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 Abdomen Head Thorax

Parts of an insect Abdomen Head Thorax 3 pairs of legs

Parts of an insect Abdomen Head Thorax 3 pairs of legs Wings and legs on thorax 3 pairs of legs

Important areas to study to identify common insect orders Abdomen Head Thorax 3 pairs of legs

Mouthparts: Chewing mandibles mandibles Just a quick overview of what we mean by mouthparts

Mouthparts: Sucking Coiled Piercing Sponging-sucking Just a quick overview of what we mean by mouthparts Sponging-sucking

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 Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids) Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids) Spot ID Jumping hind legs Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids) Spot ID Jumping hind legs Some with ovipositor at hind end Orthodontist – person who straightens teeth.

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) Because they are joined together and the hindwings are often small, it can be difficult to tell whether there are four wings.

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Because they are joined together and the hindwings are often small, it can be difficult to tell whether there are four wings.

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings Because they are joined together and the hindwings are often small, it can be difficult to tell whether there are four wings.

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings Waist often constricted Because they are joined together and the hindwings are often small, it can be difficult to tell whether there are four wings.

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants) Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings Waist often constricted Females with ovipositor or stinger at end of abdomen Because they are joined together and the hindwings are often small, it can be difficult to tell whether there are four wings.

Hemiptera (true bugs, also sometimes called Heteroptera) Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wing

Hemiptera (true bugs) Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wing Spot ID A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts

Hemiptera (true bugs) Greek “hemisys” = half, “ptero” = wing Spot ID A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts Forewings covering hindwings Wing half membrane, half thickened

Homoptera (hoppers, aphids, scales, cicadas) Greek “homo” = uniform, “ptero” = wing Spot ID A beak: piercing-sucking mouthparts Forewings covering hindwings Wings all membranous

Homoptera (hoppers, aphids, scales, cicadas) Greek “homo” = uniform, “ptero” = wing Some 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" = wings Spot ID four membranous net-veined wings forewings and hindwings about the same size

Neuroptera (ant lions, lacewings, mantidflies) Greek "neuron" = nerve and "ptera" = wings Spot 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