Insects

Insects are six-legged creatures with bodies divided into three clear parts: the head, the middle section, and the rear. Adult insects have three pairs of jointed legs attached to the middle part, and most species grow wings when they become adults, although some have lost their wings over time. They usually have a pair of feelers and eyes made up of many small lenses on their heads. Their hard outer shell is made of a tough material called chitin, which they need to shed as they grow. There are over a million known types of insects, and they live in almost every land and freshwater environment around the world, from the cold Arctic to hot tropical forests. In the UK, about 24,000 different kinds of insects have been found in many places such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, and gardens. Most insects go through changes as they grow, either by gradually developing into adults or by going through very different stages like larvae and pupae. Insects play many important roles in nature, including helping plants to reproduce, breaking down dead material, hunting other small animals, living off other creatures, and eating plants. This makes them vital parts of nearly all natural communities.