Download Ent Notes for SCIOLY and more Study notes Biology in PDF only on Docsity!
Entomology
Protura (telsontails, proturans)
● Head: Entognathous (retracted within the head), sucking mouthparts, consist of thin mandibles & maxillae, use mouthparts to scrape off food particles, which they draw into mouth & mix with saliva; No antennae; No eyes; Head Conical, Pseudoculi (eye shaped organs for smell) present (may be remnants of vestigial antennae); ● Thorax: Wingless; FL used for sensory function, 5 segmented, each leg tipped with a single claw; ● Abdomen: 12 Abdominal Segments (newly hatched have 9, each time they molt, one is added), Small ventral styli located on abdominal segments 1-3, Cerci & Abdominal filaments entirely absent; Some lack a tracheal system (All gas exchange occurs through the integument); ● Sexual Dimorphism: Genitalia are internal & the genital opening lies between the eleventh segment & the telson of the adult; ● Misc Anatomy: .6-1.5mm; Unpigmented, most white or ivory; Postanal Telson @ end of cylindrical body; ● Human Impact: None are pests, help break down/recycle organic nutrients; ● Habitat: Always moist, usu in the humus & leaf mold of temperate deciduous forests, some live 10” underground; Uncommon; ● Diet: Organic matter released by decay & mycorrhizal fungi, dead Acari, & mushroom powder in culture; Herbivores ● Explanation of Name: roto” – first (original) “ura” – tail;, refers to the lack of advanced or specialized structures at the back of the abdomen ● Misc: Most primitive hexapods, smallest arthropod class; Discovered by Antonio Sylvestri in 1907 near Syracuse, New York;
Entognathous, sucking mouthparts all enclosed within head capsule, consist of thin mandibles & maxillae, use mouthparts to scrape off food partibles, which they draw into mouth & mix with saliva; No antennae; No eyes; Head Conical, Pseudoculi (eye shaped organs for smell) present (may be remnants of vestigal antennae); Wingless; FL used as sensory function, 5 segmented, each leg tipped with a single claw; 12 Abdominal Segments (newly hatched have 9, each time they molt, one is added), Small ventral styli located on abdominal segments 1-3, Cerci & Abdominal filaments entirely absent; Genitalia are internal & the genital opening lies between the eleventh segment & the telson of the adult; Some lack a tracheal system (All gas exchange occurs through the integument); .6-1.5mm; Unpigmented, most white or ivory; Postanal Telson @ end of cylindrical body; None pests, help break down/recycle organic nutrients; Always moist, usu in the humus & leaf mold of temperate deciduous forests, some live 10” underground; Uncommon; Herbivores; Organic matter released by decay & mycorrhizal fungi, dead Acari, & mushroom powder in culture; Most primitive hexapods, smallest arthropod class; “proto” – first (original) “ura” – tail; Discovered by Antonio Sylvestri in 1907 near Syracuse, New York;
Collembola (springtails, snow fleas)
● Head: Piercing-sucking, entognathic mouthparts; Antennae short with 4-6 segments: Compound eyes absent or reduced to a cluster of not more than 8 ommatidia; ● Thorax: Wingless; Most have short legs, 1 segmented tarsi; ● Abdomen: Unique, tube-like structure, the collophore is located ventrally on the first abdominal segment (possibly helps maintain water balance by absorbing fluid), Forked jumping organ (furcular) on 4th abdominal segment; The furcula is retracted against the ventral wall of the abdomen & held there, in cocked
position, by a special catch (the tenaculum) on the third abdominal segment. Effective adaptation for avoiding predation; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Genital opening on 5th abdominal segment; ● Life Cycle: Young similar in appearance to adults but paler, some parthenogenetic, most sexual reproduction; ● Human Impact: Decompose/ recycle organic materials, some are plant pests; ● Habitat: Common in grassy/wooded areas decaying organic matter, spores, some inhabit the intertidal zone; Common, worldwide; ● Diet: Scavengers, use ants or termites as a host (commenalism); Feed on decaying vegetation & soil fungi; ● Explanation of Name: “coll” – glue, “embol”- wedge (referring to furcula that was once thought to function as an adhesive organ); ● Misc: Most abundant soil-dwelling arthropods; Appear to have evolved in cold climate;
Piercing-sucking, entognathic mouthparts; Antennae short with 4-6 segments: Compound eyes absent or reduced to a cluster of not more than 8 ommatidia; Wingless; Most have short legs; Unique, tube-like structure, the collophore is located ventrally on the first abdominal segment (possibly helps maintain water balance by absorbing fluid), Forked jumping organ (furcular) on 4th abdominal segment; The furcula is retracted against the ventral wall of the abdomen & held there, in cocked position, by a special catch (the tenaculum) on the third abdominal segment. Effective adaptation for avoiding predation; Genital opening on 5th abdominal segment; Young similar in appearance to adults but paler, some parthenogenetic, most sexual; 1-5mm; Variety of colors; Variable body shapes; Body frequently clothed with scales; Decompose/ recycle organic materials, some are plant pests; Common in grassy/wooded areas decaying organic matter, spores, some inhabit the intertidal zone; Common, worldwide; Scavengers, use ants or termites as a host (commenalism); Feed on decaying vegetation & soil fungi; Most abundant soil-dwelling arthropods; “coll” – glue, “embol”- wedge (referring to furcula); Appear to have evolved in cold climate;
Diplura (diplurans)
● Head: Chewing/biting mouthparts; Antennae longer than head w/ 10 bead-like segments; Lack Eyes; ● Thorax: Wingless; 3 pairs of walking legs, regenerate lost legs through molts, Tarsi 1 segmented; Move thru soil by pushing with wormlike movements or using tunnels/crevices; ● Abdomen: Abdomen with 10 visible segments, Paired cerci at rear (either pincer like in appearance OR long & slender {means they’re herbivores}), small, eversible vesicles on the ventral side of first 7 abdominal segments that help regulate the body's water balance, possibly by absorbing moisture from the environment; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Sexes are separate & fertilization is external, Males produce sperm packets (spermatophores) & glue them to the substrate on the end of little stalks, Females use their genital opening to gather spermatophores & then lay their eggs on little stalks inside a crevice or small cavity in the ground; ● Life Cycle: Molt many times throughout life ● Misc Anatomy: 2-5mm; Whitish in color, cerci usually darker; Elongated body; Some cerci adapted to break off if mishandled (Autotomy); ● Human Impact: Not pests, Important decomposers; ● Habitat: Grassy places in New Zealand, Australia, Live in moist soil, leaf litter, or humus; Common (but seldom seen because of size & reclusive habits); ● Diet: Predators OR herbivores if have long cerci; Eat Wide variety of other soil-dwellers, including collembola, mites, symphyla, insect larvae, & even other diplurans OR vegetable debris & fungal mycelia (animal prey preferred); ● Explanation of Name: “Diplo” – two, “Ura” – tails; ● Misc: Among the most primitive hexapods
Ephemeroptera (mayflies)
● Head: Vestigial mouthparts; Antennae short, bristle like; Compound eyes large, cover most of head; ● Thorax: Wings- 4 membranous, many veins, FW large & triangular, HW smaller & fan-shaped; FL held in front of body; ● Abdomen: Slender, bearing two (or sometimes three) long terminal filaments; Digestive system is filled with air, making them light enough to float; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Paired genital openings; Males fly in swarms; Females fly into the swarm & are quickly grabbed by a male. Copulation takes place in flight, & the female usually lays her clutch of eggs within minutes or hours. Males die shortly after mating; females usually die soon after oviposition; (During copulation, the two penes of the male are inserted simultaneously into the two openings of the female. Sperm is transferred quickly (there is no spermatophore) & eggs are fertilized immediately); a few reproduce parthenogenically (no males have been found); ● Life Cycle: When it is done developing as a naiad , it leaves the aquatic environment, often rising to the water surface in a bubble of air, molts to a winged form (the subimago) & flies to a nearby leaf or stem (subimago- a brief transitional stage that molts again into a sexually mature adult (imago)). The imago usually has transparent wings & a smooth, shiny exoskeleton in contrast to the cloudy wings & dull, pubescent body of the subimago; Adults live for a single day; ● Misc Anatomy: 1-30mm; Color varies (almost clear- brown/black); ● Human Impact: Ecological indicators of water quality, bait (many popular fishing "flies" are tied to resemble mayflies. Anglers have names for the stages -- dun is the subimago & spinner is the imago), food for fish. Mass emergences can cause problems; ● Habitat: Immatures are aquatic ● Diet: Adults don’t feed (young- algae & other aquatic plant life scavenged from surrounding habitat); ● Explanation of Name: derived from the Greek "ephemera" meaning short-lived, and "ptera" meaning wings. This is a reference to the short lifespan of most adult mayflies ● Misc: Some emerge in late April, most in May, can be seen until Sept, in north;
Adults don’t feed- vestigial mouthparts; Antennae short, bristle like; Compound eyes large, cover most of head; Wings- 4 membranous, many veins, FW large & triangular, HW smaller & fan-shaped; FL held in front of body; Abdomen slender, bearing two (or sometimes three) long terminal filaments; Digestive system is filled with air, making them light enough to float; Paired genital openings; Males fly in swarms; Females fly into the swarm & are quickly grabbed by a male. Copulation takes place in flight, & the female usually lays her clutch of eggs within minutes or hours. Males die shortly after mating; females usually die soon after oviposition; (During copulation, the two penes of the male are inserted simultaneously into the two openings of the female. Sperm is transferred quickly (there is no spermatophore) & eggs are fertilized immediately); a few reproduce parthenogenically (no males have been found); When it is done developing as a naiad , it leaves the aquatic environment, often rising to the water surface in a bubble of air, molts to a winged form (the subimago) & flies to a nearby leaf or stem (subimago- a brief transitional stage that molts again into a sexually mature adult (imago)). The imago usually has transparent wings & a smooth, shiny exoskeleton in contrast to the cloudy wings & dull, pubescent body of the subimago; Adults live for a single day; 1-30mm; Color varies (almost clear- brown/black); Some emerge in late April, most in May, can be seen until Sept, in north; Ecological indicators of water quality, bait (many popular fishing "flies" are tied to resemble mayflies. Anglers have names for the stages -- dun is the subimago & spinner is the imago), food for fish. Mass emergences can cause problems; Immatures are aquatic ; Most herbivores; Adults don’t feed (young- algae & other aquatic plant life scavenged from surrounding habitat); Ephemera- “short lived”, “wing”;
Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)
● Head: Mandibulate mouthparts; Antennae very short, bristle-like; Compound eyes large, cover most head ( ocelli), up to 28,000 facets; ● Thorax: Wings- 4 membranous, many veins, similar in size & shape, stigma (distinctively pigmented cell) on leading edge Dragonfly- base of HW broader, Damsel- Base of wings harrow & stock like; Legs used to catch prey/cling to vegetation; Agile fliers; ● Abdomen: Long and slender ● Misc Anatomy: Wingspan 20-190mm; Blue, green, yellow…; Damsel- long & slender, Dragon- robust; ● Human Impact: Beneficial (pest control, mosquitoes), eat bees (pests to beekeepers), can be threat to poultry in some parts of Europe; Transmit Prosthogoniums pellucidus (parasitic flatworm) to chicken; ● Habitat: Freshwater habitats worldwide, males defend territory; ● Diet: All carnivorous predators; Eat small insects like mosquitoes & gnats; ● Explanation of Name: The name Odonata, derived from the Greek "odonto-", meaning tooth, refers to the strong teeth found on the mandibles of most adults. AKA- "snake doctors", "devil's darning needles", & "mosquito hawks";
Mandibulate; Antennae very short, bristle-like; Compound eyes large, cover most head (3 ocelli), up to 28,000 facets; Wings- 4 membranous, many veins, similar in size & shape, stigma (distinctively pigmented cell) on leading edge Dragonfly- base of HW broader, Damsel- Base of wings harrow & stock like; Legs used to catch prey/cling to vegetation; Agile fliers; Long, slender abdomen; Wingspan 20-190mm; Blue, green, yellow…; Damsel- long & slender, Dragon- robust; Beneficial (pest control, mosquitoes), eat bees (pests to beekeepers), can be threat to poultry in some parts of Europe; Transmit Prosthogoniums pellucidus (parasitic flatworm) to chicken; Freshwater habitats worldwide, males defend territory; All carnivorous predators; Eat small insects like mosquitoes & gnats; Odonto= “tooth” (strong tooth on mandible), AKA- "snake doctors", "devil's darning needles", & "mosquito hawks"; _Labial mask adapted for catching prey (folded under throax & head when not in use, can be extended rapidly towards potential prey. Hooked lobes at the tip of the labium grasp or impale the prey & draw it back to the mouth as the labium retracts; External wingpads in later stages; Antennal seg shape useful in ID; Well-developed compound eyes; Around 15-30-60mm; Body robust; Body long & slender, 3 leaf-like gills at end of abdomen; dragonfly naiads- gills are located internally within the rectum here bellows-like contractions of the rectal muscles cause oxygenated water to circulate in & out; Sit-and-wait predators (sit until prey comes, then grabs it with labium); Naiads feed on other aquatic life like mayfly naiads, small crustaceans, annelids, & mollusks; Male grasps female by head/thorax, bends her abdomen so her genetailia can be grasped by organs holdin sperm, female bends abdomen to receive sperm; Eggs laid singly in fresh water, females often hover over open water & dip their abdomen as they oviposit. Eggs hatch into aquatic immature (naiads); Develop into instars with 9-14 molts, nymphs grow/molt in dusk/dawn; Spans over a year;_*
Characteristi c
Dragonfly Damselfly
Eyes Most have eyes that touch/nearly touch at top of head
Eyes clearly separated, usu appearing to each side of the head
Aeschnidae (Darners, Dragonflies)
● Head: Sharp, biting mouthparts; 6-7 seg antennae, slender & bristle-like; Very large, well-developed compound eyes that touch; ● Thorax: 4 large powerful wings, can fly in every direction tirelessly, always extended horizontally, similar triangles in FW & HW, unmatched antenodal crossveins; Legs used to form a basket when catching larger prey; Strong fliers, forwards/backwards…; Thorax thick; ● Abdomen: Long, thin, abdomen, slightly thinner right behind thorax; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Females have ovipositors with blades & thicker abdomens; Males very territorial; Mate in flight, eggs deposited in water or close by, larvae are generally slender w/ long & flat extensible lower lip (labia), move thru water w/ jet propulsion (squirt water out of abdomens); ● Misc Anatomy: Most between 65-85mm long, largest on planet; Most blue/green, some black/yellow; ● Human Impact: Beneficial- pest control; ● Habitat: Found in low-flowing streams, lakes…; ● Diet: Predators; Eat other insects (pests), any soft bodied insect smaller than them, mosquitoes; ● Explanation of Name: ‘aeschna’- ugly, AKA hawkers, darner- female abdomens look like sewing needle as they cut into plant stems & lay eggs; ● Misc: Better adapted to cold than other Odonata; ● Audubon Plate Numbers: (364) 343, 346, 377, larvae on 43
Sharp, biting mouthparts; 6-7 seg antennae, slender & bristle-like; Very large, well-developed compound eyes that touch; 4 large powerful wings, can fly in every direction tirelessly, always extended horizontally, similar triangles in FW & HW, unmatched antenodal crossveins; Legs used to form a basket when catching larger prey; Strong fliers, forwards/backwards…; Long, thin, abdomen, slightly thinner right behind thorax; Thorax thick; Most between 65-85mm long, largest on planet; Ovipositor well-developed; Most blue/green, some black/yellow; Better adapted to cold than other Odonata; Mate in flight, eggs deposited in water or close by, larvae are generally slender w/ long & flat extensible lower lip (labia), move thru water w/ jet propulsion (squirt water out of abdomens); Females have ovipositors with blades & thicker abdomens; Males very territorial; Beneficial- pest control; Found in low-flowing streams, lakes…; Predators; Eat other insects (pests), any soft bodied insect smaller than them, mosquitoes; ‘aeschna’- ugly, AKA hawkers, darner- female abdomens look like sewing needle as they cut into plant stems & lay eggs;
Gomphidae (Clubtails, Dragonflies)
● Head: 4 seg antennae; Widely separated compound eyes; ● Thorax: Similar triangles in FW & HW, No anal loop in HW; Short legs; Flight usu steady, without hovering, adults often alight on a flat surface; ● Abdomen: Widening at end of abdomen (seg 7-9) ‘club’;
● Sexual Dimorphism: Females lack ovipositor, lay eggs by dipping the tip of the abdomen in water while hovering just above surface; Club less pronounced in females (males bigger club), absent in some species; ● Life Cycle: Nymphs unusual- have a flat mentum (part of mouth), antennae only four seg, burrow in sediment at bottom of water body; ● Misc Anatomy: 40-70mm, med sized; Black with yellow or green markings, cryptically colored; ● Human Impact: Pest control; ● Habitat: Active over water, often perch horizontally on ground, rocks, or logs with wings pointed downward; ● Diet: Predators; Small insects, insect pests…; ● Explanation of Name: ‘clubtail’- club at end of abdomen, Latin gomphus or gond meaning hinge; ● Audubon Plate Numbers: (365) 344, 367
Similar triangles in FW & HW, No anal loop in HW; 4 seg antennae; Widely separated compound eyes; Short legs; 40-70mm, med sized; Black with yellow or green markings, cryptically colored; Flight usu steady, without hovering, adults often alight on a flat surface; Nymphs unusual- have a flat mentum (part of mouth), antennae only four seg, burrow in sediment at bottom of water body; Widening at end of abdomen (seg 7-9) ‘club’; Females lack ovipositor, lay eggs by dipping the tip of the abdomen in water while hovering just above surface; Club less pronounced in females (males bigger club), absent in some species; Pest control; Active over water, often perch horizontally on ground, rocks, or logs with wings pointed downward; Predators; Small insects, insect pests…; ‘clubtail’- club at end of abdomen, Latin gomphus or gond meaning hinge;
Libellulidae (skimmers, dragonflies)
● Head: Larvae have labium developed into a mask over the lower part of the face; Hind margin of compound eyes straight or only very slightly lobed; Triangles in FW & HW are dissimilar in size, shape, or orientation, Anal loop of hind wing is foot-shaped with a distinct "heel" & "toe", wings brightly colored/banded, inner margin of HW rounded in both sexes, matched antenodal crossveins; ● Thorax: Fast and erratic flight, sometimes interrupted by periods of hovering; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Male w/o lateral loves on second abdominal segment; Female ovipositor greatly reduced ● Life Cycle: Naiads found in lakes & ponds, stocky & short, known as sprawlers, sit at bottom of streams & lakes waiting for prey, emerge at night; ● Misc Anatomy: ~30-40mm; Many brightly colored, banded wings; Bodies shorter than wingspan; ● Human Impact: Like other Odonatans, probably used for pest control ● Habitat: Very diverse, virtually every dragonfly-type habitat in America, ponds & swamps; ● Diet: Predators; Small insects ● Explanation of Name: "skimmer" because of erratic flight ● Audubon Plate Numbers: (369) 42 (larvae), 345, 347, 348, 349, 358, 359, 360, 376, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 369, 370, 371, 373, 374, 375
Larvae have labium developed into a mask over the lower part of the face; Hind margin of compound eyes straight or only very slightly lobed; Triangles in FW & HW are dissimilar in size, shape, or orientation, Anal loop of hind wing is foot-shaped with a distinct "heel" & "toe", wings brightly colored/banded, inner margin oof HW rounded in both sexes, matched antenodal crossveins; Fast flight, sometimes interrupted by periods of hovering; ~30-40mm; Many brightly colored, banded wings; Male w/o lateral loves on second abdominal segment; Bodies shorter than wingspan; Erratic flight; Pest control??; female ovipositor greatly reduced, Naiads found in lakes & ponds, stocky & short, known as sprawlers, sit at bottom of streams & lakes waiting for prey, emerge at night; Very diverse, virtually every dragonfly-type habitat in America, ponds & swamps; Predators; Small insects; Skimmer- erratic flight, Latin libella which means booklet;
length; Usu have a black pattern, Abdomen may be green, blue, yellow, orange, or purple; Females usu wacky colors, males usu just blue/green; Ponds/near water; Predators?; Small insects?; AKA- pond damselflies, Greek coen meaning shared or common & agrio meaning fields or wild;
Table for Distinguishing Odonata Families
Within the families of Odonata, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the following groups of families:
● Lestidae and Coenagrionidae- Note that Lestidae rests with wings open and Coenagrionidae rest with their wings together. ● Gomphidae, Aeschnidae, and Libellulidae- Note that Gomphidae's eyes are separated, and Libelluidae has a short, stout body.
Family Name
Distinguishing Trait Wing Venation
Aeschnid ae
Eyes touch at top of head similar triangles in FW & HW, unmatched antenodal crossveins
Gomphid ae
Eyes do not touch at top of head (The club on abdomen is NOT always present, and may be present in groups that are not a member of this family)
Similar triangles in FW & HW, No anal loop in HW;
Libellulid ae
Short, somewhat stout abdomen Triangles in FW & HW are dissimilar in size, shape, or orientation, Anal loop of hind wing is foot-shaped with a distinct "heel" & "toe"
Lestidae Rest with wings spread open, eyes more offset from head than in Coenagrionidae
Many veins lead to wing tip, longer pterostigma
Coenagri onidae
Rest with wings together, eyes less offset from head than in Lestidae
2 antenodal crossveins, few veins lead to wing tip
Blattodea (Cockroaches)
● Head: Mandibulate mouthparts; Antennae long, slender, back-sweeping, fillform; Compound eyes large, 2 ocelli-like spots; ● Thorax: Wings- 4 membranous, FW thickened, HW membranous, pleated, held flat over back, overlapping, FW more sclerotized than HW, folded left over right when resting; Cursorial (running) legs, 5 segmented tarsi ● Sexual Dimorphism: ● Life Cycle: Immatures similar to adults & have wingpads, Females secrete a capsule around eggs called öotheca (may be dropped on the ground, glued to a substrate, or retained within the female's body), Egg stage lasts a few weeks to a few months, young resemble adults but are lighter & lack wings, go through a series of nymphal instars (2-12 depending on species), takes a month-a year to reach maturity; ● Misc Anatomy: Body well adapted for running & squeezing into narrow cracks, instead of flying to avoid danger, they run into cracks/cervices; Pronotum covers & dorsally protects most of head & thorax; 8-60+ mm; Dark brown, reddish; Flattened oval bodies; Short, multi-segmented cerci; ● Human Impact: Pests- feed on human/pet food, bad odor, unsanitary conditions, useful research tools for insect physiology & toxicology; Carry human pathogens, trigger allergic reactions (tropomyosin protein); ● Habitat: Common most of world, subtropical & tropical environments, also temperate & boreal regions; Most are nocturnal;
● Diet: Scavengers or omnivores; Eat almost everything, rotting wood, some harbor symbiotic gut Protozoa that aids in cellulose digestion; ● Explanation of Name: The name Blattodea is derived from "blatta", the Greek word for cockroach. AKA waterbugs; ● Misc: Closely related to Orthoptera & Mantodea;
Mandibulate; Antennae long, slender, back-sweeping, fillform; Wings- 4 membranous, FW thickened, HW membranous, pleated, held flat over back, overlapping, FW more sclerotized than HW, folded left over right when resting; Cursorial (running) legs, 5 segmented tarsi; Body well adapted for running & squeezing into narrow cracks, instead of flying to avoid danger, they run into cracks/cervices; Pronotum covers & dorsally protects most of head & thorax; Compound eyes large, 2 ocelli-like spots; Immatures similar to adults & have wingpads, Females secrete a capsule around eggs called öotheca (may be dropped on the ground, glued to a substrate, or retained within the female's body), Egg stage lasts a few weeks to a few months, young resemble adults but are lighter & lack wings, go through a series of nymphal instars (2-12 depending on species), takes a month-a year to reach maturity; 8-60+ mm; Dark brown, reddish; Flattened oval bodies; Short, multi-segmented cerci; Pests- feed on human/pet food, bad odor, unsanitary conditions, useful research tools for insect physiology & toxicology; Carry human pathogens, trigger allergic reactions (tropomyosin protein); Common most of world, subtropical & tropical environments, also temperate & boreal regions; Common; Scavengers or omnivores; Eat almost everything, rotting wood, some harbor symbiotic gut Protozoa that aids in cellulose digestion; Closely related to Orthoptera & Mantodea; “Blatta” = cockroach, AKA waterbugs; Most are nocturnal;
Mantodea (mantids)
● Head: Mandibulate, hypognathous; Antennae short-medium length, filiform; Compound eyes large (cover most triangular head), distinctive ocelli; Head triangular shaped & can turn from side to side without moving any other part of body; ● Thorax: Wings- 4 (most, some none), FW tegmina (narrow, opaque, leathery) camouflage & shield for HW, HW broader, more delicate, transparent, FW thicker & more slender than HW; Prothorax elongated; Raptorial FL with spines for catching/holding prey, 5 seg tarsi; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Males are fully winged while females have reduced/no wings; Immatures similar to adults with wingpads visible on thorax; Female mantids may attack & eat the male during or after mating, Female lays eggs in a foamy substance that hardens into a distinctive case (ootheca, contains up to 400 eggs); ● Life Cycle: Nymphs hatch & molt several times, take ~ 1 year to develop; ● Misc Anatomy: 10-120mm; Cryptically colored; Elongated body; Cerci short, multi-segmented; ● Human Impact: Beneficial- feed on pests ● Habitat: Tropical & subtropical climates; Common in Australia; ● Diet: All predatory, some cannibalistic; Eat small insect prey (cricket) (or small frogs, lizards, birds); ● Explanation of Name: The name Mantodea is derived from "mantis", the Greek word for these insects. ● Misc: Active in spring-late fall, eggs overwintering; Closely related to orthoptera & Blattodea; Many are camouflaged & drawn to light at night;
Mandibulate, hypognathous; Antennae short-medium length, filiform; Compound eyes large (cover most triangular head), distinctive ocelli; Head triangular shaped & can turn from side to side without moving any other part of body; Wings- 4 (most, some none), FW tegmina (narrow, opaque, leathery) camouflage & shield for HW, HW broader, more delicate, transparent, FW thicker & more slender than HW; Prothorax elongated; Raptorial FL with spines for catching/holding prey, 5 seg tarsi; Males are fully winged while females have reduced/no wings; Immatures similar to adults with wingpads visible on thorax; Female mantids may attack & eat the male during or after mating, Female lays eggs in a foamy substance that hardens into a distinctive case (ootheca, contains up to 400 eggs); some stay with eggs while hatch, others leave, Nymphs
Grylloblattodea (Ice insects, rock crawlers)
● Head: Mandibulate (biting & chewing), hypognathous mouth; Antennae slender, filliform, 23-45 segments; Compound eyes reduced/absent; ● Thorax: Wings- secondarily wingless; Legs- long & thin, Tarsi- 5 segmented, large coxae; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Female has pronounced ovipositor ● Life Cycle: Eggs are black, laid singly into soil or moss, hatch after a few months-3 years, 8 nymphal instars; Development can take up to 7 years because of cold, nymphs look like adults but have no (or greatly reduced) compound eyes & no ocelli; ● Misc Anatomy: 15-35mm; Mostly brown, legs & underside- light brown; Cylindrical; Long 8 segmented cerci; ● Human Impact: No human importance (don’t live with humans); ● Habitat: Rare; Caves near ice/snow at high elevations, mountains of Asia/North America (none have been found in the Southern Hemisphere); Active only at cold temperatures & move downward toward permafrost during warm seasons; Nocturnal; ● Diet: Omnivores, scavenge for food on the surface of snowfields, under rocks, or near melting ice; Eat mainly arthropod carcasses/plant material; ● Explanation of Name: The name Grylloblattodea, derived from the Greek "gryll" meaning cricket and "blatta" meaning cockroach, refers to the blend of cricket-like and roach-like traits found in these insects. ● Misc: Closely related to Orthoptera & Dermaptera, Second smallest order of insects; Discovered by E.M.Walker in the Canadian Rockies in 1914; Cannot tolerate warm temps (die above 10 deg Celsius);
Mandibulate (biting & chewing), hypognathous; Antennae slender, filliform, 23-45 segments; Compound eyes reduced/absent; Wings- secondarily wingless; Legs- long & thin, Tarsi- 5 segmented, large coxae; Female has pronounced ovipositor; Eggs are black, laid singly into soil or moss, hatch after a fewmonths-3 years, 8 nymphal instars;15-35mm; Mostly brown, legs & underside- light brown; Cylindrical; Long 8 segmented cerci; Development can take up to 7 years because of cold, nymphs look like adults but have no (or greatly reduced) compound eyes & no ocelli; No human importance (don’t live with humans); Rare; Caves near ice/snow at high elevations, mountains of Asia/North America (none have been found in the Southern Hemisphere); Omnivores, scavenge for food on the surface of snowfields, under rocks, or near melting ice; Eat mainly arthropod carcasses/plant material; Active only at cold temperatures & move downward toward permafrost during warm seasons; Closely related to Orthoptera & Dermaptera, Second smallest order of insects; “Gryll”- cricket, “Blatta”- cockroach, blend cricket-like & roach-like traits; Discovered by E.M.Walker in the Canadian Rockies in 1914; Cannot tolerate warm temps (die above 10 deg Celsius); Nocturnal
Dermaptera (earwigs)
● Head: Mandibulate, prognathous mouth; Antennae slender, moderately long beadlike with 10+ segments; Compound eyes well-developed, simple eyes absent; ● Thorax: Wings- 4 (sometimes absent) , FW tegmina, thick, short & leathery, veinless (shaped like human ear), HW semi-circular & pleated, fan-shaped, fold in a fan-like fashion, some are secondarily wingless; Thin Cursorial (running) legs, 3 seg tarsi; ● Abdomen: Pair of large pincers (cerci) at back of abdomen used in grooming, defense, courtship, or folding wings; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Males- curved cerci, Females' cerci- straight with an inward pointing tip; ● Life Cycle: Female lays eggs in soil & may guard them until they hatch, Nymphs similar to adults but lack wings; ● Misc Anatomy: 6-35mm (not counting cerci); Most brown/black, some metallic green/yellow; Elongated, dorsoventrally flattened; ● Human Impact: Little to no importance, few can damage plant blossoms; Spread no diseases; ● Habitat: Many live throughout world, most in tropics/subtropics, dark sheltered environments (under rocks, longs, bark of trees); Common & widely distributed; ● Diet: Mostly scavengers/herbivores, some may be predatory; Eat living/decaying plant/animal matter; ● Sociality: Non-social but shows maternal care; ● Explanation of Name: The name Dermaptera, derived from the Greek "derma" meaning skin and "ptera" meaning wings, refers to the thickened forewings that cover and protect the hind wings. Called earwigs because of an old superstition that they crawl into people’s ears at night & burrow into brain, this is not true;
Mandibulate, prognathous; Antennae slender, moderately long beadlike with 10+ segments; Compound eyes well-developed, simple eyes absent; Wings- 4 (sometimes absent) , FW tegmina, thick, short & leathery, veinless (shaped like human ear), HW semi-circular & pleated, fan-shaped, fold in a fan-like fashion, some are secondarily wingless; Thin Cursorial (running) legs, 3 seg tarsi; Pair of large pincers (cerci) at back of abdomen used in grooming, defense, courtship, or folding wings; Female lays eggs in soil & may guard them until they hatch, Nymphs similar to adults but lack wings; 6-35mm (not counting cerci); Most brown/black, some metallic green/yellow; Elongated, dorsoventrally flattened; Males- curved cerci, Females straight with an inward pointing tip; Little-no importance, few can damage plant blossoms; No diseases; Many throughout world, most in tropics/subtropics, dark sheltered environments (under rocks, longs, bark of trees); Common & widely distributed; Mostly scavengers/herbivores, some may be predatory (hide during day, active in night); Eat living/decaying plant/animal matter; Non-social insect but shows maternal care; “Derma”- skin, “Ptera”- wings, thickened FW that cover HW, called earwigs because of an old superstition that they crawl into people’s ears at night &
burrow into brain, this is not true;
Plecoptera (stoneflies)
● Head: Mandibulate, simple, chewing mandibles (some adults don’t feed or have mouthparts); Antennae long, filiform; Compound eyes large, 2-3 ocelli; Broad head;
set of tiny pegs (called a file, located at the base of one wing) against a strong ridge on the other wing to produce sounds. Grasshoppers make sound by rubbing hind femora against the edges of the forewings; ● Misc Anatomy: Most green; Pronotum usually with large descending lobes on sides; Ears of katydids & crickets are on forelegs, grasshopper ears are on base of abdomen; (tympanal organs = "ears") ● Human Impact: Can be damaging to plants, some reared commercially & sold as bait; ● Habitat: Common worldwide, terrestrial habitats; ● Diet: Most herbivores, some also eat dead/living insects; Eat all types of plants; ● Explanation of Name: The name Orthoptera, derived from the Greek "ortho" meaning straight and "ptera" meaning wing, refers to the parallel-sided structure of the front wings (tegmina). ● Misc: Divided into 2 major groups based on antennae (locusts & grasshoppers have thick short antennae; Crickets & katydids have long threadlike antennae), closely related to Blattodea & Dermaptera;
Mandibulate, hypognathous; Antennae filiform; Compound eyes large; Wings- 4 held overlapping abdomen at rest, FW (Tegmina) hardened base, narrow, leathery, spread in flight, HW fan-like, membranous, fold under FW; HL- saltatorial, enlarged femur, powerful jumping legs, 3-4 seg tarsi, hind coxae small & well-separated, hind tibiae with two dorsal rows of teeth; Cerci short & unsegmented; Mostly males produce sound by stridulation (rubbing the bases of the wings together or rubbing the hind legs against the wing edges), used for establishing territories & finding mates, volume & pitch unique to each species. Crickets & katydids rub a set of tiny pegs (called a file, located at the base of one wing) against a strong ridge on the other wing to produce sounds. Grasshoppers make sound by rubbing hind femora against the edges of the forewings; Most green; Pronotum usually with large descending lobes on sides; Ears of katydids & crickets- on forelegs, grasshopper ears- on base of abdomen; Can be damaging to plants, some reared commercially & sold as bait; Common worldwide, terrestrial habitats; Most herbivores, some also eat dead/living insects; Eat all types of plants; Divided into 2 major groups based on antennae (locusts & grasshoppers have thick short antennae; Crickets & katydids have long threadlike antennae), closely related to Blattodea & Dermaptera; Name- “straight winged”; probably arose during the middle of the Carboniferous period
Tetrigidae (pygmy grasshopper)
● Head: Antennae shorter than body; ● Thorax: FW (tegmina) reduced to pads/absent, may be exposed/covered by pronotum, Membranous HW protected by elongated region of thoracic shield, some can’t fly; 2-2-3 tarsal formula, Hind tibiae expanded for swimming in some; Pronotum extends back over abdomen & is pointed posteriorly; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Females usu larger; ● Misc Anatomy: Less than 20mm; Cryptically colored; Can’t hear/make sounds; ● Human Impact: Not plant pests; ● Habitat: Moderately common; Usu live near water, others in dry habitats (woodlands, old fields), most diverse in tropical forest; ● Diet: Herbivores; Eat roots of plants/seedlings some algae/diatoms; ● Explanation of Name: AKA grouse locusts, pygmy locusts, groundhoppers or pygmy grasshoppers; ● Misc: Encountered early summer, spring, overwinter as adults, breed- late spring; Some can swim; ● Audubon Plate Numbers: (416) 253
Antennae shorter than body; FW (tegmina) reduced to pads/absent, may be exposed/covered by pronotum, Membranous HW protected by elongated region of thoracic shield, some can’t fly; 2-2-3 tarsal, Hind tibiae expanded for swimming in some; Pronotum extends back over abdomen & is pointed posteriorly; Less than 20mm; Cryptically colored; Can’t hear/make sounds; Encountered early summer, spring, overwinter as adults, breed- late spring; Females usu larger; Not plant pests; Moderately common; Usu live near water, others in dry habitats (woodlands, old fields), most diverse in
tropical forest; Herbivores; Eat roots of plants/seedlings some algae/diatoms; AKA grouse locusts, pygmy locusts, groundhoppers or pygmy grasshoppers; Some can swim;
Acrididae (short-horned grasshopper)
● Head: Chewing mouth; Antennae short; Large eyes; ● Thorax: Some well-developed wings, others wingless; HL for jumping, femur enlarged with muscle, as long as HW, 3-3-3 tarsal; Pronotum doesn’t extend beyond base of wings; ● Abdomen: Tympana on sides of 1st abdominal segment; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Females have short, stout ovipositor, oviposit into ground; Elaborate mating courtship, takes ~1 hour, male may ride on back of female for a day (mate guarding) ● Life Cycle: Females oviposit in loose soil, plant roots, rotting wood, dung, clutches of 10-60 eggs, up to 25 clutches over several weeks, Oviposition occurs late summer, hatch in spring; ● Misc Anatomy: 15-30mm; Most gray/brown (cryptically colored), some bright; Spring-fall, overwinter as eggs; ● Human Impact: Many destructive plant pests; ● Habitat: Most in grasslands; ● Diet: Herbivores, predators of Acrididae- ground beetles (eat egg), wasps, ants, praying mantids, spiders, mites, centipedes, frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, birds, shrews; Eat grasses/variety of plants; ● Audubon Plate Numbers: (417) 256, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266& 269, 267, 268, 270, 271,273, 274, 275, 275, 276, 278, 281
Chewing mouth; Antennae short; Large eyes; Some well-developed wings, others wingless; HL for jumping, femur enlarged with muscle, as long as HW, 3-3-3 tarsal; Pronotum doesn’t extend beyond base of wings; Tympana on sides of 1st abdominal segment; 15-30mm; Short, stout ovipositor, oviposit into ground; Most gray/brown (cryptically colored), some bright; Spring-fall, overwinter as eggs; Many destructive plant pests; Most in grasslands; Herbivores, predators of Acrididae- ground beetles (eat egg), wasps, ants, praying mantids, spiders, mites, centipedes, frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, birds, shrews; Eat grasses/variety of plants; Elaborate mating courtship, takes ~1 hour, male may ride on back of female for a day (mate guarding), females oviposit in loose soil, plant roots, rotting wood, dung, clutches of 10-60 eggs, up to 25 clutches over several weeks, Oviposition occurs late summer, hatch in spring;
Tettigoniidae (katydids)
Gryllidae (true crickets)
● Head: Powerful jaws; Long threadlike antennae; ● Thorax: Some have wings, held flat over abdomen, Rub wings together to make sound, most of FW surface is dorsal in position w/ a narrow lateral portion bent down abruptly, right tegmen uppermost at rest; HL for jumping; 3 seg tarsi, Tympanum on front tarsi; ● Abdomen: Cerci long & feeler like; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Mostly male crickets chirp, some females, male wings have large membranous area, often larger than female; Use song for courtship; ● Life Cycle: Mate in late summer, eggs laid in autumn, hatch in spring; ● Misc Anatomy: Medium/large sized; Somewhat camouflaged; Only able to hold one pitch; Somewhat flattened; ● Human Impact: Some bite humans; ● Habitat: Usually nocturnal; Found in fields, houses, trees; ● Diet: Omnivorous scavengers; Eat organic materials (decaying plant material, fungi, & some seedling plants), some eat own dead/injured (cannibalism); ● Misc: Parasitic tachinid fly Ormia ochracea attracted to male’s song; ● Audubon Plate Numbers: (438) 251, 252, 277, 279, 280
Powerful jaws; Long threadlike antennae; Some have wings, held flat over abdomen, Rub wings together to make sound, most of FW surface is dorsal in position w/ a narrow lateral portion bent down abruptly, right tegmen uppermost at rest; HL for jumping; 3 seg tarsi, Tympanum on front tarsi; Cerci long & feeler like; Medium/large sized; Somewhat camouflaged; Only able to hold one pitch; Mate in late summer, eggs laid in autumn, hatch in spring; Usually nocturnal; Mostly male crickets chirp, some females, male wings have large membranous area, often larger than female; Somewhat flattened; Parasitic tachinid fly Ormia ochracea attracted to male’s song; Some bite humans; Found in fields, houses, trees; Omnivorous scavengers; Eat organic materials (decaying plant material, fungi, & some seedling plants), some eat own dead/injured; Use song for courtship;
Gryllotalpidae (mole crickets)
● Head: Antennae less than 1/2 total body length; Small eyes; ● Thorax: Tegmen usually short, covering ½ of abdomen; Front legs fossorial, broad & spade like, HL not made for jumping; Can fly powerfully, move very fast in general; ● Sexual Dimorphism: Ovipositor not visible externally; Males have a scaper on FW that produces sound when rubbed against other wing produces sound;
● Life Cycle: Lay eggs in sealed off chambers, mating occurs in burrow, require 1+ year to develop, overwinter in all stages but egg & small nymph; ● Misc Anatomy: 20+mm; Brownish; Abdomen is rather soft, but the head, forelimbs, & prothorax are heavily sclerotized; ● Human Impact: Lawn pests ● Habitat: Nocturnal, burrowing, moist places, extensive tunnel systems; ● Diet: Omnivores; Feed on larvae, worms, roots, grasses, plant & animal matter; ● Audubon Plate Numbers: (442) 250
Antennae less than 1/2 total body length; Small eyes; Tegmen usually short, covering ½ of abdomen; Front legs fossorial, broad & spade like, HL not made for jumping; Can fly powerfully, move very fast in general; Ovipositor not visible externally; Lay eggs in sealed off chambers, mating occurs in burrow, require 1+ year to develop, overwinter in all stages but egg & small nymph; 20+mm; Brownish; Abdomen is rather soft, but the head, forelimbs, & prothorax are heavily sclerotized; Long slender ovipositor; Males have a scaper on FW that produces sound when rubbed against other wing produces sound; Lawn pests; Nocturnal, burrowing, moist places, extensive tunnel systems; Omnivores; Feed on larvae, worms, roots, grasses, plant & animal matter
Table for Distinguishing Orthoptera Families
This table displays some key characteristics for each Orthopteran family.
Family Name Distinguishing Traits
Tetrigidae Thorax projects past abdomen
Acrididae Short Antennae, tympanum on first abdominal segment, 3 segmented tarsi
Tettigoniidae Can be green or pink; Long antennae; Somewhat leaf-like; Tympanum on front tibia; 4 seg tarsi
Gryllacrididae Humpbacked; Jerusalem cricket; Can be tan, yellow, or brown
Gryllidae Long Antennae, tympanum at base of front tibia, 3 segmented Tarsi, Wings end early
Gryllotalpidae Fossorial legs (for digging), tympanum at base of front tibia
Phasmatodea (walking sticks)
