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Hexapoda Six-legged 30 million species (Triplehorn & Johnson) All habitats 31 orders (30 in N.A.) Typically classified by wing characteristics –Ptera Metamorphosis –Complete (egg, larva, pupa, adult) –Incomplete (egg, nymph/naiad, adult)

Ephemeroptera Mayflies Soft-bodied 2 or 3 long, threadlike tails Large, triangular front wings with small, rounded hind wings Small, bristle-like antennae Live one to two years in water in nymph stage and one to two days in adult stage

Orthoptera Plant feeders- pests to cultivated pests Elongated body-may or may not be winged 2 pairs of wings Forewing (tegmina), Hind wing larger & membranous Larger hind legs

Orthoptera Mandibulate Metamorphosis is simple Some of the best known insect singers Grasshoppers & Crickets (cockroaches previously)

Blattodea Shares many features of grasshoppers & crickets Oldest winged insect Flattened oval bodies Long, swept back antennae Have wings Females lay egg packets Simple metamorphosis Flourish anywhere there is sufficient food & warmth

Hemiptera – “True Bugs” 2 pair of wings, –front wing is thick and leathery, tips are membranous; –hind wings are membranous Visible triangle called scutellum Sucking and piercing mouthpart Incomplete metamorphosis Terrestrial and aquatic habitats Reduvidae - transmit Chagas Disease

Homoptera Includes: Cicadas, Hoppers (tree and leaf), Spittlebugs, Whiteflies, and Aphids There are approximately 45,000 species worldwide – 6,000 of which are in N. America They are all plant feeders Metamorphosis is simple in homopterans

Homoptera Methods of reproduction: –Sexually: Male and Female mate (Cicadas and Leafhoppers) –Parthenogenetically: All Female, no mating Aphids produce many billions in lifetime Characteristics: –Have sucking, beaklike mouthparts that arise far back beneath the head –Wings are uniformly membranous

Neuroptera Order name means “nerve wings” due to the net of crisscrossing veins Beneficial because they help control destructive insects Have many veins in 4 transparent wings and an especially wide border of cross veins on the front margin of the forewings There are about 4,500 species worldwide, and 338 in N. America

Neuroptera Includes: Lacewings, Mantidflies, Antlions, and Spongillaflies Characteristics: –They all have 2 pairs of wings – similar in size and have elongate oval shape –When at rest, the wings are held “rooflike” over the body. In use, they beat in a poorly coordinated fashion –Their mouthparts are adapted for chewing –Antennae may be threadlike, clubbed or toothed (like a comb) –Most species have large compound eyes

Neuroptera Neuroptera go through complete metamorphosis: –Larvae do not resemble the adults –Most larvae are predators –All larvae have large, sickle-shaped mandibles that are used to seize and eat smaller insects or sponges –Pupation occurs in silken cocoons spun in sand or soil

Coleoptera Common Name: Beetles Largest Order of Insects Elytra – armor-like forewings cover flight wings Segmented legs and antennae Chewing mouthparts with well developed mandibles (jaws) Simple brain with many sense organs

Diptera Identification –One pair of membranous wings –Vestigial second pair of wings (halteres) –Large compound eyes –Most have sucking mouth parts Complete metamorphosis –Aquatic and terrestrial larva maggots

Diptera Diverse group – inhabiting numerous niches Importance –Important food source for many animals –Parasites –Vectors for disease Malaria, African Sleeping Sickness, West Nile, River blindness

Lepidoptera

Moths and Butterflies Complete metamorphosis –Egg –Larvae (Caterpillar)- destructive –Pupa (adult)- cocoon or chrysalis –Adult Chewing mouthparts in caterpillar and sucking, coiled mouthparts in the adult Scales on the wings

Lepidoptera Moths No clubs on antennae Appear more at night Feathery antennae that pick up pheromones released by female Butterflies 120,000 Species Clubbed antennae Appear more in the day Slimmer bodies, more colors

Tricoptera Caddisfly “hair wings” Resemble moths –No proboscis, instead have pronounced palps –Very long antennae –Most have no scales on wings –Aquatic larvae, instead of terrestrial caterpillars Make case of leaves, twigs, sand grains Pupae emerge, swim to shore, then adult emerges

Odonata Dragonflies and Damselflies Small antennae Long legs- not suitable for walking Chewing mouthparts Nymphs are aquatic, adults are found near water Highly predaceous on flying insects

Hymenoptera Made up of sawflies, wasps, ants and bees Probably most beneficial of entire insect class. Contains parasites, predators and most importantly, pollinators (bees) Great diversity of habits and behaviors. Most are in social organizations (wasps, bees and ants)

Hymenoptera Ovipositor is tube used to lay eggs. In most Hymenoptera have a modified ovipositor; a sting Only females can sting The sex of Hymenoptera is determined by fertilization.

Hymenoptera Interesting Fact: *Bees die when they sting because they have barbs on their stingers that restrict the stinger from leaving the skin; therefore, when the bee flies away she is literally pulling her guts out. *The queen’s stinger has no barbs so she is able to sting and not die.

Isoptera –Termites –“same wing” –Commonly called “white ants” WRONG! Hind wings are the same size as forewings Soft, light-colored body No petiole Antennae are not elbowed Sterile casts are females only from fertilized eggs –Caste system Reproductives Workers Soldiers