Abstract

6.1 The typical insect

The general morphology of insects (hexapoda) is derived from the anatomy of annelids with respect to the segmentation of the body and its extremities (fig. 6.1, page 243), the head (fig 6.2, page 244) and the mouthparts (fig. 6.3, page 247). The general external anatomy of the insect (fig. 6.4, page 247) and particularly the external orthopteroid sexual organs (fig. 6.5, page 248) are important for systematic classification. The organisation of the intestinal tract (fig. 6.6, page 249) is of importance to all parasites that enter an insect by blood-feeding. The gonotrophic cycle enables age grading, which is particularly important in Diptera (fig. 6.7, page 250).

The way that general insect morphology can be used for the interpretation of the specialized anatomy of an insect vector, as an example the reduviid bug, Rhodnius prolixus, is presented (fig. 6.8, page 251). Its dissection is described in detail with numerous figures on the present website (see "Präparation einer Raubwanze"). For the simplified systematics of insects and chelicerata, see the present website (see "Klassifikation der Insekten / Klassifikation der Acari").

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