Common Insect Orders

Adapted from Berkeley Natural History Museums lesson “A Quick Way to Identify Common Insect Orders”

Parts of an insect

Parts of an insect

Head Thorax Abdomen

Parts of an insect

Head Thorax Abdomen

3 pairs of legs

Parts of an insect

Head Thorax Abdomen

3 pairs of legsWings and legs on thorax

Important areas to study to identify common insect orders

Head Thorax Abdomen

3 pairs of legs

Mouthparts:Chewing

mandibles

mandibles

Mouthparts:

Piercing

Sucking

Sponging-sucking

Coiled

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids) Greek "ortho" = straight, "ptera" = wing

Spot ID• Jumping legs• parallel-sided structure

of front wings

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids)

Greek “orthos” = straight, “pteros” = wing

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids)

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids)

Spot ID• Jumping hind legs

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids)

Spot ID• Jumping hind legs• Some with ovipositor at hind

end

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

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

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

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

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)

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants)Spot ID• Chewing mouthparts

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants)Spot ID• Chewing mouthparts• Four membranous wings

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants)Spot ID• Chewing mouthparts• Four membranous wings• Waist often constricted

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants)Spot ID• Chewing mouthparts• Four membranous wings• Waist often constricted• Females with ovipositor or

stinger at end of abdomen

Hemiptera (true bugs, also sometimes called Heteroptera)

Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wing

Hemiptera (true bugs)

Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wingSpot ID• A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts

Hemiptera (true bugs)

Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wingSpot ID• A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts• Forewings covering hindwings

– Wing half membrane, half thickened

Homoptera (hoppers, aphids, scales, cicadas)

Greek “homo” = uniform, “ptero” = wingSpot ID• A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts• Forewings covering hindwings

– Wings all membranous

Homoptera (hoppers, aphids, scales, cicadas)

Greek “homo” = uniform, “ptero” = wingSome entomologists now combine Order

Homoptera with Order Hemiptera because the DNA has been found to be similar. In this case, Homoptera would be considered a suborder.

Neuroptera (ant lions, lacewings, mantidflies)

Greek "neuron" = nerve and "ptera" = wingsSpot ID• four membranous net-

veined wings• forewings and

hindwings about the same size

Neuroptera (ant lions, lacewings, mantidflies)

Greek "neuron" = nerve and "ptera" = wingsSpot ID• Larvae have elongated

mandibles adapted for piercing and sucking

• Oliver the Owlfly larva is an example

• Antlion larvae (doodlebugs)

Thysanoptera (thrips)Greek "thysano-" = fringed, “ptera" = wing

• Very small insects with a range of 1/32 to 1/8 inch in length

• Feed on plants, considered crop pest