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Insect Taxonomic Diversity BY SUSAN BUTTS EPHEMEROPTERA ODONATA BLATTARIA ISOPTERA DERMAPTERA ORTHOPTERA PHASMIDA HEMIPTERA COLEOPTERA LEPIDOPTERA DIPTERA SIPHONAPTERA HYMENOPTERA MANTODEA PLECOPTERA EPHEMEROPTERA (damselflies) damselflies are small to medium sized insects with an average wingspan up to 15 millimeters. Mayflies can be recognized by the following characteristics: 2 pair of membranous wings, Hind wings much smaller than the forewings, Short, fine antennae, Mandibulate mouthparts, Tip of abdomen usually with 3 very long filamentous cerci ODONATA (mayflies & dragonflies) 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). BLATTARIA (cockroach) The general form of cockroaches varies little, however their size can range from only a couple of millimeters in length up to 70 millimeters All cockroaches have the following characteristics: Oval and flattened body shape, Thorax covered by a large plate (the pronotum), which extends partly over the head, Chewing (mandibulate) mouthparts, Compound eyes and 2 simple ocelli-like spots, 2 pairs of membranous wings when present. Forewings are more sclerotized than hind wings. Wings are folded left over right when at rest, Prominent cerci, Long antennae. ISOPTERA (termites) Immatures (Workers & Soldiers) •Body pale in color, somewhat ant-like in appearance but with a broader junction between thorax and abdomen •Compound eyes small or absent •Head large and cylindrical or small and round •Antennae beaded •Mouthparts chewing; sometimes with large mandibles Adults (Reproductives) •Body may be darkly pigmented •Head well-developed, with chewing mouthparts and beaded antennae •Compound eyes present •Two pairs of membranous wings, all similar in shape and size; wings are shed after mating DERMAPTERA (earwig) Adults: Antennae slender, beaded Mouthparts mandibulate, prognathous Tarsi 3-segmented Front wings short and leathery Hind wings semicircular and pleated Cerci enlarged to form pincers (forceps) Immatures: Structurally similar to adults Developing wingpads may be visible on thorax ORTHOPTERA (Grasshoppers, crickets, katydids and locusts) 2 pairs of wings. The forewings are narrower than the hind wings and hardened or leathery at the base. They are held roof-like overlapping the abdomen at rest. The hind wing is membranous and held folded fan-like under the forewings when at rest Mandibulate mouthparts Large compound eyes Antennae may be short to very long depending on the species. Grasshoppers have relatively short antennae while crickets and katydids generally have long antennae Hind legs are enlarged and modified for jumping PHASMIDA (stick and leaf insects) Body shape variable but most are elongate and cylindrical or flattened and resemble sticks, leaves or grass 2 pairs of wings although some species are wingless Wings when present consist of short, hardened forewings which form a protective cover over part of the larger membranous hind wings Antennae are filiform and may be either short or long Phasmid nymphs usually resemble adults but lack wings HEMIPTERA (Cicadas True Bugs ) Adults: Antennae slender with 4-5 segments Proboscis 3-4 segmented, arising from front of head and curving below body when not in use Pronotum usually large, trapezoidal or rounded Triangular scutellum present behind pronotum Front wings with basal half leathery and apical half membranous (hemelytra). Wings lie flat on the back at rest, forming an "X". Tarsi 2- or 3-segmented Immatures: Structurally similar to adults Always lacking wings COLEOPTERA (beetles and weevils) Beetles come in a variety of shapes and colors and can range from 0.4 to about 80 millimeters in length. 2 pairs of wings. Forewings hardened, hind wings membranous Mandibulate mouthparts which are designed for biting and chewing Antennae present in a variety of forms Compound eyes in a variety of sizes and shape LEPIDOPTERA (butterflies and moths) Immatures Adults •Eruciform (caterpillar-like) •Head capsule welldeveloped, with chewing mouthparts •Abdomen with up to 5 pairs of prolegs •Mouthparts form a coiled tube (proboscis) beneath the head •Antennal type: • Butterflies: knobbed or hooked at tip • Moths: thread-like, spindle-shaped, or comb-like •Front wings large, triangular; hind wings large, fan-shaped •Body and wings covered with small, overlapping scales DIPTERA (mosquitoes and flies) One pair of membranous wings Hind wings are reduced to small club like structures called halteres. The halteres are used as stabilisers during flight Sucking mouthparts, sometimes adapted for piercing e.g. mosquitoes large compound eyes short simple antennae, frilled or bushy in mosquitoes and crane flies SIPHONAPTERA (fleas) Fleas are small, wingless insects ranging in size from approximately 110 millimeters in length depending on the species. Laterally compressed bodies Piercing-sucking mouthparts Enlarged hind legs adapted for jumping Strong tarsal claws adapted for holding onto their hosts Backward pointing hairs and bristles for ease of movement through the hair of a host Small antennae which tuck away into special groves in the head HYMENOPTERA (ants, bees and wasps) •Two pairs of membranous wings, although some may be wingless such as some species of female wasps and the worker caste of ants • The forewings are larger than the hind wings and are held together by small hooks (see below) • Females usually have a hardened ovipositor, which may be modified for sawing, piercing or stinging • Most hymenopterans have a constriction between the first 2 segments of the abdomen, which is known as a 'wasp waist' • Chewing (mandibulate) mouthparts, although in some species such as bees the lower lip is modified to form a tongue •Compound eyes, usually large MANTODEA (Mantids / Praying Mantids) Adults: Filiform antennae Head triangular with well-developed compound eyes Mouthparts mandibulate, hypognathous Prothorax elongate with large, spiny front legs adapted for catching prey Front wings thickened, more slender than hind wings Tarsi 5-segmented Cerci short, multi-segmented Immatures: Structurally similar to adults Developing wingpads often visible on thorax PLECOPTERA (stoneflies) Stoneflies are soft-bodied insects that can grow up to 50 millimetres long with a wingspan of 100 millimetres •Elongated, flattened, soft body •2 pairs of membranous wings that are held curved around the body at rest. Some species are wingless while others have reduced wings • Hind wings slightly wider than forewings •Long legs •Mandibulate mouthparts •2 cerci at tip of abdomen