3. Insects II

Fly is a small insect with two wings. One of the largest insect orders, it numbers more than 125,000 species that are relatively small, with soft bodies. There are also mosquitos and gadflies in this group.

Dragonfly, also called darner, devil’s arrow, or devil’s darning needle, any of a group of roughly 3,000 species of aerial predatory insects most commonly found near freshwater habitats throughout most of the world. It is a large insect with a long, thin, brightly coloured body and two pairs of transparent wings.

Grasshopper, any of a group of jumping insects that are found in a variety of habitats. Grasshoppers occur in greatest numbers in lowland tropical forests, semiarid regions, and grasslands. They range in colour from green to olive or brown and may have yellow or red markings. Grasshopper is a large insect with long back legs that can jump very high and makes a sharp, high noise using its back legs or wings.

Cockroach, also called roach, any of about 4,600 species of insects that are among the most primitive living winged insects, appearing today much like they do in fossils that are more than 320 million years old. It is a flat, brown or black insect sometimes found in the home. In this group there are also insects like praying mantis, stick insects and others. Stick insect is any of about 3,000 species of slow-moving insects that are green or brown in colour and bear a resemblance to twigs as a protective device. Earwig is any of approximately 1,800 species of insects that are characterized by large membranous hindwings that lie hidden under short, leathery forewings. It is a small insect with two pincers (= curved pointed parts) at the back end of its body.

• Fleas

Flea is any of a group of bloodsucking insects that are important carriers of disease and can be serious pests. Fleas are parasites that live on the exterior of the host. It is a very small jumping insect that feeds on the blood of animals and humans. There are more than 2,500 species of them on the Earth.