neoptera = exopterygotes and endopterygota plecoptera ... · strepsiptera = twisted-winged insects...

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NEOPTERA = exopterygotes and Endopterygota

= “outside” and“inside” wings

Plecoptera = Stoneflies(plectos = pleated; pteron = a wing)

• Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous• Key features:

– Wings fold over back =Neoptera– Aquatic larvae– Often used as bio-indicators

for stream pollution

Blattodea = Cockroaches

(blatta = cockroach)• Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous• Key features:

– Flattened body– Front wings toughened as

protective cover hind wings– Eggs often laid in toughened

ootheca– Only about 40 species (1%) of

cockroach are considered pests.

Isoptera = Termites(iso = equal, like; pteron = a wing)


– Social insects with different castes

– Symbionts convert wood etc to nutrients

Orthoptera = grasshoppers, crickets,

katydids(orthos = straight; pteron = a wing)

• Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous• Known species = 20,000• Key features:

– Hind legs for jumping– Sound production using hind legs or

front wings

Orthoptera = grasshoppers, crickets, katydids

(orthos = straight; pteron = a wing)

• Swarms of the migratory grasshoppers can number in the billions, causing severe crop damage along the way.

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Mantodea = Mantids(mantis = diviner, prophet)


– Mobile triangular head– Raptorial front legs– Eggs laid in papery, foam-like egg

cases (ootheca)

Phasmatodea = stick and leaf insects

(phasma = apparition, spectre)• Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous• Key features:

– Slow-moving, herbivorous– Leaf-like or stick-like body– Eggs often ant-dispersed

Dermaptera = Earwigs(dermatos = skin; pteron = a wing)


– Forceps-like cerci, male combat– Leathery front wings– Semicircular hind wings– Maternal care common

♀

♂

Embioptera = web spinners(embios = lively; pteron = a wing)


– Gregarious in silk galleries– Swollen first tarsal segment

containing silk glands– Females wingless, males

winged– Escape behavior is to move

backward

alternate: Embiidina

Hemiptera = bugs, aphids, hoppers

(hemi = half; pteron = a wing)

• Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous• Known species = 82,000 • Key features:

– Fifth largest order– Mouthparts forming a

sucking/piercing beak or rostrum– Stink glands and sound

producing organs sometimes present

Hemiptera, 3 suborders

1. Heteroptera = true bugs

2. Auchenorrhyncha = the hoppers

3. Sternorrhyncha = plant lice, whiteflies, aphids, scale insects

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• Hemipterans of note:– Oncopeltus fasciatus

(milkweed bug)– Kerria lacca (lac

insect)– Magicicada spp.

(Periodic cicadas)– Dactylopius coccus

(cochineal insect)– Cimex lectularius

(bed bug)– Triatoma infestans

(Kissing bug)– Many others...

Phthiraptera = Parasitic lice(phtheiros = louse;

a+pteron = wingless)• Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous• Key features:

– Small, wingless ectoparasites living permanently on vertebrate hosts

– Legs modified for clinging

Psocoptera = barklice and booklice

(psokos = gnawed; pteron = a wing)


– Common on trees, vegetation, and litter

– Parthenogenesis (females give rise to females) is common

Thysanoptera = Thrips(thysanos = fringed; pteron = a wing)

• Metamorphosis = hemimetabolous

• Key features:– Mainly liquid feeders– Hair-fringed wings– Some species have

maternal care, social behaviors

The EndopterygotaNeuroptera =

Lacewings & antlions

• Metamorphosis = holometabolous

• Key features:– Prominent eyes– Wing venation complex

and net-like

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MegalopteraAlderflies & Dobsonflies


• Key features:– Aquatic larva– Adults do not feed– Male mandibles used for

combat

Raphidioptera -Snakeflies


• Elongated pronotum• Ovipositor (females

only)

Coleoptera = Beetles(koleos = sheath; pteron = a

wing)• Metamorphosis =

holometabolous• Known species = 370,000

(37.0% of all insect species)• Key features:

– Front wings modified as rigid elytra covering hind wings

– Pronotum large and distinct

Coleoptera

• Four suborders1. Archostemata (3 primitive families)2. Myxophaga (aquatic or associated with

water)

3. Adephaga (terrestrial and aquatic; mostly predacious)

4. Polyphaga (variable; some 149 families)

Strepsiptera = Twisted-winged insects(streptos = twisted; pteron = wing)

• Metamorphosis = holometabolous• Key features:

– Endoparasites of insects– Sexually dimorphic– Adult females typically neotenous

(retaining immature features) = no eyes, legs, wings, external genitalia

– Phylogenetic placement under debate (either with Coleoptera or Diptera) ♀

♂Diptera = Flies, mosquitoes

(di = two; pteron = wing)

• Metamorphosis = holometabolous• Known species = 122,000 (12.2%)• Key features:

– One pair of functional wings– Halteres (balancing organs)

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Diptera = Flies, mosquitoes(di = two; pteron = a wing)

• Two diverse suborders– Nematocera & Brachycera

• Some families parasitic• Dipterans of note:

– Phaenicia sericata – green blow fly (medical use)

– Aedes aegypti (dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis)

– Culex spp. (Many diseases)– Glossina spp. – tsetse fly (Sleeping

sickness)– Anopholes gambia (Malaria): the

deadliest insect...– Drosophila melanogaster (model

organism)

Mecoptera = Scorpionflies(mekos = long; pteron = a wing)


• Key features:– Distinctive elongated face– Mostly in damp wooded areas– Males present females with

nuptial gifts

Siphonaptera = Fleas(siphon = pipe, tube; a+pteron = wingless)


• Key features:– Small, wingless

ectoparasites on mammals and birds

– Adults are blood feeders– Characteristic jumping

ability

Trichoptera = Caddisflies(trichos = hair; pteron = a wing)


• Key features:– Aquatic larvae, typically in

self-constructed cases or shelters, or nets

– Nocturnal and moth-like– Weakly developed

mouthparts (nectar feeding)– Used as a bio-indicator for

stream pollution

Lepidoptera = Butterflies, moths(lepidos = scale; pteron = a wing)

• Metamorphosis = holometabolous• Distribution = worldwide• Known species = 165,000 (16.5%)• Key features:

– Entire body and wings covered with overlapping tiny scales

– Usually have sucking mouthparts

Lepidoptera

Lepidoptera of note:– Manduca sexta (tobacco

hornworm) – popular experimental animal

– Lymantria dispar (Gypsy moth) and many pests (Clover Cutworm, Soybean Looper, Corn Earworm, Alfalfa Looper, Celery Looper, Tobacco budworm, Wheat armyworm, Lawn armyworm, etc.)

– Many gorgeous creatures

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Hymenoptera = Bees, wasps, ants(hymen = membrane; pteron = a wing)

• Metamorphosis = holometabolous• Key features:

– Second largest order: Abundant and ubiquitous

– Body usually with constricted waist– Some species are social– Ovipositor may be modified as a

stinger

Hymenoptera

• Two suborders– Symphyta

(sawflies),– Apocrita

(parasitoid group, stinging group .

Insecta includes 3 divisions: Archaeognatha, Thysanura, Pterygota

(mandible articulation, wings +/-)

Pterygota comprised of 3 divisions: Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Neoptera

(wing folding)

Neoptera divided into two basic groups; “exopterygote” orders and Endopterygota

(where wings develop)

neoptera = exopterygotes and endopterygota plecoptera ... · strepsiptera = twisted-winged insects...

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