insect classification

Insect ClassificationInsects & Diseases

KingdomPhylum

Class> Order

FamilyGenus

Species

Remember the classification scheme?

Approximately 30 orders.

Most are insignificant and are only studied for scientific purposes.

Mites Ticks Spiders Mollusks (also spelled mollusc)

◦ Snails◦ Slugs

Non-Insect Pests

Largest number of species – 1 in 5 living creatures is a beetle!

Mostly CHEWING MOUTHPARTS Complete Metamorphosis Two pairs of wings

◦ Front pair thick, hard, meet in a line◦ Back pair membranous, used for flight

Some of our best known pest species◦ Japanese beetle◦ white grub◦ weevils◦ rootworms

Coleoptera - Beetles

Coleoptera (beetles)Greek “koleos”= sheath, “ptero”= wing

Coleoptera (beetles)

Spot ID Chewing

mouthparts

Coleoptera (beetles)

Spot ID Chewing

mouthparts Forewings (elytra)

form hard shell covering hindwings

Variable size Adults have 2 pairs of membranous wings

covered with scales Antennae usually knobbed, thread-like, or

feathery Complete metamorphosis Mouthparts

◦ Adults – lapping or sucking◦ Larvae – chewing

Lepidoptera – Butterflies & Moths

Lepidoptera (butterflies & moths)Greek “lepido”= scale, “ptero”= wing

Coiling-sucking mouthparts

Lepidoptera (butterflies & moths)Greek “lepido”= scale, “ptero”= wing

Coiling-sucking mouthparts Four wings covered with scales

Many familiar friends and foes in Lepidoptera:◦ Caterpillars◦ Butterflies◦ Moths◦ Cutworms◦ Armyworms◦ Borers◦ Leafminers

One pair of wings Halteres in place of hindwings Piercing, sucking, sponging mouthparts Complete metamorphosis Larvae known as maggots

◦ usually legless, many aquatic Important econ. pest, disease vectors Mosquitos, flies Mostly beneficials for hort. crops

Diptera - Flies

Diptera (flies)Latin “di”= two, “ptero”= wing

Diptera (flies)Latin “di”= two, “ptero”= wing

Spot ID Two wings

Diptera (flies)Latin “di”= two, “ptero”= wing

Spot ID Two wings

◦ Hind wings reduced to halteres

Diptera (flies)Latin “di”= two, “ptero”= wing

Spot ID Two wings

◦ Hind wings reduced to halteres

Sponging-sucking mouthparts◦ Except

mosquitoes and some others that pierce skin

Two pairs of wings or wingless Antennae with 10 or more segments Mouthparts chewing/lapping Complete metamorphosis Female ovipositor may be modified into

stinger or saw-like structure Many are colonial Many harmful and beneficial species

◦ bees, wasps, ants, sawflies

Hymenoptera – Ants, Bees, & Wasps

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, & ants)Greek “hymen”=membrane, “ptero”=wing or Hymen, the Greek god of marriage because the forewing & hindwings are joined together with small hooks

Hooks not shown

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants)

Spot ID Chewing mouthparts

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants)

Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous

wings

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants)

Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings Waist often constricted

Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants)

Spot ID Chewing mouthparts Four membranous wings Waist often constricted Females with ovipositor

or stinger at end of abdomen

Two pairs of wings usually present; flat over body when resting

Forewings with the basal portion thickened and leathery and the wingtip membranous

Hindwings entirely membranous Piercing, sucking beak Simple metamorphosis – juveniles (nymphs)

resemble adults◦ Chinch bugs◦ Squash bugs◦ Box elder bugs

Hemiptera – True Bugs

Hemiptera (true bugs)Greek “hemi” = half, “ptero” = wing

Spot ID A beak: piercing-sucking

mouthparts

Hemiptera (true bugs)Greek “hemi” = half, “ptero” = wing

Spot ID A beak: piercing-sucking

mouthparts Forewings covering hindwings

◦ Wing half membrane, half thickened

Some consider this a suborder of Hemiptera May or may not have wings Some with wings held tent-like Many are plant feeders Piercing/sucking beak Simple metamorphosis Some bear live offspring (viviparity) Can be very small

Homoptera – Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids, & Scale

Many important ornamental and greenhouse pests◦ Aphids◦ Whitefly◦ Scale◦ Leafhoppers◦ Cicadas◦ Mealybugs

Homoptera continued

Diversity in Homoptera

Class Insecta◦ Order Dermaptera – earwigs◦ Order Thrysanthoptera – thrips◦ Order Neuroptera – lacewings, mantids, ect.◦ Order Orthoptera – crickets, grasshoppers, roaches

Class Diplopoda – Millipedes Class Chilopoda – Centipedes Class Archnida

◦ Order Acari Ticks Mites

Phylum Mollusca Slugs Snails

Managed in same ways as insects

Other orders, classes, phyla

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets)

Spot ID Jumping hind legs

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets)

Spot ID Jumping hind legs Some with ovipositor

at hind end

Dermaptera (earwigs)Greek “derma” = skin, “ptero” = wing

Spot ID Long skin-like hindwings

folded under very short forewings

Dermaptera (earwigs)Greek “derma” = skin, “ptero” = wing

Spot ID Long skin-like hindwings

folded under very short forewings

Pinchers off end of abdomen

The End