Kansas State University

ORDER

COMMON NAMES

CHARACTERISTICS

WINGS

MOUTHPARTS

METAMORPHOSIS

Collembola
(glue peg)

Springtails

Tiny insects with forked springing organ on abdomen

None

Chewing, but can be hidden

None

Thysanura
(tassel tail)

Bristletails, Silverfish, Firebrat

Long antennae and two or three long tails (cerci) off end of abdomen

None

Chewing

None

Ephemeroptera(short lived, wings)

Mayflies

Triangular shaped wings, with hind wings much smaller than forewings. Usually have two or three long tails off end of abdomen

Two pair

Chewing, but reduced

Incomplete

Odonata
(toothed)

Damselflies,
Dragonflies

Often fairly large insects with membranous wings and huge compound eyes. Legs of adults modified to catch prey so they can't really walk or run

Two pair

Chewing

Incomplete

Plecoptera
(pleated wings)

Stoneflies

Wings nearly equal in length, but hind wings larger than forewings. Wings folded flat over body when at rest. Antennae long

Two pair

Chewing

Incomplete

Phasmatodea

Walkingsticks

Long-legged, sticklike insects

Wings either greatly reduced or lacking

Chewing

Gradual

Orthoptera(straight wings)

Crickets, Grasshoppers, and Katydids

Normally fairly large insects. Front wings long and leathery, hind wings broad & membranous, folded under front wings. Antennae usually long and slender. Legs often modified for jumping, grasping or digging

Two pair or wingless

Chewing

Gradual

Dermaptera
(skin wings)

Earwigs

Forceps on abdomen; front wings short & leathery, hind wings membranous

Two pair or wingless

Chewing

Gradual

Mantodea

Mantids

Generally fairly large, elongate insects with front legs modified for grasping

Two pair or wingless

Chewing

Gradual

Blattodea

Cockroaches

Oval, flattened insects with long antennae and legs adapted for running

Two pair or wingless

Chewing

Gradual

Isoptera
(equal wings)

Termites

Workers and soldiers are wingless, reproductives shed wings after mating. If winged, the fore and hind wings are nearly equal in size and shape. Thorax is broadly attached to the abdomen

Two pair or wingless

Chewing

Gradual

Psocoptera
(rubbed wings)

Booklice, Psocids, Barklice

If winged, the wings are folded roof-like over back

Two pair, wingless, or one pair

Chewing

Gradual

Mallophaga
(to eat wool)

Chewing lice

Parasites of birds and mammals

Wingless

Chewing

Gradual

Anoplura
(unarmed tail)

Sucking lice

Mouth parts withdrawn into head when not in use

Wingless

Sucking

Gradual

Hemiptera
(half wings)

True Bugs

Base of front wings leathery, rest of wing membranous. Often with distinctive triangular area near the middle of the back between the wings and the prothorax

Two pair or wingless

Sucking

Gradual

Homoptera
(same wings)

Aphids, Leafhoppers, Planthoppers, Scale Insects, Cicadas

This group quite variable in shape and size. Wings held roof-like when at rest

Two pair or wingless; male scales have only one pair

Sucking

Gradual

Thysanoptera
(fringed wings)

Thrips

Tiny insects with fringes of hair on wings. Wings fold flat over body when at rest

Two pair

Rasping-sucking

Intermediate

Neuroptera
(nerve wings)

Dobsonflies, Lacewings, Antlions

Wings with many veins and cross veins, held roof-like over back when at rest

Two pair

Chewing

Complete

Coleoptera
(sheath wings)

Beetles

Front wings form hard shell-like cover over abdomen and the membranous hind wings

Two pair or wingless

Chewing

Complete

Hymenoptera
(Membrane wings)

Ants, Bees, Sawflies, Wasps

Front wings are noticeably larger than hind wings. Wings often with hooks to interlock when in flight. Many are thread-waisted (having a narrow connection between the thorax and abdomen)

Two pair or wingless

Chewing or Chewing-lapping

Complete

Trichoptera
(hair wings)

Caddisflies

Membranous wings with numerous hairs or sometimes scales held roof-like over back

Two pair

Chewing but reduced

Complete

Lepidoptera
(scale wings)

Butterflies, Moths, Skippers

Scales on wings

Two pair

Siphoning

Complete

Mecoptera
(long wings)

Scorpionflies

Wings may be flat of roof-like, some males have scorpion-like tail. Mouthparts located at the end of a beak-like structure

Two pair or wingless

Chewing

Complete

Diptera
(two wings)

Flies, Midges, Mosquitoes

Second set of wings reduced to halteres

One pair or wingless

Sucking or sponging

Complete

Siphonoptera
(tube, wingless)

Fleas

Small insects. Body flattened from side to side

Wingless

Sucking

Complete