Insects

Insects (Insecta) are the most species-rich class of animals, with well over a million known species. The name comes from Latin, derived from in-secare, meaning "to cut into", which actually translates as "cut-up (creature)" and refers to the clearly separated body segments.

A typical identifying feature of insects is the clear division of the body into head, thorax and abdomen. The exoskeleton is made of chitin, and the animal has three pairs of legs. Size can vary greatly, from 0.2mm to 3cm. The large compound eyes are, of course, also highly characteristic.
Insects are cosmopolitan, as they can be found all over the world with the exception of the oceans. Some species, such as cockroaches or ants, are indeed found almost everywhere. Their habitat is mainly the soil and the vicinity of plants. Some, such as fleas or certain mites, have also become parasites, making humans and animals their habitat.

In the garden, insects play a very significant role, both as beneficial insects and as pests. They are indispensable as pollinators of plants and as "predators" that destroy other pests. On the other hand, through feeding damage and the transmission of viral and fungal diseases to plants, they can become the gardener's great enemy.