The Insects Direct

: An ant can carry more than 50 times its own body weight.

: Most have large eyes made of many tiny lenses, which are excellent at detecting motion. Major Roles in Nature

: Insects act as nature's janitors, breaking down dead plant and animal matter, which returns vital nutrients to the soil. The Insects

: Scientists estimate there are roughly 1.4 billion insects for every human on Earth.

: Many "beneficial" insects, such as ladybugs and parasitoid wasps, hunt other insects that damage gardens and farms. Growth and Transformation : An ant can carry more than 50 times its own body weight

: The head (bearing eyes, antennae, and mouthparts), the thorax (where legs and wings are attached), and the abdomen.

: Includes four stages—egg, larva (like a caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (butterfly). : Scientists estimate there are roughly 1

: All adult insects have exactly three pairs of legs, leading to their alternate name, "Hexapoda".