1. Major Insect Orders

2. Odonata Order Odonata Dragonflies and Damselflies
University of Michigan
Order Odonata
meaning: odon = tooth
first true insect group
3 pair of segmented appendages
segmented antennae
three distinct body segments: head, thorax and abdomen
two pair of membranous wings
unable to fold wings over abdomen
large, extended abdomen
large eyes
enlarged mouthparts for catching prey
predators of other insects
Dragonflies - wings held horizontal at rest, broader abdomen, unequal wings
Damselflies - wings held vertically at rest, thinner abdomen, equal wings
Dragonflies and Damselflies
University of Michigan

3. Lepidoptera Order Lepidoptera Butterflies and Moths
Kansas State University
Order Lepidoptera
meaning: lepido=scale, ptera=wing
two pair of membranous wings with scales
unable to completely fold wings over abdomen
long antennae
larvae (caterpillars) - chewing mouthparts
adults - piercing/sucking mouthparts
larvae feed on plant material
adults feed on nectar or not at all
Butterflies - wings held vertically at rest, diurnal
Moths - wings held horizontally at rest, nocturnal
Butterflies and Moths
University of Michigan

4. Homoptera Order Homoptera Aphids, Leafhoppers, Cicadas, and Scales
University of Michigan
Order Homoptera
meaning: homo=same, ptera=wing
two of membranous wings - same material throughout
wings often held in a tent-like position at rest
several groups become apterous - lost their wings
piercing/sucking mouthparts
adults and immatures feed on plant materials and can be vectors for disease
Aphids - winged or wingless
Scale - wingless
Leafhoppers
Cicadas
Aphids, Leafhoppers, Cicadas, and Scales
NCSU

5. Hemiptera Order Hemiptera True Bugs meaning: hemi=half, ptera=wing
University of Michigan
Order Hemiptera
meaning: hemi=half, ptera=wing
two pair of wings
wings can be folded over abdomen
half of the forewing is sclerotized
hindwing folded under forewing - large surface area
piercing/sucking mouthparts
adults and immatures can feed on plant material or other insects
True Bugs
True Bugs
University of Michigan

6. Orthoptera Order Orthoptera
meaning: ortho=straight, ptera=wing
two pair of wings
wings can be folded over abdomen
forewing straight (does not curve over abdomen), leathery and narrow (usually)
hindwing folded fan-like beneath forewing - large surface area
legs modified for jumping or fast running
chewing mouthparts
adults and immatures can be plant feeders
Grasshoppers
Roaches - house pests
Mantids
Katydids
Crickets
Walkingsticks - wings are reduced
University of Michigan
Grasshoppers, Roaches, Mantids, Katydids, Crickets, and Walkingsticks

7. Coleoptera Order Coleoptera Beetles meaning: koleos=sheath, ptera=wing
two pair of wings
wings can be folded over abdomen
forewing heavily sclerotized - protective covering
hindwing folded underneath forewing - large surface area
chewing mouthparts
adults and larvae feed on plant material
Beetles
Smithsonian Institution
Beetles
Smithsonian Institution

8. Smithsonian Institution
Hymenoptera
Smithsonian Institution
University of Michigan
Order Hymenoptera
meaning: hymeno=god of marriage, ptera=wing
social insects
two pair of membranous wings
wings cannot completely fold over abdomen
some groups apterous
stinging organ - ovipositor can be used in defensive capacity
piercing/sucking or chewing mouthparts
adults feed on plant material, nectar, or other insects
Ants - apterous, plant eater
Bees - nectar feeder
Wasps - predatory
Ants, Bees, and Wasps
University of Michigan

9. Diptera Order Diptera Flies meaning: di=two, ptera=wing Flies
University of Michigan
Order Diptera
meaning: di=two, ptera=wing
only one pair of membranous wing
second pair of wings now functions as a balance organ - the haltere
wings cannot completely fold over abdomen
piercing/sucking and chewing mouthparts
larvae (maggots) feed on plant and animal tissue
adults feed on dead/decaying material
Flies
Mosquitoes
Bringham Young/VPI & SU
Flies

10. Isoptera Order Isoptera Termites meaning: iso=equal, ptera=wing
adult sexual forms have two equal pair of wings
most are apterous
social insects
chewing mouthparts
adults and immatures feed on dead/decaying plant material
Termites
Kansas State University
Kansas State University
Termites

11. Thysanoptera Order Thysanoptera Thrips
meaning: thysano=fringe, ptera=wing
two pair of wings fringed with hair
piercing/sucking mouthparts
adults and immatures eat plant material
Thrips
Brigham Young/VPI & SU
Thrips