Insect taxonomic diversity By: Michael Brown

Insect orders Ephemeroptera Odonata Blattaria Isoptera Dermatptera Orthoptera Phasmida Hemiptera Coleoptera Lepidoptera Diptera Siphonoptera Hymenoptera Mantodea Plecoptea

Ephemeroptera In complete egg development (egg, nymph, adult) Immatures are aquatic (naiads) Unable to fold wings back Common in freshwater habitats worldwide

odonata While both dragonflies and damselflies belong to the Odonata and share many common features, then are a number of noticeable differences as well. Even before hatching from the egg, differences in morphology of the egg distinguish dragonflies (Anisoptera) from damselflies (Zygoptera).

blatteria Cockroaches leave chemical trails in their feces, as well as emitting airborne pheromones for swarming and mating

isoptera Hemimetabola Orthopteroid incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult) Orthopteroid closely related to Blattodea and Mantodea Distribution: Extremely common in tropical and subtropical climates.  Generally less abundant in temperate regions.

DErmatptera Hemimetabola Orthopteroid incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult) Orthopteroid closely related to Orthoptera and Phasmatodea Distribution: Common and widely distributed throughout the world.  Largest diversity is found in the tropics and subtropics

orthoptera Filiform antennae Hind legs modified for jumping Front wings thickened and parallel- sided (tegmina

phasmida Hemimetabola Orthopteroid incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult) Orthopteroid closely related to Orthoptera and Dermaptera Distribution:  Common in tropical and subtropical climates where they are found living on their host plants.

hemiptera Hemimetabola Hemipteroid incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult) Hemipteroid closely related to Thysanoptera and Psocoptera Distribution: Abundant worldwide.  All species are terrestrial herbivores.

coleoptera These beetles are the heaviest of all insects, yet they are strong fliers that buzz loudly when visiting flowers for nectar and pollen.   The larvae live in the soil where they feed on roots.

lepidoptera Front and hind wings with large surface area Body and wings mostly covered with tiny pigmented scales

diptera Only one pair of membranous wings present Hind wings modified as halteres

siphonoptera Teardrop-shaped body bilaterally flattened Long hind legs adapted for jumping Heavy bristles (ctenidia) often present on gena and/or pronotum

hymenoptera Holometabola complete development (egg, larva, pupa, adult) The Hymenoptera is divided into two suborders: Symphyta (sawflies and horntails) have a broad junction between thorax and abdomen Apocrita (ants, bees, and wasps) have a narrow junction between the thorax and abdomen. Distribution: Common worldwide. Third largest order of insects

mantodea Hemimetabola Orthopteroid incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult) Orthopteroid closely related to Orthoptera and Blattodea Distribution: Common in tropical and subtropical climates.

plecoptera Hemimetabola Orthopteroid incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult) Orthopteroid closely related to Orthoptera and Embioptera Distribution: Common in and around fast-moving streams in temperate and boreal climates.

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