" Insects' Success Haiku "
by Suzán Jiván
I
Rolled into a ball
as galleries of orders
presented like keys
II
Limbs used for walking
needing to use a hand lens
looking carefully
III
Might be the larva
or pupa of an insect
long, blind, soft body
IV
Leg-bearing segments
modified as poison fangs
immature stages
V
Hidden under wings
relatively primitive
globular body
VI
Common winglessness
oceanic, cave dwelling
flattened side-to-side
VII
Eyes small or absent
legs modified to grip host
biting parasites
VIII
Ventral projections
can jump well, eyes touching, humped
blood sucking in nests
IX
Lives in colonies
often with constricted waists
can be seen stinging
X
Long, sticklike body
widely separated legs
remain motionless
XI
Squat body, humped back
from the front, large, bulbous head
bulging reduced eyes
XII
Short tube underhead
elongating, forming beaks
coiling proboscis
XIII
Wings covered with scales
joined by tiny hooks or hairs
toughened wing cases
XIV
Wings of equal size
joined in flight by triangles
thoracic, backward
XV
Threadlike antennae
wings held together, roof-like
over bulging eyes
XVI
Lacewings and allies
netlike wings, many cross veins
reddish shiny eyes
XVII
Attracted to lights
stalked eggs on vegetation
pupate in cocoons
XVIII
Taking to the air
into far greater ranges
highly successful...
