Friday, March 03, 2006

Illustration Friday - Insect



The Taxonomy goes like this:
Invertebrates
Arthropods
Mandibulata
Hexapoda
Insects
Insects are the most successful animal on earth. They comprise 75% of all species that live on the planet. Scientists have probably only identified about 2/3 of the species.Basically these critters have exoskeletons rather than bones, segmented bodies, jointed legs, and, inspite of my drawings, are bilaterally symmetrical.Insect bodies have three main parts: head, thorax and abdomen.They have compound eyes and antennae. They have three pairs of legs. They may or may not have wings, and if they do, they may have one or two pairs. They do have muscles, nerve cords and hearts. Some insects go through metamorphosis and others don't, or only do so partially. Some can regenerate body parts. Not all insects are "bugs," but all bugs are insects. Spiders aren't insects or bugs. They have two body parts (head and thorax) and 4 pairs of legs.

15 comments:

carla said...

A fascinating bit of info, and a even more fascinating illustration! I love that you've done three different insects in such pretty colors. The canvas background adds an excellent effect.

MD said...

What a fab picture and the info amazes me!
MD

isay said...

a wonderful and informative post plus a beautiful illustration.

HARDWAX said...

Marvelous to look at, this illustration, the detail and colors, and very educational as well.

valerie walsh said...

love this post! Your illo is well done and I love the info!

The Unknown said...

Excellent illo. I love it.
love

Tony Sarrecchia said...

..and I hear they are quite tasty. Great illo.

Dana S. Whitney said...

Ewwwwwwwwwww. It's bad enough knowing I've eaten bug fragments by accident, let alone planning to eat them on purpose!!

Katili said...

Beuatiful colours and insects. Well done paiting. Makes one wait for the sunny spring to come again with all these fine creatures.

RedT0pMedusa said...

bio 101... i like your insects they are fun

Ginnie Hart said...

You could make beautiful brooches of these and wear them to remind everyone of how "successful" they are! Man alive! Who'd have thought!

Tony LaRocca said...

AAARrgh! I hate being in the minority. It's always nice to know life on earth will always go on- just won't nececarily be our boring species.

Unknown said...

Interesting technique. Very inventive.

Kay Aker said...

Thanks for the fascinating info and the luninous imagery.

Jaimie said...

great illo and love the information! yay information about insects!