INSECT TAXONOMIC DIVERSITYBy: Michael Brown

INSECT ORDERS

Ephemeroptera

Odonata

Blattaria

Isoptera

Dermatptera

Orthoptera

Phasmida

Hemiptera

Coleoptera

Lepidoptera

Diptera

Siphonoptera

Hymenoptera

Mantodea

Plecoptea

EPHEMEROPTERAIn complete egg development (egg, nymph, adult)

Immatures are aquatic (naiads)

Unable to fold wings back

Common in freshwater habitats worldwide

ODONATAWhile 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).

BLATTERIACockroaches leave chemical trails in their feces, as well as emitting airborne pheromones for swarming and mating

ISOPTERAHemimetabola

incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult)

Orthopteroid closely related to Blattodea and Mantodea

Distribution: Extremely common in tropical and subtropical climates.  Generally less abundant in temperate regions.

DERMATPTERAHemimetabola

incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult)

Orthopteroid closely related to Orthoptera and Phasmatodea

Distribution: Common and widely distributed throughout the world.  Largest diversity is found in the tropics and subtropics

ORTHOPTERAFiliform antennae

Hind legs modified for jumping

Front wings thickened and parallel-sided (tegmina

PHASMIDAHemimetabola

incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult)

Orthopteroid closely related to Orthoptera and Dermaptera

Distribution:  Common in tropical and subtropical climates where they are found living on their host plants.

HEMIPTERAHemimetabola

incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult)

Hemipteroid closely related to Thysanoptera and Psocoptera

Distribution: Abundant worldwide.  All species are terrestrial herbivores.

COLEOPTERAThese beetles are the heaviest of all insects, yet they are strong fliers that buzz loudly when visiting flowers for nectar and pollen.   The larvae live in the soil where they feed on roots.

LEPIDOPTERAFront and hind wings with large surface area

Body and wings mostly covered with tiny pigmented scales

DIPTERAOnly one pair of membranous wings present

Hind wings modified as halteres

SIPHONOPTERATeardrop-shaped body bilaterally flattened

Long hind legs adapted for jumping

Heavy bristles (ctenidia) often present on gena and/or pronotum

HYMENOPTERAHolometabola

complete development (egg, larva, pupa, adult)

The Hymenoptera is divided into two suborders:

Symphyta (sawflies and horntails) have a broad junction between thorax and abdomen Apocrita (ants, bees, and wasps) have a narrow junction between the thorax and abdomen.

Distribution: Common worldwide. Third largest order of insects

MANTODEAHemimetabola

incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult)

Orthopteroid closely related to Orthoptera and Blattodea

Distribution: Common in tropical and subtropical climates.

PLECOPTERAHemimetabola

incomplete development (egg, nymph, adult)

Orthopteroid closely related to Orthoptera and Embioptera

Distribution: Common in and around fast-moving streams in temperate and boreal climates.

THE END