Insect Survival Strategies

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Insect Survival Strategies
Staying alive in a bug eat bug world
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What Do Insects Require for Survival?

• 1) Food
• 2) Water
• 3) Shelter
• 4) Predator Defense
• 5) Reproduction

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Finding Food What Do Insects Eat?

• Herbivores consume a variety of plant material
• Nectar feeders
• Scavengers generalists that eat a variety of
  foods
• Carnivores (insectivores) feed on other insect
  prey
• Parasites Feed on or Inside of Living Hosts

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Plant Feeders Mandibles Vs Beaks

• Mandibles

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Chewing Herbivores, Continued
weevil
Sawfly Larvae
Bessbug Larva
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Beaked Herbivores
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Beaked Plant Feeders, Contd
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Nectar Drinkers
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Nectar Drinkers, Contd
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Scavengers
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Carnivores

• Sit and Wait Predators

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Active Hunters
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Parasites
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Parasites, contd
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Water

• For Drinking
• As a Habitat
• For Reproduction

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Shelter Case makers
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Shelter Burrowers
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Avoiding Predation

• Mechanical Defenses
• Camouflage
• Fleeing/Falling
• Startle
• Defensive Chemicals
• Venom

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Camouflage
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Fleeing
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Startle Tactics
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Defensive Chemicals
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Venom
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Reproduction

• Mate Location
• Fending off other
• Suitors
• Courtship

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Locating a Mate
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Claiming the Territory
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Courting