Invertebrates That Have Six Legs

An animal without a backbone is known as an invertebrate; all insects are categorized as invertebrates. Insect invertebrates populate the entire Earth in both terrestrial and marine environments. Most insect invertebrates have common physical characteristics such as six legs, multiple eyes and antennae. Entomologists, zoologists who study insects, recognize four primary categories of six-legged invertebrate insects.

  1. Ants

    • Ants are a class of social insects that first appeared on the Earth more than 110 million years ago. They are identified by their six legs, powerful mandible claws and their elbowed antennae. More than 20,000 different species of ants exist. They form advanced colonies that vary in size (depending on the species) from a few dozen to millions. The ants within colonies form specialized groups that complete a single task such as gathering food, constructing the colony, protecting against predators or reproducing. Collectively, the ants operate to support the colony.

    Bee

    • A bee is a flying insect that is closely related to ants. Entomologists recognize nearly 20,000 known species, which are found in every habitat that contains flowering plants. Common physical characteristics include six legs, fur, a striped lower body and large oval eyes. Bees, depending on the species, can be solitary or live in a colony or community much like ants. They are critical to most ecosystems for their role in pollinating plants and their production of honey and beeswax.

    Grasshopper

    • A grasshopper is a insect invertebrate that has five eyes, two antennae and two pairs of wings. They have very powerful hind legs, which are used to jump very long distances. Their typical diet consists of grasses, leaves and cereal crops. Additionally, grasshoppers are known to blend into the colors of their environment by using camouflage. In some cultures, grasshoppers are eaten due to their high protein content and lack of other sources of food.

    Butterflies

    • Butterflies are flying insects that are active primarily during the day. They are known for their large and colorful patterned wings that are often used as defense against predators. Many butterfly species are migratory and will fly long distances to warmer climates during the winter. A butterfly undergoes several developmental stages; after hatching out of an egg, a butterfly takes the form of larva and are commonly known as caterpillars. After becoming fully grown, a larva transforms into a pupa, where it undergoes its metamorphosis into a butterfly.