Interesting Insect Facts

Insects, although small, make up the largest and most biodiverse group within the animal kingdom. Found in all habitats around the world, insects come in all shapes and sizes but all have a number of characteristics in common most notably that they have three body segments, two antennae and three pairs of legs.

Insects are in fact so numerous that for every human being on the planet, there are thought to be around 200 million insects and, if that isn't mind-boggling enough, the combined weight of all of the insects on the planet is 12 times greater than the weight of all the people in the world combined. Here are some more interesting insect facts that you may not know:

There are thought to be between six and ten million different insect species. Stick insects are the masters of camouflage and even sway like twigs in the breeze when they are on a branch. Ants live together in large colonies that can number over 700,000 individuals. Malaysian giant stick insect babies are 70cm long when they hatch but the eggs are only 4mm wide. Bees are pollinators that are found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. Female mosquitoes feed on blood to obtain the nutrients needed to produce eggs. Some insects such as water striders, are able to actually walk on the surface of water. The acceleration of a jumping flea is 20 times faster than a rocket that is being launched into space. Beetles such as fireflies and glow worms use light to try and attract a mate. There are more than 1,500 cicada species some of which can produce sounds 120 decibels loud.
So, whether you spot an ant, a butterfly or a beetle there are hidden secrets behind the species besides their immediate appearance and behavior. From the tiniest fairyflies to the world's largest insect, the Atlas Moth, there is always plenty to discover and learn from this vastly abundant and incredibly diverse animal group.