Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth, with over one million described species and an estimated 6-10 million total. They are found in almost every above-ground environment, including Antarctica. Insect species range in size from 0.139 mm to 55.5 cm. Insects are a success story, with a global biomass estimated at 1012 kg and about 1018 distinct individuals. The majority of insect species are found in rainforests.
Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth. There are over one million described species of insects and an estimated total of 6-10 million species. Insects are found in nearly every above-ground environment, even Antarctica, which has a species of insect called springtails. There’s even one that lives on the surface of the open ocean, walking on the tension of the water using tiny leg hairs. These are insects of the genus Halobates, otherwise known as sea skaters or water striders. Around Antarctica, where there is more oxygen in the sea than at the Equator, these can grow up to 30 cm (1 foot) wide.
So far, 5,000 species of dragonflies, 2,000 praying mantis, 20,000 grasshoppers, 170,000 butterflies and moths, 120,000 flies, 82,000 real insects, 360,000 beetles and 110,000 species of bees, wasps and ants have been observed. Keep in mind that arachnids, such as mites — of which there are over 1 million described species — and crustaceans, such as lobsters, are not insects, which only includes members of the class Insecta.
Insect species range in size from 0.139 mm (0.00547 in, fairy) to 55.5 cm (21.9 in, stick insect), with most falling between 0.5 mm (0.02 in) and 50 mm (2 in). In general, smaller insects are able to reproduce more rapidly than their larger counterparts, allowing them to maintain their biomass for generations. If biomass is not replenished regularly, a species will become extinct. All insect species living today are thought to account for only about 1% of all insects that have ever lived.
Insects are truly a success story for animals. While most people don’t think of insects when the word “animal” is mentioned, they are both the most successful and numerous. The global insect biomass is estimated at 1012 kg, with about 1018 distinct individuals. Divided by the total number of species, this gives an average of 100 million individuals per species. Of course, as with other animals, the majority (over 66%) of insect species are found in the world’s rainforests.
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