Insect Defenses

Question 1

Name the 6 methods insects use for defense.

Answer 1

1. Hard body
2. Irritating hairs
3. Stinging and biting
4. Irritating chemicals
5. Chemicals
6. Camouflage

Question 2

Hard Body (exoskeleton)

Answer 2

Protects them from falls and from predators (harder to eat)

Question 3

Irritating Hairs

Answer 3

Hairs or spines that deter predators. Secrete substances along hairs that cause a reaction.

Question 4

Stinging and biting

Answer 4

Defense method where sting injects venom. Recover from a bite faster than a sting.

Question 5

Do all stinging insects die after they attack?

Answer 5

No. Honeybees do (hive sacrifice) but hornets and wasps live and continue to sting.

Question 6

Irritating Chemicals

Answer 6

Chemical reaction to predator if they try to eat it.

Question 7

Why is the Bombardier Beetle defense unique?

Answer 7

They have 3 chemicals and the third is an enzyme kept separate. The enzyme acts as a spark and releases the chemical response.

Question 8

What defense does the Blister Beetle use?

Answer 8

Irritating chemical: secretes cantharidin. Toxic to horses when ingested too many. Treatment must be quarantined. Remain toxic after death.

Question 9

Describe chemical defense

Answer 9

Insects eat plants that contain chemicals that make them taste “bad” to predators

Example: Monarchs eat Milkweed and bird hate it

Question 10

What indicates an insects eats toxic plants?

Answer 10

The brighter the body the more toxic. Nature’s warning for predators to beware.

Question 11

Camouflage

Answer 11

Color patterns on the insect’s body