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A dogbane
leaf beetle
Packed with Poison
The dogbane leaf beetle feeds
on poisonous plants such as
milkweed and dogbane. The
insect stores the plant’s poisons
inside its body, making itself
toxic to predators. The beetle’s
colorful, shiny body warns its
enemies that it’s not good to eat.
A lichen katydid
A Master of Disguise
Lichen
The dark body of this lichen katydid is
decorated with pale silvery-green lines.
The pattern allows the insect to easily
blend in among the fluffy tufts of real
lichen on a branch.
The Science Stuff—What Is an Insect?
• Insects are tiny animals Antennae
with a body made of three The head contains an insect’s
main parts.
brain, eyes, mouthparts,
and a pair of antennae.
• Insects use their antennae
to do different things, such
as touching, smelling, or
detecting sounds. The thorax has six
jointed legs and the
• An insect has a tough insect’s wings.
outer covering called an
exoskeleton.
The abdomen
contains an insect’s
digestive system and
reproductive parts.
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