NEOPTERA = exopterygotes and Endopterygota = outside and inside wings
Plecoptera = Stoneflies (plectos = pleated; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Wings fold over back =Neoptera Aquatic larvae Often used as bio-indicators for stream pollution
Blattodea = Cockroaches (blatta = cockroach) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Flattened body Front wings toughened as protective cover hind wings Eggs often laid in toughened ootheca Only about 40 species (1%) of cockroach are considered pests.
Isoptera = Termites (iso = equal, like; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Social insects with different castes Symbionts convert wood etc to nutrients
Orthoptera = grasshoppers, crickets, katydids (orthos = straight; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Known species = 20,000 Hind legs for jumping Sound production using hind legs or front wings
Orthoptera = grasshoppers, crickets, katydids (orthos = straight; pteron = a wing) Swarms of the migratory grasshoppers can number in the billions, causing severe crop damage along the way.
Mantodea = Mantids (mantis = diviner, prophet) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Mobile triangular head Raptorial front legs Eggs laid in papery, foam-like egg cases (ootheca)
Phasmatodea = stick and leaf insects (phasma = apparition, spectre) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Slow-moving, herbivorous Leaf-like or stick-like body Eggs often ant-dispersed
Dermaptera = Earwigs (dermatos = skin; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Forceps-like cerci, male combat Leathery front wings Semicircular hind wings Maternal care common
Embioptera = web spinners (embios = lively; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Gregarious in silk galleries Swollen first tarsal segment containing silk glands Females wingless, males winged Escape behavior is to move backward alternate: Embiidina
Hemiptera = bugs, aphids, hoppers (hemi = half; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Known species = 82,000 Fifth largest order Mouthparts forming a sucking/piercing beak or rostrum Stink glands and sound producing organs sometimes present
Hemiptera, 3 suborders 1. Heteroptera = true bugs 2. Auchenorrhyncha = the hoppers 3. Sternorrhyncha = plant lice, whiteflies, aphids, scale insects
Hemipterans of note: Oncopeltus fasciatus (milkweed bug) Kerria lacca (lac insect) Magicicada spp. (Periodic cicadas) Dactylopius coccus (cochineal insect) Cimex lectularius (bed bug) Triatoma infestans (Kissing bug) Many others...
Phthiraptera = Parasitic lice (phtheiros = louse; a+pteron = wingless) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Small, wingless ectoparasites living permanently on vertebrate hosts Legs modified for clinging
Psocoptera = barklice and booklice (psokos = gnawed; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Common on trees, vegetation, and litter Parthenogenesis (females give rise to females) is common
Thysanoptera = Thrips (thysanos = fringed; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous Mainly liquid feeders Hair-fringed wings Some species have maternal care, social behaviors
The Endopterygota
Neuroptera = Lacewings & antlions Metamorphosis = holometabolous Prominent eyes Wing venation complex and net-like
Megaloptera Alderflies & Dobsonflies Metamorphosis = holometabolous Aquatic larva Adults do not feed Male mandibles used for combat
Raphidioptera -Snakeflies Metamorphosis = holometabolous Elongated pronotum Ovipositor (females only)
Coleoptera = Beetles (koleos = sheath; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = holometabolous Known species = 370,000 (37.0% of all insect species) Front wings modified as rigid elytra covering hind wings Pronotum large and distinct
Coleoptera Four suborders 1. Archostemata (3 primitive families) 2. Myxophaga (aquatic or associated with water) 3. Adephaga (terrestrial and aquatic; mostly predacious) 4. Polyphaga (variable; some 149 families)
Strepsiptera = Twisted-winged insects (streptos = twisted; pteron = wing) Metamorphosis = holometabolous Endoparasites of insects Sexually dimorphic Adult females typically neotenous (retaining immature features) = no eyes, legs, wings, external genitalia Phylogenetic placement under debate (either with Coleoptera or Diptera)
Diptera = Flies, mosquitoes (di = two; pteron = wing) Metamorphosis = holometabolous Known species = 122,000 (12.2%) One pair of functional wings Halteres (balancing organs)
Diptera = Flies, mosquitoes (di = two; pteron = a wing) Two diverse suborders Nematocera & Brachycera Some families parasitic Dipterans of note: Phaenicia sericata green blow fly (medical use) Aedes aegypti (dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis) Culex spp. (Many diseases) Glossina spp. tsetse fly (Sleeping sickness) Anopholes gambia (Malaria): the deadliest insect... Drosophila melanogaster (model organism)
Mecoptera = Scorpionflies (mekos = long; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = holometabolous Distinctive elongated face Mostly in damp wooded areas Males present females with nuptial gifts
Siphonaptera = Fleas (siphon = pipe, tube; a+pteron = wingless) Metamorphosis = holometabolous Small, wingless ectoparasites on mammals and birds Adults are blood feeders Characteristic jumping ability
Trichoptera = Caddisflies (trichos = hair; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = holometabolous Aquatic larvae, typically in self-constructed cases or shelters, or nets Nocturnal and moth-like Weakly developed mouthparts (nectar feeding) Used as a bio-indicator for stream pollution
Lepidoptera = Butterflies, moths (lepidos = scale; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = holometabolous Distribution = worldwide Known species = 165,000 (16.5%) Entire body and wings covered with overlapping tiny scales Usually have sucking mouthparts
Lepidoptera Lepidoptera of note: Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm) popular experimental animal Lymantria dispar (Gypsy moth) and many pests (Clover Cutworm, Soybean Looper, Corn Earworm, Alfalfa Looper, Celery Looper, Tobacco budworm, Wheat armyworm, Lawn armyworm, etc.) Many gorgeous creatures
Hymenoptera = Bees, wasps, ants (hymen = membrane; pteron = a wing) Metamorphosis = holometabolous Second largest order: Abundant and ubiquitous Body usually with constricted waist Some species are social Ovipositor may be modified as a stinger
Hymenoptera Two suborders Symphyta (sawflies), Apocrita (parasitoid group, stinging group.
Insecta includes 3 divisions: Archaeognatha, Thysanura, Pterygota (mandible articulation, wings +/-) Pterygota comprised of 3 divisions: Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Neoptera (wing folding) Neoptera divided into two basic groups; exopterygote orders and Endopterygota (where wings develop)