INSECTS

INSECTS (Insecta), a class of anthropods. There are 2 known subclasses (Entognatha and Ectognatha), 32 orders, about 2 million species. There are over 30 orders with 17 thous. species in the RB. Their body, which is 1.5–120.0 mm long, is composed of a head, a sternum and an abdomen. They are mostly terrestrial animals, though there are species  that inhabit water, soil, food, etc. Some I. transmit human and animal infectious diseases. Many carnivore and parasytic I. are used for pest control. Honey bees are bred to obtain honey, beeswax and other bee­-keeping products. The Red List of the RB includes 38 I. species (Sympetium pedemontanum, praying mantid, etc), out of which 11 species (apollo, Sage pedo, stag beetle, etc) are also included in the Red List of the RF.