Basic Insect Functional Anatomy and Physiological Principles

Abstract

This chapter, which is suited for the reader without a background in entomology or insect physiology, provides an abbreviated description of the lifecycles, anatomy, and physiology of insects. In particular, it introduces some of the basic anatomy and physiology of insects by system, and, going beyond that, through providing several references that contain detailed information on these topics. In discussing insect lifecycles, the chapter mentions how the three-stage (‘hemimetabolous’) or four-stage (‘holometabolous’) insects differ in several aspects. Three-stage insects are those that are more basal, and which have egg, juvenile, and adult stages. The four-stage insects have egg, juvenile (larva), pupa, and adult stages. The chapter further goes on to discuss insect anatomy, such as the cuticle, insect muscles, respiratory systems, and circulatory systems, as well as the homologies between insect and vertebrate hearts.