1. Common Insect Orders

2. A Review of Taxonomy
All organisms are broken into a series of groups, called taxa.
The smallest taxon is the species and the largest taxon is the domain.

3. A Review of Taxonomy Domain Kingdom Kids Phylum Playing Class Catch
Order On
Family Freeways
Genus Get
Species Smooshed

4. Notes on Insect Anatomy

5. Notes on Insect Anatomy

6. Notes on Insect Anatomy

7. Diptera True Flies 1 pair of membranous wings.
2nd pair of reduced wings for balancers.
Sucking mouth parts.
                                        

8. Ephemeroptera Mayflies 2 pairs of membranous triangular shaped wings.
1st pair is larger
3 cerci on tip of abdomen.
                                                                                          

9. Lepidoptera Butterflies and Moths 2 pairs of membranous wings scales.
Sucking mouth parts coiled under the head.
                           

10. Trichoptera Cadisflies 2 pairs of hairy membranous wings.
Chewing mouth parts.
Larva are aquatic and usually build cases.
                           

11. Homoptera Hoppers, Aphids, and Cicadas
2 pairs of similar membranous wings.
Sucking mouth parts.
                           

12. Neuroptera
Lacewings
2 pairs membranous wings
Chewing mouthparts
                                                                                 

13. Hemiptera True Bugs 2 pairs of wings that are not alike.
1st pair is membranous and horny.
2nd pair is membranous.
Sucking mouth parts.
                           

14. Odonata Dragonflies and Damselflies 2 pairs of long membranous wings.
Wings are similar in size and shape.
Chewing mouth parts.
                                  

15. Mecoptera Scorpionflies 2 pairs of similar membranous wings
Chewing mouth parts
                                        

16. Hymenoptera Bees, wasps, and ants
2 pairs of membranous wings with reduced veination
Chewing or chewing and sucking mouth parts
Female has sawlike or peircing ovipositor or a stinger
Many live together in colonies
                                        

17. Plecoptera Stone flies Have 2 pairs of membranous wings
1st pair is long
2nd pair is larger and folded in pleats
Chewing mouth parts
Cerci
                                        

18. Coleoptera Beetles 2 pairs of unlike wings Chewing mouth parts
1st pair meets in a straight line down the back
2nd pair is membranous and folded under the front wings
Chewing mouth parts
No cerci
                                        

19. Orthoptera Grasshoppers and crickets 2 pairs of unlike wings
1st pair is long and thick
2nd pair is membranous, triangular and folded in pleats
Chewing mouth parts
cerci
                                        

20. Dermaptera Earwigs 2 pairs of unlike wings
1st pair meets in a line down the back
2nd pair is membranous with radiating veins and is folded lengthwise and crosswise
Chewing mouth parts
Forcep-like cerci
                                        

21. Thysanura Silverfish Wingless Chewing mouth parts
11 abdominal segments
Usually have long cerci
                                        

22. Review of Dichotomous Keys
A dichotemous key is a guide for identification based on a series of steps with “yes” or “no” answers.
The answer at each step guides the user to the next appropriate step.

23. Good websites to help with identification: