Download Insects Taxonomic

INSECTS
TAXONOMIC
BY : RAVEN RUSSELL
INSECTS ORDERS
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Ephemeroptera
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Odonata
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Blattara
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Isoptera
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Dermatptera
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Orthroptera
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Phasmida
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Hemiptera
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Coleoptera
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Lepidoptera
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Diptera
Siphonotera
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Hymenoptera
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Mantodea
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Plecoptera
EPHEMEROPTERA
Ephemeroptera is a group of 2,000 insect species commonly known as
mayflies. They are considered to be part of the clade Uniramia which
includes silverfish and dragonflies, among others. Ephemeroptera and
Odonata are the only extant orders of winged insects in the infraclass
Paleoptera. All other insects with wings are in the Neoptera, and are
characterized by a wing articulation (joint) that allows them to fold their
wings back over their abdomens at rest (Carpenter, 1992).
Ephemeroptera are aquatic insects that often go through
many nymph stages (living in water) and two flying stages (the subimago
and the imago). They are the only insects to have two flying stages, and
can be recognized by their three caudal filaments (tails) at the tip of the
abdomen, and a single claw on each leg. This differentiates them from
the closely related stoneflies which have two tarsal claws. The flying
stages are characterized by relatively large forewings, which are usually
kept upright, and reduced or nonexistent hind wings.
ODONATA
Both dragonflies and damselflies belong to the Odonata, which is a subgroup
of insects, which in turn is a group of uniramian arthropods. Many
characteristics distinguish Odonata from other groups of insects -- minute
antennae, extremely large eyes (filling most of the head), two pairs of
transparent membranous wings with many small veins, a long slender
abdomen, an aquatic larval stage (nymph) with posterior tracheal gills, and a
prehensile labium (extendible jaws underneath the head). Among living
Odonata, there are twenty-five families, mostly dragonflies and damselflies.
Of all their characteristics, the easiest way to tell a dragonfly or damselfly
from other insects is by the size of the eyes and shape of the abdomen. If the
eyes are very large in proportion to the head and the abdomen is long and
thin, then it is almost sure to be in Odonata.
While both dragonflies and damselflies belong to the Odonata and share many
common features, then are a number of noticeable differences as well. Even before
hatching from the egg, differences in morphology of the egg distinguish dragonflies
(Anisoptera) from damselflies (Zygoptera). Dragonfly eggs are round and about 0.5
mm long, whereas damselfly eggs are cylindrical and longer, about 1 mm long.
Similarly, the nymphs (larvae) of the two groups differ. A larval damselfly abdomen is
longer and narrower with three fin-like gills projecting from the end. Dragonfly nymphs
are shorter and bulkier, and the gills are located inside the abdomen. The dragonfly
nymph expands and contracts its abdomen to move water over its gills, and can
squeeze the water out rapidly for a short burst of underwater jet propulsion.
BLATTARIA
The cockroach, also known as the roach, is found worldwide in every environment and
every habitat with the exception of water. The cockroach is one of the most commonly
known pests to humans of the insects world but plays a vital role in the ecosystem
ingesting decomposing materials.
The cockroach is an omnivorous animals and feeds on decaying matter and therefore is often associated with
things being dirty (you would not be happy to find them in a restaurant for example). Most cockroach species are
nocturnal with the exception of the oriental cockroach, which is attracted to light. Cockroaches generally only eat
organic matter but some have been known to even eat substances such as mouldy wallpaper paste
ISOPTERA
Termites are a group of eusocial insects that, until recently, were
classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera, but are now
accepted as the infraorder Isoptera, of the cockroach order
Blattodea
DERMATPTERA
Earwigs are a distinctive group of insects of small to medium size,
ranging from 5 to 50 millimetres in length. Earwigs are sometimes
confused with Staphylinid beetles, but can be distinguished from the
latter by the presence of pincer-like cerci, which Staphylinid beetles
lack. Earwigs are mostly dark coloured (brown to black) and can be
recognized by the following features:
Earwigs mate end to end, often grasping each other's pincers, Female earwigs are able to
store sperm for several months before fertilisation. A female will lay hers eggs in a burrow
she has excavated or in natural crevices in the soil, where she will stand guard
protectively until the young hatch. The female guards the eggs from predators and
constantly turns and cleans them, preventing fungus diseases. Upon hatching the young
earwigs resemble small adults and remain under the protection of their mother for a short
period of time. They must then disperse to new areas or risk being eaten by her.
ORTHOPTERA
Orthoptera is an order of insects with paurometabolous or
incomplete metamorphosis, including the grasshoppers,
crickets, cave crickets, Jerusalem crickets, katydids,
weta, lubber, Acrida, and locusts
The oldest fossil orthopterans are Pennsylvanian in age; that is, about 300 million
years old. The fossil grasshopper shown at the right of the page is much younger,
only a few tens of thousands of years old; it is from the McKittrick Asphalt of
southern California, a fossil-bearing tar deposit (very much like the famous La Brea
tar pits in Los Angeles). Today, there are about 80,000 species of orthopterans.
Some, like the swarming locusts, are serious pests and destroyers of vegetation.
Others, we are told, are remarkably tasty and nutritious when properly prepared
PHASMIDA
The Phasmatodea are an order of insects,
whose members are variously known as stick
insects, walking sticks or stick-bugs, phasmids,
ghost insects and leaf insects.
HEMIPTERA
Hemiptera is an order of insects most often known as the
true bugs, comprising around 50,000–80,000 species of
cicadas, aphids, planthoppers, leafhoppers, shield bugs,
and others.
The insects in this order are extremely diverse in their size,
shape and colour. There are about 6000 described species in
Australia, ranging in size from 1 to 110 millimetres in length.
The name Hemiptera means 'half wing' and all hemipterans
COLEOPETERA
The Coleoptera order of insects is commonly called beetles. The word
"coleoptera" is from the Greek κολεός, koleos, meaning "sheath"; and
πτερόν, pteron, meaning "wing", thus "sheathed wing", because most
beetles have two pairs of wings
Coleoptera (beetles and weevils) is the largest order in the class Insecta. As adults,
most beetles have a hard, dense exoskeleton that covers and protects most of their
body surface. The front wings, known as elytra, are just as hard as the rest of the
exoskeleton. They fold down over the abdomen and serve as protective covers for
the large, membranous hind wings. At rest, both elytra meet along the middle of the
back, forming a straight line that is probably the most distinctive characteristics of
the order. During flight, the elytra are held out to the sides of the body where they
provide a certain amount of aerodynamic stability
LEPIDOPTERA
Lepidoptera (/ˌlɛpɨˈdɒptərə/ lep-i-DOP-tər-ə) is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies (both called
lepidopterans). It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world,[1] encompassing moths and
the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies. The term was coined by Linnaeus in 1735 and is
derived from Ancient Greek λεπίδος (scale) and πτερόν (wing).[2] Comprising an estimated 174,250 species,[3] in 126 families[4]
and 46 superfamilies,[3] the Lepidoptera show many variations of the basic body structure that have evolved to gain advantages
in lifestyle and distribution. Recent estimates suggest that the order may have more species than earlier thought,[5] and is
among the four most speciose orders, along with the Hymenoptera, Diptera, and the Coleoptera.[1]
DIPTERA
True flies are insects of the order Diptera. Their most
obvious distinction from other orders of insects is that a
typical fly possesses a pair of flight wings on the
mesothorax and a pair of halters.
SIPHONOTERA
Fleas are the insects forming the order Siphonaptera. They are wingless, with mouthparts adapted for
piercing skin and sucking blood. Fleas are external parasites, living by hematophagy off the blood of
mammals and birds
HYMENOPTERA
The Hymenoptera are one of the largest orders of insects, comprising
the sawflies, wasps, bees and ants. Over 150,000 species are
recognized, with many more remaining to be described
MANTODEA
Mantodea is an order of insects that contains over 2,400 species and
about 430 genera in 15 families worldwide in temperate and tropical
habitats. Most of the species are in the family Mantidae.
PLECOPTERA
The Plecoptera are an order of insects, commonly known as stoneflies. Some 3,500 species are described worldwide,[1] with new
species still being discovered. Stoneflies are found worldwide, except Antarctica.[2] Stoneflies are believed to be one of the most
primitive groups of Neoptera, with close relatives identified from the Carboniferous and Lower Permian geological periods, while
true stoneflies are known from fossils only a bit younger. The modern diversity, however, apparently is of Mesozoic origin.[3]
THE END