Insects Dichotomous Key worksheet - Free Printable

Problem Overview:

The task involves using a dichotomous key to classify organisms based on their characteristics. A dichotomous key is a tool that helps identify organisms by providing a series of choices between two options at each step. By following the key, you can narrow down the identification of an organism.

Steps to Solve:

1. Understand the Dichotomous Key: The key provides a series of binary (two-choice) questions about the characteristics of the organism. Each choice leads to another question or directly identifies the organism.
2. Analyze Each Image: For each image, determine the characteristics of the organism and follow the key step-by-step until you reach the correct identification.
3. Record the Answers: Write the name of the identified organism in the corresponding box below each image.

Solution:

#### Step 1: Analyze the First Row of Images
1. Image 1 (Spider):
- Has 8 legs → Go to Question 5.
- Very hairy body → Tarantula.
- Answer: Tarantula

2. Image 2 (Butterfly):
- Has 6 legs → Go to Question 3.
- Has wings → Go to Question 4.
- Colored wings → Butterfly.
- Answer: Butterfly

3. Image 3 (Ant):
- Has 6 legs → Go to Question 3.
- No wings → Go to Question 7.
- No jumping hind legs → Ants.
- Answer: Ants

4. Image 4 (Housefly):
- Has 6 legs → Go to Question 3.
- Has wings → Go to Question 4.
- Transparent wings → Go to Question 9.
- One set of transparent wings → Housefly.
- Answer: Housefly

5. Image 5 (Spider):
- Has 8 legs → Go to Question 5.
- Light hair covering the body → Go to Question 6.
- Black with large red symbols on body → Black Widow Spider.
- Answer: Black Widow Spider

6. Image 6 (Snake):
- Vertebrate (has backbone) → Rattlesnake.
- Answer: Rattlesnake

#### Step 2: Analyze the Second Row of Images
7. Image 7 (Fly):
- Has 6 legs → Go to Question 3.
- Has wings → Go to Question 4.
- Transparent wings → Go to Question 9.
- Two sets of transparent wings → Go to Question 10.
- Few hairs, longer body → Wasp.
- Answer: Wasp

8. Image 8 (Moth):
- Has 6 legs → Go to Question 3.
- Has wings → Go to Question 4.
- Antennae are feathery with no club at the end → Moth.
- Answer: Moth

9. Image 9 (Butterfly):
- Has 6 legs → Go to Question 3.
- Has wings → Go to Question 4.
- Antennae are club-shaped with a bulb at the end → Butterfly.
- Answer: Butterfly

10. Image 10 (Grasshopper):
- Has 6 legs → Go to Question 3.
- No wings → Go to Question 7.
- Jumping hind legs → Grasshopper.
- Answer: Grasshopper

11. Image 11 (Black Widow Spider):
- Has 8 legs → Go to Question 5.
- Light hair covering the body → Go to Question 6.
- Black with large red symbols on body → Black Widow Spider.
- Answer: Black Widow Spider

12. Image 12 (Beetle):
- Has 6 legs → Go to Question 3.
- Has wings → Go to Question 4.
- Front wings are hidden with wing casing → Beetle.
- Answer: Beetle

Final Answer:

```
Tarantula, Butterfly, Ants, Housefly, Black Widow Spider, Rattlesnake
Wasp, Moth, Butterfly, Grasshopper, Black Widow Spider, Beetle
```

Boxed Final Answer:
\boxed{Tarantula, Butterfly, Ants, Housefly, Black Widow Spider, Rattlesnake, Wasp, Moth, Butterfly, Grasshopper, Black Widow Spider, Beetle}