Insect Orders 3

Coleoptera to Hymenoptera

Order Coleoptera

Beetles Typically 2 pair wings Forewings are elytra

– What is elytra? Hindwings totally

membranous Chewing mouthparts Complete metamorphosis Super diverse order More beetles than anything

Families of Coleoptera

Carabidae Ground beetles Eyes often large and

bulbous Elytra typically with

ridges and punctations Body shape variable Found running around

on ground everywhere

Families of Coleoptera

Silphidae Carrion beetles Elytra short so expose

the tip of the abdomen Elytra tend to widen

posteriorly Capitate antennae Found on carrion

Families of Coleoptera

Scarabaeidae Scarab beetles Vary in size Lamellate antennae Robust and heavy-

bodied Have 5 tarsi on each

leg Can be found all over

the place

Families of Coleoptera

Coccinallidae Lady bugs Body oval or roundish Usually colored with

red, black and/or yellow Capitate antennae Head partially covered

with pronotum Found all over, often in

areas with aphid populations

Order Neuroptera

Lacewings, antlions, etc. 2 pair of large

membranous wings Antennae long and

variable Cerci absent Chewing mouthparts Complete

metamorphosis

Families of Neuroptera

Myrmeleontidae Antlions Adult

– Capitate antennae– Membranous wings– Medium to large

Larvae – Live in sand– Have burrow to trap crawling

insects– Large mandibles to grasp prey

Families of Neuroptera

Chrysopidae Green lacewings Small to medium Filiform antennae Body and wings usually

greenish in color Eyes usually gold or

copper in color Typically have

tympanum at base of forewing

Order Hymenoptera

Bees, Wasps and Ants 4 membranous wings Forewings larger than

hind wings Antennae with 10 or

more segments Females with well

developed ovipositor (known as a stinger if used for defense)

Order Hymenoptera

Tarsi usually with 5 segments

Chewing or chewing/lapping mouthparts

Complete metamorphosis

Can be found all over the place

Families of Hymenoptera

Apidae Honey bees, bumble

bees and carpenter bees

Medium to large Hind legs may have

hairs that form a pollen basket

Tongue wide at the base

Families of Hymenoptera

Vespidae Social wasps Pronotum triangular or

squarish in shape Wings folded

longitudinally Inner margin of eye

strongly notched

Families of Hymenoptera

Formicidae Ants Wings present or

absent One or two dorsal

humps Antennae geniculate Should be point

mounted or stored in vials

Order Trichoptera

Caddisflies Small to Medium 4 membranous wings Wings with only a few

cross veins Wings all about the

same size and held roof like over the body

Body and wings hairy

Order Trichoptera

Antennae filiform and long Tarsi with 5 segments Resemble moths Larvae are aquatic and

build protective cases Sponging mouthparts Complete metamorphosis Found at lights at night

and should be stored in alcohol or pinned

Order Lepidoptera

Butterflies and Moths Size variable Two pair of

membranous wings with scales

Antennae usually clavate, filiform or plumose

Mouthparts siphoning Complete

metamorphosis

Families of Lepidoptera

Papilionidae Swallowtails Most hindwings

extended into tail-like extension

Large Variable color Find on flowers

anywhere

Families of Lepidoptera

Pieridae Sulfurs, whites and

orangetips Medium Usually yellow, orange

or white with some dark markings

Tarsal claws forked Found around flowers

Families of Lepidoptera

Danaidae Milkweed butterflies Large Front legs greatly

reduced Wings usually orange

or brownish with black and white markings

Find near milkweed

Families of Lepidoptera

Saturniidae Giant Silkworm Moths Medium to large Wings typically with eye

spot or clear area Antennae plumose Body usually hairy Found at bright lights

near woods at night

Order Siphonaptera

Fleas Small Apterous Compressed laterally Antennae short Compound eyes

present or absent No ocelli

Order Siphonaptera

Coxae large and long Tarsi with 5 segments Piercing/sucking mouthparts Complete metamorphosis Find on dogs, cats and

other mammals. Store in alcohol or mount on

a slide Be careful, they jump fast

Order Mecoptera

Scorpionflies Head extended downward

giving a long, horse-like appearance

Tip of abdomen may be bulbous resembling a scorpion sting

4 wings typically present Antennae thread-like Chewing mouth at tip of face COMPLETE metamorphosis

Order Strepsiptera

Twisted wing parasite Parasite on wasps Small Extreme sexual

dimorphism Males with wings Females without wings Complete

metamorphosis

Order Diptera

Flies One pair of wings Antennae variable Sucking, sponging or

piercing/sucking mouthparts

Complete metamorphosis

Can be caught anywhere

Families of Diptera

Culicidae Mosquitoes Scales on veins of

wings Wings long and narrow Piercing/sucking

mouthparts Females can be found

feeding on mammals

Families of Diptera

Tabanidae Horse flies or deer flies Medium to large When alive eyes

appear striped Bladelike mouth 3rd antennal segment

ringed Found near horses or

other large livestock

Families of Diptera

Calliphoridea Blow flies or bottle flies Antennae plumose Body often metallic Frontal suture present Found near dead

creatures or poop

Families of Diptera

Muscidae House flies Thorax often striped Frontal suture present These are the flies you

often find in homes