Insect Taxonomy and Anatomy Quiz

Insect Taxonomy

• Definition: Insect taxonomy is the science of naming, describing, and classifying insects.

• Hierarchy of Taxonomy:

  1. Domain: Eukarya
  2. Kingdom: Animalia
  3. Phylum: Arthropoda
  4. Class: Insecta (or Hexapoda)
  5. Order: Various (e.g., Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera)
  6. Family: Various (e.g., Hesperiidae, Coccinellidae)
  7. Genus: Various (e.g., Papilio, Harmonia)
  8. Species: Unique identifier for each organism (e.g., Papilio machaon)

• Classification Criteria:

  • Morphological features (e.g., wing structure, mouthparts)
  • Genetic and molecular data
  • Behavioral traits

• Importance:

  • Understanding biodiversity
  • Conservation efforts
  • Ecological roles of insects

Insect Anatomy

• General Body Plan:

  1. Head: Contains sensory organs, mouthparts, and compound eyes.
  2. Thorax: Three segments (prothorax, mesothorax, metathorax) with legs and wings attached.
  3. Abdomen: Contains vital organs (digestive, reproductive, respiratory systems).

• Key Structures:

  • Exoskeleton: Chitinous cuticle providing protection and support.
  • Wings: Structure varies widely; can be membranous or hardened.
  • Mouthparts: Adapted for different feeding strategies (e.g., chewing, sucking).

• Physiological Systems:

  • Nervous System: Central and peripheral components; includes a brain and ventral nerve cord.
  • Circulatory System: Open system; hemolymph circulates nutrients and hormones.
  • Respiratory System: Tracheal system with spiracles for gas exchange.

• Reproductive Anatomy:

  • Male and Female Differences: Often distinguished by genitalia structure; females may have ovipositors.

• Adaptations:

  • Diverse adaptations for various environments (e.g., camouflage, mimicry, bioluminescence).

Insect Taxonomy

• Insect taxonomy involves the naming, describing, and classification of insects, providing a structured system for identification.
• Taxonomic Hierarchy consists of several levels:
  • Domain: Eukarya, which includes organisms with complex cells.
  • Kingdom: Animalia, encapsulating all animals.
  • Phylum: Arthropoda, encompassing invertebrates with jointed limbs.
  • Class: Insecta (or Hexapoda), categorizing insects specifically.
  • Order: Includes various groups like Lepidoptera (butterflies), Coleoptera (beetles), and Diptera (flies).
  • Family: Further classification; notable examples include Hesperiidae (skippers) and Coccinellidae (ladybugs).
  • Genus: Includes examples like Papilio (swallowtails) and Harmonia (a genus of ladybirds).
  • Species: The most specific level; an example is Papilio machaon (Swallowtail butterfly).
• Classification Criteria are based on:
  • Morphological features, like wing structure and mouthparts.
  • Genetic and molecular data, promoting accuracy in identification.
  • Behavioral traits, influencing how species are grouped.
• Importance of insect taxonomy includes:
  • Understanding biodiversity and species relationships.
  • Informing conservation efforts to protect habitats and species.
  • Recognizing the ecological roles insects play, contributing to ecosystems.

Insect Anatomy

• General Body Plan is divided into three primary sections:
  • Head: Houses sensory organs, mouthparts, and compound eyes for vision.
  • Thorax: Comprised of three segments (prothorax, mesothorax, metathorax) with attachments for legs and wings.
  • Abdomen: Contains crucial internal organs involved in digestion, reproduction, and respiration.
• Key Structures include:
  • An Exoskeleton, made of chitin, offering protection and structural support.
  • Wings with varying structures, which can be membranous (like dragonflies) or hardened (like beetles).
  • Mouthparts adapted for various feeding strategies, including chewing (grasshoppers) and sucking (mosquitoes).
• Physiological Systems within insects:
  • Nervous System features central and peripheral components, including a brain and ventral nerve cord for body control.
  • Circulatory System is open; hemolymph serves to circulate nutrients and hormones.
  • Respiratory System employs a tracheal system with spiracles for effective gas exchange.
• Reproductive Anatomy:
  • Distinctions between male and female often lie in genital structure; females may exhibit specialized structures like ovipositors for laying eggs.
• Adaptations showcase the diversity of insects for various environments, including strategies such as camouflage, mimicry, and bioluminescence.

Order Diptera - Flies, Mosquitoes

• Three suborders: Nematocera, Brachycera, Cyclorrhapha
• Antennae Types:
  • Nematocera: Plumose and pilose
  • Brachycera: Stylet type
  • Cyclorrhapha: Arista type
• Mouthparts:
  • Nematocera have piercing and sucking
  • Brachycera possess cutting and sponging
  • Cyclorrhapha exhibit sponging mouthparts
• Distinguishing feature of Diptera: One pair of membranous forewings with halteres
• Halteres function: Stabilizers during flight
• Examples of dipteran mouthparts:
  • Piercing and sucking (mosquitoes)
  • Sponging (housefly)
  • Cutting and sponging (horse fly)
• Horsefly mouthparts: Proboscis with slender stylets for cutting and siphoning blood
• Metamorphosis: Complete metamorphosis (holometabolous development)
• Importance of Diptera species: Disease transmission, prey for other animals, biological indicators of water pollution, and participation in biological control programs

Order Hemiptera - Plant Bugs, Aphids, Scale Insects, Mealybugs

• Main feature of hemipterans: Piercing and sucking mouthparts; large compound eyes
• Female Hymenoptera common feature: Well-developed ovipositor, often modified for various functions
• Bee thoracic legs: Modified for pollen collection
• Two suborders of Hymenoptera: Apocrita and Symphyta
• Apocrita Members: Ants, bees, wasps
• Distinct feature of Apocrita: Constricted waist
• Symphyta Members: Sawflies
• Distinct feature of Symphyta: No constricted waist
• Hymenoptera life cycle: Complete metamorphosis (holometabolous development)
• Female Hymenoptera reproductive strategies: Parthenogenesis or sperm storage after mating
• Worker caste role in social insects: Providing food for developing larvae
• Hymenoptera larvae characteristics: Vary in body shape and size; primarily grub-like and apodous; well-sclerotized head present
• Adult bees diet: Nectar from flowers; larvae feed on pollen
• Adult wasps diet: Nectar and honeydew
• Predatory or parasitic Hymenoptera feeding habits: Searching for invertebrate hosts to lay eggs

Hemiptera Suborders

• Three suborders of Hemiptera:
  • Heteroptera (true bugs)
  • Auchenorrhyncha (plant hoppers)
  • Sternorrhyncha (aphids, scale insects, mealybugs)
• Hemipteran wings: Two pairs, with forewings having a sclerotized base and membranous tips (hemielytron); hind wings shorter and membranous
• Hemipteran eyes: Compound eyes with potential ocelli (up to 3)
• Hemipteran antennae variation: May be short or long and conspicuous
• True bugs (Heteroptera) forewings: Hardened at the base, membranous at tips, flat over abdomen
• Plant hoppers (Auchenorrhyncha) forewings: Uniform texture, held like a tent over the abdomen
• Sternorrhyncha characteristics: Soft-bodied, typically wingless, with ventral heads and proboscis often covered in wax or froth
• Lerp: Protective cover made from crystallized honeydew produced by young psyllid bugs
• Hemipteran development: Incomplete, varying life stages from nymph to adult