Insect Exhibition as the Memorable Lifetime Experience - 550 Words

Insect Exhibition as the Memorable Lifetime Experience (Case Study Sample) Content: Insect Fair Name Institution Insect Fair The insect fair was a memorable lifetime experience to most of the people who attended. The event was not only fun-filled and interesting, but also educative. The observations made on the insects were enough to change ones attitudes towards and perceptions on insects. At the insect fair, I saw at least five insect orders as described in the discussion. To begin with, I saw a beetle, which is classified in Coleoptera. What mainly distinguishes beetles from other insects is the elytra, which simply means hardened forewings. At rest, the elytra meet to form a straight line while during flight, they are held out to provide aerodynamic stability. In addition, the elytra cover and protect the hind wings (Taylor, 2006). Secondly, I saw centipede (Maori weri), which falls under the order Chilopoda. Chilopoda recognition is easy from their elongated, flattened, and multi-segmented body. Centipedes have a wriggling running gait. The most unique and remarkable characteristic of the centipedes a re the forcipules (maxillipedes). These are large, robust, and pincer-like appendages (modified legs), which act as poison claws (Sherman, 2009). In the insect fair, there were spiders (Arachnida). Arachnids are not insects because unlike insects, which have six legs, arachnids have eight legs. Another distinction of arachnids from insects is that arachnids have neither antennae nor wings (Firth et al, 2008). The body of spiders is divided into tagmata: cephalothorax and abdomen. The head and thorax combine to form the cephalothorax. The order Lepidoptera was represented by moths. Butterflies also fall under this order (Stork, 2007). The distinction of Lepidoptera from other orders comes mainly from the fact that external body parts and appendages of Lepidoptera, especially wings, have scales (Taylor, 2006). Lastly, I saw bees, which are classified under the order Hymenoptera, in the insect fair. Other members of the order Hymenoptera include wasps, ants, sawflies, and horntails (Sherman, 2009). Hymenoptera have membranous wings, but with a simpler venation. The fusion of the last segment of thorax with the abdomens first segm ent forms a technical character that is only present in the Hymenoptera (Firth et al, 2008). The insect fair impressed me from its rich variety of species. The event provided a challenge to everyone who attended it; everyone was challenged to research more about insects. I learnt much from the fair and some information came as a surprise to me. For instance, all along, I thought that spiders were insects but from the insect fair, I learned that they are arachnids. I could imagine that ants and bees could be classified in the same order of Hymenoptera. What surprised me most was the information relating to centipedes. I learnt that most of the centipedes do not have eyes, only a few ...