back     next Insects and Biodiversity What are insects? Sheer numbers Evolution and the Origin of Insect Diversity Flowering Plants Insects and People Beneficial insects Insects as pests Insect Characteristics Anatomy Senses Metamorphosis Physiology

INSECTS AND BIODIVERSITY EVOLUTION AND THE ORIGIN OF INSECT DIVERSITY Where did they all come from? It is believed that insects originated from a centipede-like ancestor as far back as the Devonian period, over 350 million years ago. Plants had recently colonized the land and forests were just beginning to form. The diversification of insects began within primordial forests. The proliferation of ancient forms of land vegetation such as club mosses, horsetails, and ferns made the terrestrial environment hospitable to insects who were able to use these plants as a source of food and shelter. Back to top