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Life Cycle Of Insects, Bugs And Pests: Fleas, Ticks, Green Stink Bug, Pill Bug, Bed Bug And Lady Bugs
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Published: December 15, 2006
When considering the life cycle of insects and pests, most assume the duration is short. However, in reality, an insect’s life cycle most often lasts up to several years, with many different stages of transformation.
Due to the presence of an exoskeleton, insects generally grow in stages by molting or shedding their outer layer.
The stages between these molts are referred to as instars. All insects start as eggs; the duration of their life cycle depends on whether or not they have wings.
There are two types of life cycles for insects and pests. The wingless insects go through their young stages called nymphs. It does not change in physical appearance besides growing in size and perhaps developing reproductive organs.
Winged insects like beetles or butterflies go through young stages referred to as larvae. Throughout the course of its cycle, its appearance greatly changes. This change is collectively called metamorphosis.
For both types, the cycle can last up to several years, depending on the conditions of weather and other environmental factors. Overall, however, the particular development of each insect depends on its specific species.
The green stink bug, also known as the shield bug, is known for its vivid green color in the summer and its brown color in the winter. It changes color due to its cycle and need to adapt to the environmental surroundings. The green stink bug received its name because it secretes a smelly substance as a defense mechanism when disturbed or handled.
Another insect with a noticeable defense mechanism is the pill bug. The pill bug is a form of crustacean which has evolved to be able to survive on land instead of in water. This bug rolls into a ball when disturbed to protect itself and is found in damp, dark places. It generally is harmless and can promote the breakdown of dead vegetation.
The June bug also breaks down vegetation, but in a destructive manner. This bug is greatly present in the summer months. When it is found in large numbers, it can be devastating to foliage. These insects pupate underground in the fall and emerge as adults the following spring to complete their life cycle.
Like the June bug, the lady bug is a form of beetle. It feeds in its larval and adult stages, however, it hibernates in the winter. The larval period usually lasts for three weeks. Its coloring is considered a defensive function, a warning to other insects they would be distasteful. However, lady bugs are considered a form of natural pest control, feeding on other detrimental insects.
The bed bug is considered one of these destructive pests. It is a wingless species whose life cycle from egg to adult is eight weeks. It is a blood-sucking parasite capable of surviving several months without feeding.
Similar to the bed bug, fleas are small, wingless external parasites which feed on warm-blooded animals. Fleas have three larval stages, with the pupal stage being last. It spends its entire life cycle in the vicinity of the host. Its life cycle lasts two to three weeks from egg to adult.
Ticks are the smallest of these pests, usually around one millimeter long. They go through several stages from egg to adult. In the larval stage, they have three pairs of legs. The nymphal stage follows when the ticks form four pairs of legs like an adult.
Although the life cycle of such a small creature like these insects can be assumed to be short, in actuality it is a rather complex and lengthy growing process in which the insect goes through many changes while developing fully into its adult form.
Sources:
Insects and spiders of New Zealand/Aotearoa. 2001. 13 December 2006.
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/education/inse cts_spiders/insects/lifecycles.asp
Kendall Bioresearch Services. 6 June 2005. 13 December 2006.
http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/life.htm
Wikipedia. 12 December 2006. 13 December 2006.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllophaga_%28genu s%29
Due to the presence of an exoskeleton, insects generally grow in stages by molting or shedding their outer layer.
Related Articles
There are two types of life cycles for insects and pests. The wingless insects go through their young stages called nymphs. It does not change in physical appearance besides growing in size and perhaps developing reproductive organs.
Winged insects like beetles or butterflies go through young stages referred to as larvae. Throughout the course of its cycle, its appearance greatly changes. This change is collectively called metamorphosis.
For both types, the cycle can last up to several years, depending on the conditions of weather and other environmental factors. Overall, however, the particular development of each insect depends on its specific species.
The green stink bug, also known as the shield bug, is known for its vivid green color in the summer and its brown color in the winter. It changes color due to its cycle and need to adapt to the environmental surroundings. The green stink bug received its name because it secretes a smelly substance as a defense mechanism when disturbed or handled.
Another insect with a noticeable defense mechanism is the pill bug. The pill bug is a form of crustacean which has evolved to be able to survive on land instead of in water. This bug rolls into a ball when disturbed to protect itself and is found in damp, dark places. It generally is harmless and can promote the breakdown of dead vegetation.
The June bug also breaks down vegetation, but in a destructive manner. This bug is greatly present in the summer months. When it is found in large numbers, it can be devastating to foliage. These insects pupate underground in the fall and emerge as adults the following spring to complete their life cycle.
Like the June bug, the lady bug is a form of beetle. It feeds in its larval and adult stages, however, it hibernates in the winter. The larval period usually lasts for three weeks. Its coloring is considered a defensive function, a warning to other insects they would be distasteful. However, lady bugs are considered a form of natural pest control, feeding on other detrimental insects.
The bed bug is considered one of these destructive pests. It is a wingless species whose life cycle from egg to adult is eight weeks. It is a blood-sucking parasite capable of surviving several months without feeding.
Similar to the bed bug, fleas are small, wingless external parasites which feed on warm-blooded animals. Fleas have three larval stages, with the pupal stage being last. It spends its entire life cycle in the vicinity of the host. Its life cycle lasts two to three weeks from egg to adult.
Ticks are the smallest of these pests, usually around one millimeter long. They go through several stages from egg to adult. In the larval stage, they have three pairs of legs. The nymphal stage follows when the ticks form four pairs of legs like an adult.
Although the life cycle of such a small creature like these insects can be assumed to be short, in actuality it is a rather complex and lengthy growing process in which the insect goes through many changes while developing fully into its adult form.
Sources:
Insects and spiders of New Zealand/Aotearoa. 2001. 13 December 2006.
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/education/inse cts_spiders/insects/lifecycles.asp
Kendall Bioresearch Services. 6 June 2005. 13 December 2006.
http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/life.htm
Wikipedia. 12 December 2006. 13 December 2006.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllophaga_%28genu s%29
