4
Insects
Textbook: Part 1, pp. 18–21
GoalKnow the main features of insects (3 body parts, 6 legs, antennae, hard shell), name useful and harmful insects, and explain that a spider is not an insect.
New words
insect · hasharotantenna · mo‘ylovhoneybee · asalari
Explanation
Insects are the largest group in the animal world. The body has three parts: head, thorax and abdomen. Insects have 6 legs, a pair of antennae on the head and a hard outer shell, and most have wings. They develop in stages, for example egg, larva, pupa, butterfly. Useful insects: the honeybee (gives honey and pollinates flowers) and the ladybird (eats aphids). Harmful insects: flies and mosquitoes (can spread disease) and the clothes moth (its larvae eat wool). A spider is not an insect: it has 8 legs, two body parts, and no wings or antennae.
Worked examples
An ant has head, thorax and abdomen, three parts and six legs, so it is an insect.
A butterfly goes from egg to caterpillar to pupa and finally becomes a winged butterfly.
Class activity
“Insect or not?”: the teacher names ant, spider, honeybee, frog, fly, beetle. Children count the legs and shout “6!” for an insect, otherwise stay silent. Then draw one useful insect each.
Practice
1
How many parts does an insect’s body have and what are they?
3: head, thorax, abdomen
2
How many legs does an insect have? A spider?
6; 8
3
How is the honeybee useful?
It gives honey and pollinates flowers.
4
Why are flies considered dangerous?
They carry various diseases, so food must be kept covered.