The insect body plan
Science · Insects & Minibeasts · conceptual
The insect body plan: all insects share three body parts (head, thorax, abdomen), six legs attached to the thorax, and antennae on the head. Most have wings. They have an exoskeleton — a hard outer shell — instead of bones inside.
What mastery looks like
- Label the three body parts of an insect — head, thorax, and abdomen — on a diagram or real specimen
- State that all insects have exactly six legs and that the legs attach to the thorax
- Explain that insects have an exoskeleton, a hard outer covering, instead of bones inside their body
Check your understanding
If The insect body plan looked at a picture of a beetle or ant, could they point out the head, thorax, and abdomen, and tell you that all insects have six legs and a hard outer shell?