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Arthropods - Quick Checklist
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- Hind wings reduced to tiny knobs (halteres)
EPHEMEROPTERA (Mayflies) - Very soft body - Tip of abdomen with 2-3 thread-like tails (caudal filiments) - Usually with two pairs of wings (sometimes one pair) - When there are two pairs of wings, hind wings are much smaller than front wings LEPIDOPTERA (Moths / Butterflies) - Two pairs of wings covered with powdery scales - Mouthparts usually a coiled tube (proboscis) for sucking TRICHOPTERA (Caddisflies) - Two pairs of wings covered with hair - Wings held roof-like at rest HOMOPTERA (Hoppers and Aphids) - Sucking mouthparts in the form of a rigid beak - Antennae often short and bristley - Two pairs of wings (sometimes without wings) - When wings are present, they are held roof-like at rest - Body sometimes with hard projections that make it look like a thorn - Forms without wings (aphids) have very soft bodies with two short projections (cornicles) at the tip of the abdomen NEUROPTERA (Lacewings) - Two pairs of wings with many cross veins, sometimes bright green - Wings held roof-like at rest PSOCOPTERA (Bark lice) - Tiny insects with very soft, pale colored bodies - Relatively long antennae - Chewing mouthparts - Two pairs of wings or without wings - When wings are present, they are held roof-like at rest ODONATA (Dragonflies & Damselflies) - Antennae always short and bristley - Abdomen always long - Two pairs of wings - Front and hind wings similar in texture, size and shape ISOPTERA (Termites) - Usually found in colonies with many individuals, some of which may have very large mandibles (soldier caste) -Very soft, pale colored bodies - Two pairs of wings or without wings - When wings are present, front and hind wings are similar in size and shape, and held flat over abdomen when at rest MECOPTERA (Scorpionflies) - Head elongated into a "beak" - Males with the last abdominal segment enlarged and held over the body like a scorpion's stinger - Two pairs of wings (occasionally tiny or missing wings) - Front and hind wings similar in texture, size and shape HYMENOPTERA (Bees, Wasps, Ants) - Body often with a narrow "waist" - Two pairs of wings (bees and wasps), sometimes without wings (ants and wingless wasps) - When wings are present, hind wings are smaller than front wings - Antennae of the wingless forms usually have a bend in the middle PLECOPTERA (Stoneflies) - Body very soft, with two projections (cerci) at the end of the abdomen - Two pairs of wings, hind wings wider than front wings - At rest, the hind wings are folded underneath the front wings, and held flat over the abdomen HETEROPTERA (Bugs) - Front wings with clear tips (hemelytra), overlapping at rest, revealing a triangular panel on the back (scutellum) - Front wings a rigid or leathery covering for clear hind wings - Sucking mouthparts in the form of a rigid beak COLEOPTERA (Beetles) - Rigid front wings (elytra) meet in a straight line down the middle of the back - Front wings (sometimes tiny) a rigid or leathery covering for clear hind wings - Chewing mouthparts BLATTARIA (Cockroaches) - Front wings a rigid or leathery covering for clear hind wings - Head hidden from above by a hood-like structure (pronutum) - Chewing mouthparts - Fast runners MANTODEA (Mantids) - Strong front legs with prominent spines for grasping prey, hind legs long and slender - Front wings a rigid or leathery covering for clear hind wings - Chewing mouthparts ORTHOPTERA (Grasshoppers & Crickets) - The femora of the hind legs are enlarged for jumping - Front wings a rigid or leathery covering for clear hind wings - Chewing mouthparts PHASMIDA (Walking sticks) - Slow-moving, resembles a twig - Long, thin body with tiny or missing wings COLLEMBOLA (Springtails) - Very soft body, often smaller than 2mm - Usually with a spring-like structure (furcula) on the underside of the abdomen used for jumping - Without wings - Mouthparts hidden within head THYSANOPTERA (Thrips) - Tiny insects with very soft, slender bodies - Fairly short antennae - Sometimes without wings, but adults may actually have barely visible wings with fringes of hair - Sucking mouthparts SIPHONAPTERA (Fleas) - Tiny jumping parasites almost always found on mammals or birds, where they suck blood - Body has flattened sides - Without wings DERMAPTERA (Earwigs) - Prominent "pincers" (cerci) at the tip of the abdomen - Tiny or missing wings Found on www.amnh.com |