desert bugs - Top That! Publishing

GLOSSARY
Honeycomb
A waxy structure constructed by bees in a hive that
consists of hexagonal cells in which honey is stored,
eggs are laid, and larvae develop.
Insect
Any of a class of small air-breathing arthropods having
a body divided into head, thorax and abdomen, three
pairs of legs, and (in most species) two pairs of wings.
Iridescent
Showing bright colours that appear to change when
looked at from different angles.
Larva
An immature, free-living form of insect that develops
into an adult form by metamorphosis.
Lepidoptera
The scale-winged insect family of moths and butterflies.
Mandibles
The crushing mouthparts of certain insects.
Metamorphosis
The rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that
occurs in certain animals. For example, from caterpillar
to butterfly.
Middle Ages
The period from about AD 1000 to the 15th century.
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Moulting
The process of a growing insect shedding its skin.
Navigate
To direct or plot a path.
Nectar
A sugary liquid secreted in flowers.
Nocturnal
Active at night.
Odonata
The predatory insect family of dragon and damselflies.
Orthoptera
Long-legged insect family of grasshoppers and crickets.
Paralyse
To cause a part of the body to be insensitive to pain
and touch, or to make immobile.
Parasite
An animal or a plant that lives in or on another (the
host) from which it obtains nourishment.
Pheromones
Chemicals produced by insects to affect the behaviour
of others in the same species.
Poison
A substance that causes death or injury if swallowed or
absorbed by a living creature.