BIG BUGS VOCABULARY LIST

Come visit BIG BUGS at New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods July12-October 31 and see giant bug sculptures and real live bugs everywhere! Here are some terms to talk about “the little things that rule the world.”

Abdomen - the third section of an insect’s body that is most visible.

Adaptation - the ability of a living organism to change to fit into its habitat.

Antennae - feelers located at the top of insect’s head, used to detect odors, tastes, touch, heat, moisture, and wind currents.

Camouflage - the ability to blend in with the surroundings.

Carnivore - an animal that eats meat.

Exoskeleton - the outer covering of the body of an insect, which protects and regulates the exchange of water and gases.

Food chain - shows the flow of energy through an ecosystem.

                         Example:  sun’s energy       sunflower     caterpillar     bird       hawk

Food web - a network of connecting food chains.

Habitat - a home of a plant or animal, where it can find food, water, shelter and space to move around.

Herbivore - an animal that eats plants only.

Insec t- small animal with three body parts and six legs.

Nymph - young insect that resembles adult form, without wings.

Pollinator - an animal that carries pollen from one flower to another of the same kind.

Predator - an animal that eats other animals.

Prey - an animal that is eaten by other animals.

Thorax - the mid section of an insect where the wings and legs attach.                                                                                                                                                   

Warning colors - a pattern of bright colors intended to help other animals avoid a creature because it is poisonous or venomous.