---
title: "The insect body plan"
description: "The adult insect body plan has three main parts: head, thorax and abdomen. Its usual six legs attach to the thorax, and its antennae are on the head. Many adults have wings. An outer covering called a"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-insect-body-plan-mt_oNWXXAn3cn
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-insect-body-plan-mt_oNWXXAn3cn.md
retrieved: 2026-11-12
---

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# The insect body plan

The adult insect body plan has three main parts: head, thorax and abdomen. Its usual six legs attach to the thorax, and its antennae are on the head. Many adults have wings. An outer covering called an exoskeleton supports and protects the body.

Subject: Science · Area: Insects & Minibeasts · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-insect-body-plan-mt_oNWXXAn3cn

## Ready when they can

- Name the head, thorax and abdomen in front-to-back order and identify the thorax as the middle body part
- Describe the usual adult insect body plan as six legs attached to the thorax
- Explain that an insect's outer covering, called an exoskeleton, supports and protects its body rather than internal bones

## Lesson: The insect body plan

You have met ants, beetles and butterflies. These are insects. An adult insect has three main body parts. The head is at the front. The thorax is in the middle. The abdomen is at the back.

*(drawing: The names show front-to-back order. The boxes are not an insect drawing.)*

The usual adult insect body plan has three pairs of legs, making six legs. All six attach to the thorax. Young insects can look different. An injured adult may lose or damage a leg. This does not change its animal group. To count legs on several complete adults, count six for each animal and add the groups.

**Example.** An adult beetle has two antennae, or feelers, on its head, along with its eyes and mouth. Its legs attach to the thorax. Wings, when present, attach there too. The abdomen is behind the thorax. A list can help you remember these names, but you need a clear picture or specimen to see the actual body parts.

Insects have no internal bones. Their outer covering is called an exoskeleton. It supports and protects the body. Some parts are hard. Flexible parts let the body bend and move. The exoskeleton is outside the body, not a set of bones inside.

**Recap.** An adult insect has a head, thorax and abdomen. Its usual six legs attach to the thorax. Its outer exoskeleton supports and protects its body.

*Original lesson, questions and flashcards written for this learning dataset.*

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Common minibeasts: naming and recognising](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/common-minibeasts-naming-and-recognising-mt_yR1moI5kX1)

## Optional connections

- [How minibeasts move](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/how-minibeasts-move-mt__7hXSTbu9s)

## Opens up

- [Not all minibeasts are insects](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/not-all-minibeasts-are-insects-mt_4vHa3I5bNj)
- [Social insects: ants and bees](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/social-insects-ants-and-bees-mt_guaaD6Dn2M)
- [Incredible insects: record-breakers](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/incredible-insects-record-breakers-mt_M7YrfAZk8u)
- [Insect anatomy in depth](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/insect-anatomy-in-depth-mt_Oz8yNPNtub)