Common insect orders

Insects are the most species- rich group of organisms on earth as indicated in this species-scape. The size of the organism reflects the number of described species.

Parts of an insect

HeadThorax Abdomen

Parts of an insect HeadThorax Abdomen 3 pairs of legs

Parts of an insect HeadThorax Abdomen 3 pairs of legs Wings and legs on thorax

Important areas to study to identify common insect orders HeadThorax Abdomen 3 pairs of legs

Mouthparts: Chewing mandibles

Mouthparts: Piercing Sucking Sponging-sucking Coiled

Order Coleoptera Beetles

Bombardier Beetles When these beetles are threatened, they emit a toxic liquid from their anal glands. The liquid vaporizes into a “Puff”, making a protective screen. It can stain a human’s skin.

Coleoptera (Beetles) Largest order in the animal kingdom 1 in 4 animals are beetles 300,000 species world wide, 30,000 in the U.S. All beetles can fly Larvae are called “grubs” Complete Metamorphosis

Tiger Beetles Tiger beetles are ferocious predators. Strong jaws to hold prey. Active at night, easy to spot with flashlight, due to metallic colors they exhibit.

Aquatic diving beetles This whirligig beetle, is a predator as a larva and adult. They eat small fish, amphibians, other aquatic insects.

Scarab Beetles Scarab beetles eat dung and other organic matter. One group of Scarab beetles are called “Dung Beetles”

Ground beetles Most common beetle family, over 3,000 species in North America. They are found under logs, rocks, and leaves.

Blister Beetles (Ground Beetle) Blister beetles can emit a chemical (cantharidin), which causes blisters on human skin

Coleoptera (beetles) Greek “koleos”= sheath, “ptero”= wing

Coleoptera (beetles)

Spot ID Chewing mouthparts

Coleoptera (beetles) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Forewings (elytra) form hard shell covering hindwings

Order Hymenoptera Social Insects 2nd largest order of insects: behind Coleoptera

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Greek “hymen”=membrane, “ptero”=wing or Hymen, the Greek god of marriage because the forewing & hindwings are joined together with small hooks Hooks not shown

Social Insects Bees Ants Wasps Sawflies

Social insects have a way to communicate Bees- bees can dance. The type of dance they do tell others in the hive the direction of the food

Social insects have a way to communicate Ants- Ants drop formic acid as a trail for other ants to follow to find a food source

Bees Bees are well known to aid pollination. Pollen is a sticky substance, it sticks to the legs of bees as they fly from flower to flower

Bees are beneficial Honey production Wax production Pollination Enemies of crop pests- particularly lepidopteran caterpillars

Bees lose their stinger when they sting, many types of bees die due to this

Wasps do not lose their stinger and can sting numerous times

Killer Bees Are dangerous to bee keepers, these african bees have a mean disposition

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants)

Spot ID Chewing mouthparts

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings Waist often constricted

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings Waist often constricted Females with ovipositor or stinger at end of abdomen

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies) Greek “odon” = tooth (referring to teeth on their mandibles)

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies)

Spot ID Long slender wings

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies) Spot ID Long slender wings Long thin body

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets) Greek “orthos” = straight, “pteros” = wing

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets)

Spot ID Jumping hind legs

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets) Spot ID Jumping hind legs Some with ovipositor at hind end

Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths) Greek “lepido”= scale, “ptero”= wing

Coiling-sucking mouthparts

Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths) Greek “lepido”= scale, “ptero”= wing Coiling-sucking mouthparts Four wings covered with scales

Hemiptera (TRUE BUGS) Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wing Spot ID A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts

Hemiptera (TRUE BUGS) Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wing Spot ID A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts Forewings covering hindwings –Wing half membrane, half thickened or –Wing all membranous

HEMIPTERA Suborder Heteroptera (Sometimes True Bugs are classified as Heteropterans) True Bugs The name Heteroptera, derived from the Greek "hetero-" meaning different and "ptera" meaning wings, refers to the fact that the texture of the front wings is different near the base (leathery) than at the apex (membranous).

HEMIPTERA Suborder Heteroptera

Homoptera (sometimes refered to as a suborder under Hemipteran) Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Scale Insects Acanaloniid Planthopper - Acanalonia bivittata Leafhopper Coelida olitoria

Homoptera (sometimes refered to as a suborder under Hemipteran) Annual Cicada - Tibicen canicularis Also commonly called the Dog Day Cicada Red aphids by the hundreds

Diptera (flies) Latin “di”= two, “ptero”= wing

Spot ID Two wings

Diptera (flies) Latin “di”= two, “ptero”= wing Spot ID Two wings –Hind wings reduced to halteres

Diptera (flies) Latin “di”= two, “ptero”= wing Spot ID Two wings –Hind wings reduced to halteres Sponging-sucking mouthparts –Except mosquitoes and some others that pierce skin

Insects and other Arthropods