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

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

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies)

Greek “odon” = tooth (referring to teeth on their mandibles)

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies)

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies)

Spot ID• Long slender wings

Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies)

Spot ID• Long slender wings• Long thin body

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

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets)

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets)

Spot ID• Jumping hind legs

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets)

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

end

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” = wingSpot ID

• A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts

Hemiptera (bugs, hoppers, aphids, scales, cicadas)

Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wingSpot 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”= wingSpot 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)

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

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