The ability to flyThe quinine exoskeleton
Explanation:
The reason why insects are so successful in diversifying and adapting to different environments is closely related to their morphological and physiological adaptations.
In general, and compared with other groups, insects are small-sized. This characteristic also turns to be important and advantageous. Being small helps them find refuge in any place, escaping from predators, and as they are small they do not need too much food to survive.
Insects have a light and resistant exoskeleton made of chitin, a nitrogenated polysaccharide. This structure turns to be very important because it is impermeable to water, which helps the insect to avoid dehydration, helping the invertebrate to inhabit many different kinds of habitats. Also, the exoskeleton protects the arthropod from toxic substances and their natural enemies attacks, such as predators and pathogens
Insects are the only invertebrate with wings. Flying capacity is probably the most important adaptation that helped insects in their dispersion process to new areas. Being able to fly allows them to move huge distances looking for food, refuge, or mate. However, during evolution, some groups have lost the wings or have reduced their flying capacity.
The short life cycles, and their numerous litters, also helped them in their diversifying process.
