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

Parts of an insect Abdomen Head Thorax

Parts of an insect Abdomen Head Thorax 3 pairs of legs

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

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

Mouthparts: Chewing mandibles mandibles Just a quick overview of what we mean by mouthparts

Mouthparts: Sucking Coiled Piercing Sponging-sucking Just a quick overview of what we mean by mouthparts Sponging-sucking

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies) Greek “odon” = tooth (referring to teeth on their mandibles) Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies) Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies) Spot ID Long slender wings Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies) Spot ID Long slender wings Long thin body Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Blattodea (roaches) Latin “blatta” = cockroach

Blattodea (roaches)

Blattodea (roaches) Spot ID Flat

Blattodea (roaches) Spot ID Flat Spiny legs

Blattodea (roaches) Spot ID Flat Spiny legs Long antennae

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets) Greek “orthos” = straight, “pteros” = wing Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets) Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets) Spot ID Jumping hind legs Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets) Spot ID Jumping hind legs Some with ovipositor at hind end Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Dermaptera (earwigs) Greek “derma” = skin, “ptero” = wing

Dermaptera (earwigs) Greek “derma” = skin, “ptero” = wing Spot ID Long skin-like hindwings folded under very short forewings

Dermaptera (earwigs) Greek “derma” = skin, “ptero” = wing Spot ID Long skin-like hindwings folded under very short forewings Pinchers off end of abdomen

Hemiptera (bugs, hoppers, aphids, scales, cicadas) Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wing

Hemiptera (bugs, hoppers, aphids, scales, cicadas) Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wing Spot ID A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts

Hemiptera (bugs, hoppers, aphids, scales, cicadas) Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wing Spot ID A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts Forewings covering hindwings Wing half membrane, half thickened or Wing all membranous

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

Coleoptera (beetles)

Coleoptera (beetles) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts

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

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

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

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

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

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Because they are joined together and the hindwings are often small, it can be difficult to tell whether there are four wings.

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Because they are joined together and the hindwings are often small, it can be difficult to tell whether there are four wings.

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings Because they are joined together and the hindwings are often small, it can be difficult to tell whether there are four wings.

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings Waist often constricted Because they are joined together and the hindwings are often small, it can be difficult to tell whether there are four wings.

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings Waist often constricted Females with ovipositor or stinger at end of abdomen Because they are joined together and the hindwings are often small, it can be difficult to tell whether there are four wings.

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

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

Insects and other Arthropods