many species exist
today in much the same form as they did 200 million
years ago. Their enormous biological success is
attributed to their small size, the remarkable
adaptive abilities of the group as a whole and the
enormous variety in body structure and way of life. The
mouth parts may be adapted to chewing, sucking or
lapping and the legs for running, jumping or swimming.
Insects may feed on plants or prey upon other small
animals or parasitize larger ones. They may be
omnivorous or highly specialized in their diets. They
display a remarkable variety of adaptive shapes and
colors that may serve as camouflage. Some have stinging spines or hair and
blistering or noxious secretions used for defense.
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