Insect Classification

Insects are members of the Phylum Arthropoda (jointed foot) Five important extant Classes of Arthropods are arachnids, chilopods, diplopods, crustaceans and hexapods or insecta (six feet). The insecta class is then divided into orders, families, genera, and species

All arthropods possess : Exoskeleton - a hard protective covering around the outside of the body (divided by sutures into plates called sclerites) Segmented body Jointed limbs and jointed mouthparts - that allow extensive specialization Bilateral symmetry - a central line can divide the body into two identical halves, left and right

Major classes of anthropods: Class Arachnida (arachnids): spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, etc. 2 body segments - cephalothorax and abdomen 8 legs 1 pair of chelicerae no antennae Some mites are pests

Class Chilopoda (centipedes) many body segments 1 pair of legs per body segment 1 pair of antennae Feed on insects Can be beneficial�

Class Diplopoda (millipedes) many body segments 2 pair of legs per body segment 1 pair of antennae Can be minor pests

Class Crustacea (crustaceans): crabs, shrimp, barnacles, sowbugs, etc. 2 body segments Segments may be fused 5 pairs of legs 2 pairs of antennae Can be minor pests

Class Symphyla (symphylans) 2 body segments 12 pairs of legs Can be a major garden pests

Class Insecta (Insects); beetles, bugs, wasps, moths, flies, butterflies, etc. 3 body segments 6 legs 1 pair of antennae Can be beneficial or pest

Major Orders of class Insecta

Insect Orders ORDER Common Name(s) Mouthparts Wings Other Metamorphosis Mouthparts Wings Other

Knowing the insect order gives you valuable information about many insects: Type of mouthparts Life cycle Type of habitat (or host)

Coleoptera "hard wings"

Coleoptera (beetles, weevils) Complete metamorphosis Adults have hard outer skeleton Chewing mouthparts Noticeable antanae Two pair of wings, outer pair hardened Beneficial pollinators Foliage and root pests

Dermapetra "leathery wings"

Dermaptera (earwigs) Simple metamorphosis Nymphs look similar to adults Short, hardened outer wings Chewing mouthparts Omnivourous (may feed on aphids - beneficial) Mostly feed on fruit and foliage

Diptera "two wings"

Diptera (flies, mosquitos, gnats, midges) Complete metamorphosis Larvae have mouth hooks or chewing parts Larvae called “maggots” Adults have one pair of wings and are soft bodied or hairy Adults have sponging (housefly) or piercing (mosquito) mouthparts Larvae are major recycling organism Many are parasitic or predaceous - beneficial Mosquitos are vectors of disease

Hemiptera "half wings"

Hemiptera (stinkbugs, plant bugs, squash bugs, boxelder bugs) Simple metamorphosis Larvae resemble adults Adults have piercing-sucking mouthparts Two pairs of wings Nymphs and adults are damaging pests Some are predators - beneficial

Homoptera same wings Some of the most destructive insects in agriculture

Homoptera (scale insects,mealybugs, whiteflies, aphids, cicadas, leafhoppers) Simple metamorphosis Nymphs usually resemble adults Adults small and soft bodied (except cicadas) There can be winged and unwinged adults in same species Sucking mouthparts Carriers of plant pathogens

Hymenopera "membrane wings"

Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps, sawflies, horntails) Complete metamorphosis Larvae may have no legs Adults have two pair wings Soft bodied or slightly hard bodied Chewing mouthparts Many beneficial species in this order – prey on or parasitize harmful insects Important pollinators

Lepidotera "scaly wings"

Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths) Complete metamorphosis Larvae are wormlike catepillars Chewing mouthparts, voracious eaters Adults are soft bodied with 4 well developed wings covered with scales Adult mouthpart is coiled sucking tube, feed on nectar Major pollinators Catepillars are plant pests

Neuroptera "net-veined wings"

Neuroptera (lacewings, dobsonflies, alderflies, dustywings) Complete metamorphosis Adults have two pair similar wings Chewing mouthparts Important predators of garden pests

Orthoptera "straight wings"

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, praying mantis) Simple metamorphosis Nymphs resemble adults, except wingless Adults moderate size to large, hard bodied Two pair of wings Chewing mouthparts Hind legs often enlarged for jumping Adults and nymphs are damaging Praying mantids are beneficial predators

Thysanoptera "fringed wings" thrips

Thysanoptera (thrips) Mixture complete and simple metamorphosis Adults are small, soft bodied insects Rasping-sucking mouthparts Two pair slender wings, fringed with hair

Can you guess what “tera” means? Why might it be important to know the type of mouthparts? What are some names we call larvae? (grub, maggot, catepillar) Why is knowing metamorphosis, or life cycle important?

Root words! Coleo = sheath Derm = skin, leathery Di = two Hemi = half Homo = same, mirror image Hymen = membrane Iso = equal Lepido = scale

metamorphosis “Complete“: Egg – larvae (3-5 instar)– pupa – adult (emerges fully developed) Instar: exoskeletal shedding of skin to grow “Simple” Egg – nymph - adult

mouthparts