Learn more about Class Insecta at the 25th annual Insect-O-Rama

Describe 1 quintillion.

If you said “the numeral ‘one’ with 18 zeros attached to it,” you’re correct and you probably have an interest in numbers. If you said “one-tenth of the number of insects in the world” you may – or may not – be correct, but it means you have an interest in one of the earth’s most fascinating creatures.

Although most people don’t usually think of insects as animals, taxonomic definition indicates they are: Class Insecta is part of Kingdom Animalia. A very large part, in fact, which brings us back to the numeric figure of 10 quintillion.

For some experts who like to estimate, that’s their ballpark estimate of how many insects there are in the world. The most honest answer, of course, is that no one knows for sure. Some entomologists say there are 30 million species in the world, others estimate there could be 50 million species or more. When you consider that many of these individual species number far into the millions, the best word to describe the number of insects in the world is “unfathomable.”

People can learn more about insects from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center’s 25th annual “Insect-O-Rama” program. No registration is required for the Insect-O-Rama program. Families and individuals can come anytime during the event, which is open to all ages. For more information, call 417-888-4237.

Though insects have many shapes, sizes and colors; it’s much easier to describe them than to count them. All insects are arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda) and, thus, are creatures that lack spines and have jointed legs and external skeletons. All insects have three distinct body sections – a head, a thorax and an abdomen. All insects also have two antennae and six legs.

From a biological perspective, it’s easy to view insects as the most successful life form on earth, and it’s not just because of their incredible abundance. When you consider the diversity of physical appearances, the various means of locomotion (flying, hopping, running, swimming, etc.) and the many methods of surviving that insects have developed; you have a list of accomplishments that are hard to beat.

It’s true some type of insects, either on an occasional or regular basis, deserve the “pest” reputation many people have for this class of creatures. Sometimes stinging insects build nests too close to human residences and have to be eliminated. A number of insects pose problems for agricultural crops and gardens and even the most ardent insect-lover won’t defend the disease-carrying capabilities of fleas and mosquitoes.

However, it’s equally true that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to insects for the plant pollination benefits provided by bees and butterflies. We humans are also thankful for ladybugs, green lacewings and other insects that serve as natural pest controls by having voracious appetites for aphids, mealy bugs and other creatures that like to chew on crops and garden vegetables. Simply put, we humans could not have survived as a species without the assistance we have received from insects. Learning more about the insects around us is a good way to eliminate the problems they cause and appreciate the good they do for us.

At Friday’s Insect-O-Rama event, local insect experts will join MDC staff to provide an evening of insect information and fun activities. Weather-permitting, events will take place inside and outside the Nature Center in the form of displays, crafts, games and exhibits featuring live insects. The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is located at 4601 S. Nature Center Way in Springfield.

Information about some species of insects found in Missouri can also be found at mdc.mo.gov.

Francis Skalicky is the media specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Southwest Region. For information about conservation issues, call 417-895-6880.