Understanding insect anatomy is important for getting your insect control plan together. You need to know how the insects get nutrients and absorb any toxins. You’ll
also understand more about the types of environments the insects need to thrive.
The Basic Anatomy of Insects
Insects are made up of three body parts. They have a head, thorax, and abdomen.
The head is mostly for the food and sensory intake. They will process information here, just like we do as humans. This is where they chew or suck depending on the way they work.
The thorax is where they have their structural support. They will have legs and wings depending on how they move around. This part is important for movement, digging, and even swimming.
Then there’s the abdomen. Like humans, this is important for digestion and reproduction.
Understanding the Mouthparts
Insects will get nutrients in a couple of different ways. Some will pierce the plants and suck the nutrients out of it. They directly damage the plant with this, especially if they then pass on viruses that they’re carrying.
Others will chew on various parts of the plant. This causes direct damage and can lead to the plant not getting the nutrients needed to survive, but there’s less risk of passing on viruses.
Knowing how the insects eat will help determine the type of chemical control that is needed. If they suck, you’ll want a chemical that is applied to a specific part of the plant and then drawn all the way around. If they chew, a spray pesticide could be better.
Understanding the Digestive and Breathing Systems
Pesticides work in different ways. Some are toxins that are breathed in, while others are eaten and then cause problems from the inside. Then there are some that cause viruses, bacterial issues, and fungus growth in the bodies.
Insects breath through spiracles in the exoskeleton. That air then makes it to wherever it’s needed. The digestive system is tubelike to transport nutrients where needed. All this is needed for sensory development.
If the spiracles are blocked, it will cause suffocation. This is how insecticidal oils work. They cover up the holes to prevent oxygen getting in. Meanwhile, insecticides that are eaten will cause a breakdown in the gut lining, which can lead to a change in the acidity levels, killing them. The other way is to “confuse” them. The aim is to put out pheromones that are then breathed in and affect the sensory development. It can make it difficult for insects to find a mate to reproduce and even make it harder for them to locate a food source.
Understanding more about the pests you have will help you control them better. That’s especially if you’re using insecticide to deal with them.
