10 



THE PARTS OF AN INSECT'S BODY 



Fig. 8. — Foot of an in- 

 sect, showing claws and 

 pulvillus. Enlarged. 

 Original. 



and a foot, or tarsus, made up of five joints, 

 or sometimes less. On the end of the tarsus 

 often occur claws between which is a small 

 pad, or pulvillus. 



The wings vary greatly in size, shape, and 

 texture. They constitute an important char- 

 acter in separating insects into various groups, 

 as will be seen. For example, beetles are 

 easily recognized by the possession of a front 

 pair of wings that are hardened or horny 

 and serve simply as covers for the large, 

 membranous hind wings. 



The Abdomen 



The third, or hind part of an insect's body is called the abdomen. 

 It consists often of ten rings or segments, though frequently this 

 number is reduced. There are never any legs on the abdomen of the 

 adult insect. At the hind extremity in both sexes are the reproduc- 

 tive organs. The two sexes are invariably separate in insects, and 

 never normally combined in a single individual as in some other forms 

 of lower animal life. 



