KNOWN SPECIES
Approximately 950,000 insects, 8 million
estimated; Approximately 13,000 myriapods
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SIZE RANGE
0.25 mm to over 30 cm
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ECOLOGICAL ROLES AND HUMAN USES
Herbivores, predators, decomposers, scavengers,
parasites • Major pollinator of plants, including agricultural
crops • Some destroy crops, but others eat harmful insects
and other pests • Aerate soil • Break down dead plants
and animals, and recycle nutrients • Humans use insects
as food, in biological research, in pest control, and
as a source of honey, silk, medicines, and industrial
products (wax, shellac, resins)
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