Not only the physical appearance but also the life cycle of insects is different in many aspects, which makes the creatures seem strange for many people. Yet, the world of insects is simply teeming with wonders and special traits – talents just waiting to be discovered!
The walking legs of a stick insect
The swimming legs of a backswimmer
All species of insects lay eggs, out of which their offspring hatch. Insects can be divided into two groups based on the appearance of their larvae. First, there are the species with offspring which already resemble the adults (Exopterygota or Hemimetabola). The offspring are often only lacking wings. This group includes true bugs, cockroaches and stick insects, among others. The creatures moult several times as they grow larger and larger – they can even regrow lost legs in the process!
In the second group of insects (Endopterygota or Holometabola), which includes beetles, butterflies, flies and bees, for example, the larvae look completely different from the adults. Their legs are often mere stumps. Fly larvae don’t even have any legs! During the last moult, the larva pupates and modifies its appearance in next to no time. This transformation is often associated with a change in the insect’s behaviour: butterflies and caterpillars, for example, almost never meet under normal circumstances. This is a particularly smart strategy, as it avoids competition between larvae and adults.
