Insect Orders and Identification Quiz

Insect Orders

• Classification groups individual objects (e.g., insects) by relationships.
• Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms.
• Systematics describes the relationships between organisms.
• A key helps identify unknown organisms.

Insect Dichotomous Key

• A dichotomous key uses a series of paired choices to identify an insect.
• The key examines insect characteristics like wings, wing shape, body type and antennae, etc
• The key guides the user to the correct insect order.

Importance of Insect Identification

• Knowing the insect's name is needed to formulate pest control plans.
• The insect's name provides information about its life cycle, habits, natural enemies, reproduction, and control strategies.
• A species is the fundamental unit of classification and the smallest grouping capable of reproductive.

Morphological Characteristics

• Morphological characteristics are used to distinguish different insect orders.
• These characteristics include head, mouthparts, antennae, compound eyes, legs, wings, and abdomen.

Two Groups in Taxonomy

• Lumpers group related insects into one order.
• Example: Phthiraptera (lice), Mallophaga(chewing lice), Anoplura (sucking lice).
• Splitters divide orders into smaller, more specific groups.
• Example: Mantodea (mantis), Blattodea (cockroaches), Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc.).

Classification of a Specific Insect

• Example: Rhinoceros beetle: Kingdom Animalia; Phylum Arthropoda; Class Insecta; Order Coleoptera; Family Scarabaeidae; Genus Oryctes; Species rhinoceros.

Class Insecta

• Subclass: Apterygota (wingless insects) and Pterygota (winged insects).
• Pterygota is subdivided into Exopterygota (external wings) and Endopterygota (internal wings).

Hexapods Phylogeny

• Shows the evolutionary relationships among insect groups.
• Shows the different classes, subphylums, and orders branched from other insects.

Class Insecta Phylogeny

• Classification and characteristics of different insect groups according to evolutionary origins.
• Includes Apterygota (wingless insects) and Pterygota (winged insects).

Neoptera Phylogeny

• Classification of insects within the Neoptera group, showing the evolutionary relationships and characteristics.
• Contains various insect orders, such as Hemipteroids, Endopterygota etc.

Hemipteroids Phylogeny

• Classification of insect subgroups within Hemipteroids, showing branched evolutionary relationships and distinctions.

Endopterygota Phylogeny

• Classification of insect subgroups within Endopterygota, showing evolutionary relationships and distinctions.

Apterygota: Order Zygentoma

• Old name: Thysanura.
• Characterized by cerci and feelers, rapid movement, and cellulose degradation.
• Economically important as pests, damaging household goods, preferring algae and starchy plant matter.

Pterygota: Palaeoptera

Order Ephemeroptera

• Derived from “ephemera” – short-lived and “ptera” – wings.
• Short lifespan of adult mayflies (example given)
• Beneficial for ecosystem as food to fish.

Pterygota: Palaeoptera

Order Odonata

• Ionic form of “odón” - tooth.
• Distinguished by large compound eyes, and as predators in the wild.
• Examples include damselflies and dragonflies.
• Also a source of food to larger predators

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Phasmatodea

• Insects having a phantom-like cryptic appearance and behavior.
• Includes long, slender antennae, prognathous mouthparts, and reduced/absent wings.
• Camouflage skills (crypsis) as a defense mechanism.

Economic Importance of Insects in Various Orders

• Some insects (e.g., in the Phasmatodea order) are defoliators and cause economic losses in their area.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Orthoptera

• “Orth” meaning straight and “ptera” meaning wing.
• Characterized by the forewing being a parchment-like tegmin, and hind wing being membranous.
• Contains close relatives to grasshoppers and locusts.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Blattodea

• Derived from "blatta", meaning cockroach.
• Front wings known as “tegmina” - thickened, while hind wings are membranous.
• The order includes American, German, and Oriental cockroaches.
• Their economic and pest status is detailed.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Mantodea

• The only insect that can turn its head from side to side.
• Characterized by large, spiny front legs (raptatorial) that are adaptations for catching prey.
• Economic Importance: predatory on detrimental insects.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Dermaptera

• Features tegmen-like forewings, folded to appear small.
• The characteristic cerci (forcep-like) located on the abdomen.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Phthiraptera

• Derived from Greek, "phthir meaning lice and "aptera" - wingless.
• These are permanent, obligate ectoparasites of birds and mammals.
• Suborders of lice are described in detail to identify the species.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Thysanoptera

• Derived from "thysanos"-fringe and "pteron"-wing.
• Smallest winged insects, and characterized by two pairs of fringed wings.
• Contains rasping-sucking mouthparts.
• Economically important as pests to crops, fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Hemiptera

• Features sucking and piercing mouthparts known as “rostrum.”
• Includes shield bugs, true bugs, cicadas, plant hoppers, aphids, whiteflies and scale insects.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Neuroptera

• Net-winged insects with two pairs of wings, and extensive branching of venation.
• All types are predators.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Coleoptera

• "koleos" meaning sheath and "pteron" meaning wing.
• Includes a large number of insect species.
• Forewings (Elytra) are hardened.
• Larvae are referred to as grubs

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Diptera

• Derived from "diplo" or "di" meaning two; characterized by 2 membranous wings and halteres.
• Strong fliers, with some being predators.
• Includes a variety of pests (e.g., fruit flies, leaf miners, stem flies).
• Some are well-known disease transmitters.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Siphonaptera

• Derived from "siphon."
• The order includes only wingless insects.
• Mouthparts are haustellate, and include large bristles on heads and thoraxes.
• Hind legs are enlarged for jumping and include species like oriental rat fleas, female cat fleas, and dog fleas.
• Ectoparasites of mammals and transmit diseases.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Lepidoptera

• Derived from "lepidos" meaning scales.
• Some varieties having nocturnal and diurnal behavior.
• Includes butterflies and moths.

Pterygota: Neoptera

Order Hymenoptera

• Derived from "hymeno" or "hymen" meaning membrane.
• Includes four membranous wings.
• Order is the most beneficial insect group, including sawflies, gall wasps, bees, and ants.

Test your knowledge of insect orders and identification techniques with this quiz. Learn about classification, taxonomy, and the importance of identifying insects through morphological characteristics and dichotomous keys. Perfect for students interested in entomology and biology.