insect
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insect
A small animal from the class of arthropods that typically has a body divided into head, thorax, and abdomen, six legs, and often wings.
Eine Biene ist ein nützliches Insekt, das Blüten bestäubt.
A bee is a useful insect that pollinates flowers.
The word 'Insekt' (insect) comes from the Latin 'insectum', meaning 'cut into'. The name refers to these animals' bodies being clearly divided into segments (head, thorax, abdomen).
Man kann den Körperbau des Insekts unter dem Mikroskop gut erkennen.
You can clearly see the body structure of the insect under the microscope.
'Insekt' (insect) is the basis for many useful compound words. Examples include 'der Insektenstich' (insect bite/sting), 'das Insektenschutzmittel' (insect repellent), or 'die Insektenkunde' (entomology).
Im Sommer sollte man immer Insektenschutzmittel dabeihaben.
In summer, you should always have insect repellent with you.
Common combinations are 'nützliche Insekten' (beneficial insects) and 'schädliche Insekten' (harmful insects). You can also be 'von einem Insekt gestochen' (stung by an insect) or 'gebissen werden' (be bitten).
Marienkäfer gelten als nützliche Insekten, da sie Blattläuse fressen.
Ladybugs are considered beneficial insects because they eat aphids.
pest
Insekt refers to an animal according to its zoological classification. Schädling, by contrast, refers to something because of its harmful effect on people, plants, animals, or materials, and it does not have to be an insect. Use Insekt for the animal species and Schädling for the problematic effect.
Die Blattlaus ist ein kleines Insekt mit sechs Beinen.
The aphid is a small insect with six legs.
Wegen der Schäden an den Rosen gilt die Blattlaus als Schädling.
Because of the damage it causes to the roses, the aphid is considered a pest.
