Insecta

APTERYGOTA
WINGLESS INSECTS

1. Order Protura

•Proturans are tiny (< 2 mm), pale insects with piercing mouthparts.
•Head is conical, without antennae or eyes.
•Abdomen has 11 segments; the first 3 segments each have a pair of small appendages. It ends
with a telson and lacks cerci.

•Forelegs are held forward and mainly serve a sensory role.

•Metamorphosis involves an increase in abdominal segments after each molt, known as
anamorphosis.

•Eg: Acerentomon
2. Order Collembola

•Small insects (< 6 mm) with biting mouthparts and 4-segmented antennae.
•No compound eyes; have one to several pairs of lateral ocelli forming an eye patch.
•Abdomen has 6 segments, with three pregenital appendages.
•Ventral tube (collophore or glue peg) on the first abdominal segment aids in balancing,
excretion, respiration, adhesion, and water absorption.
•Retinaculum (hamula or tenaculum) on the third abdominal segment holds the furcula.
•Furcula (springing organ) on the fourth abdominal segment helps the insect jump by snapping
against the ground.
•Example- Anurida, Isotoma

3. Order Diplura

•Insects range from small to large (<5-50 mm), with pale, narrow bodies.
•Antennae are moniliform (bead-like) and multi-segmented; they lack compound eyes and
ocelli.
•Abdomen has 10 segments, lateral appendages on most pregenital segments.
•A pair of cerci is located at the end of the abdomen.
•Examples - Campodea and Japyx
4. Order Thysanura

•Transitional group between apterygotes (wingless insects) and pterygotes (winged insects).
• 6–18 mm long, with a metallic sheen in gray, brown, or white, and have mandibulate
mouthparts.
•Antennae are long, multi-segmented, and have muscles in the basal segment.
•Compound eyes may or may not be present.
•Abdomen has 11 segments with varying numbers of lateral pregenital appendages; the last
segment ends with a pair of cerci and a median filament.
•Example- Lepisma, Thermobia

PTERYGOTA
PTERYGOTA Characteristics:

•Insects with wings or secondarily wingless

•Head types: Prognathous, opisthognathous, or hypognathous.
•Mouthparts: Ectognathous with dicondylic mandibles.
•Abdominal pregenital appendages: Absent.
•Metamorphic development: Can be incomplete (no pupal stage) or complete (with pupal
stage).

DIVISIONS OF PTERYGOTA
o EXOPTERYGOTA & ENDOPTERYGOTA
 EXOPTERYGOTA ORDERS
5. Order Ephemeroptera
•Nymphs (also called naiads) live in freshwater environments.
•Short Adult Lifespan
•Two Pairs of Wings:
•Front wings are large, membranous, and triangular.
•Hind wings are smaller or sometimes absent.
•Non-functional Mouthparts in Adults.
•Presence of two or three long, thread-like tail filaments at the end of the abdomen.
•Subimago Stage: the insect molts into a winged but sexually immature form before its final
adult molt.
•Ecological Importance: Important for freshwater ecosystems and serve as bioindicators of
water quality. Nymphs are a significant food source for fish.

6. Order Odonata
•Aquatic Nymphs (Naiads): extendable lower lip (labium) for catching prey.
•Two Pairs of Large, Membranous Wings:
Both pairs are similarly sized in dragonflies, while in damselflies, the hind wings are often
narrower.
•Powerful Fliers: capable of hovering
•Dragonflies: Robust, thicker bodies with wings held out horizontally when at rest.
•Damselflies: Slender, delicate bodies with wings held together above the body when at rest.
•Large, well-developed compound eyes, Short Antennae
•Ecological Role: Important for controlling insect populations (especially mosquitoes) and as
bioindicators for assessing water quality. Both adults and nymphs play a crucial role in aquatic
and terrestrial food webs.

7. Order Embioptera

Small, Elongated Insects: Typically soft-bodied and slender.

•Silk Production: Known for spinning silk using specialized glands in the enlarged front tarsi
(forelegs).- webspinners
•Habitat: Live in silk galleries or tunnels they create in leaf litter, under bark, or in soil crevices.
•Wings: Males usually have wings, while females are wingless. Wings are flexible and capable
of folding.
•Feeding: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on decaying plant matter, lichens, and moss.
 8. Order Dictyoptera

•Dictyoptera includes cockroaches (Blattodea) and mantises (Mantodea).

•Two pairs of wings: hardened forewings (tegmina), membranous hind wings.
•Cockroaches: flattened body, scavengers, omnivorous.
•Mantises: elongated thorax, raptorial forelegs for hunting.
•Large compound eyes and chewing mouthparts.
•Lay eggs in ootheca (egg case).
•Cockroaches: live in a wide range of environments, especially dark, humid places.
•Mantises: predators, use camouflage for hunting in vegetation.

9. Order Isoptera

•Termites are social, polymorphic insects that live in large communities.

•They are small, pale yellow with soft bodies and short, moniliform (beaded) antennae.
•Compound eyes are present but usually absent in wingless (apterous) forms.
•Winged (alate) forms have two pairs of wings with indistinct venation, capable of shedding.
•The abdomen is broadly joined to the thorax without constriction, and cerci (small appendages)
are short.
•Example species: Isotermes, Odontotermes badius.
10. Order Phasmida

•Large insects with a cylindrical body, either winged or wingless, shaped like leaf or stick
•Mandibulate mouthparts, with a prominent prothorax and an 11-segmented abdomen with short
cerci
•Legs are adapted for movement, and some species, like leaf insects, have specialized legs.
•Wings may be present or absent, with varying venation.
•Strong regenerative abilities, especially in the legs.
•Example- Phyllium
11. Order Plecoptera
Plecoptera, commonly known as stoneflies
• Wings: Two pairs of membranous wings; the forewings are narrower than the hindwings,
and both are folded flat over the body when at rest.
 • Body Shape: Elongated, soft-bodied, with a cylindrical shape.
• Antennae: Long and thread-like (filiform).
• Mouthparts: Chewing mouthparts, though some adults may not feed.
• Legs: Two claws on each leg for gripping substrates.
• Tails (Cerci): Typically have two long cerci extending from the tip of the abdomen.
12. Order Orthoptera
The order Orthoptera includes grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids, characterized by the
following features:
• Wings: Two pairs of wings. The forewings are narrow and leathery (tegmina), while the
hindwings are broad and membranous, used for flight.
• Antennae: Long, filamentous antennae, especially in crickets and katydids. Grasshoppers
often have shorter antennae.
• Mouthparts: Chewing mouthparts adapted for herbivory.
• Legs: Powerful hind legs adapted for jumping (saltatorial locomotion).
• Cerci: Short appendages at the tip of the abdomen.
Sound Production:
• Stridulation: Many species produce sound by rubbing body parts together, usually the
wings or legs, especially for mating calls (e.g., crickets and katydids).

13. Order Hemiptera

• Hemipterans range in size from 1 to 110 mm.
• Typically have two pairs of wings; forewings are harder than hindwings.
• Adults have a triangular scutellum between their wings.
• Head is either hypognathous or prognathous with a well-developed rostrum and
piercing-sucking mouthparts.
• Pronotum varies in size, from small to large.
• They exhibit diverse locomotion modes, including swimming, skating on water, jumping,
walking, and flying.

14. Order Mallophaga

Mallophaga, commonly known as chewing lice, is an order of parasitic insects that feed on the
feathers, hair, or skin of birds and mammals. :
 • Size: Small, generally 0.5 to 8 mm long.
• Body Shape: Flattened, with a broad, oval, or rounded body.
• Head: Large relative to the body, with chewing mouthparts adapted for biting and
scraping.
• Legs: Modified for clinging to hosts, with robust claws to grasp feathers or fur.
Example- Collembicola

15. Order Anoplura

• Anoplurans are apterous, small-sized, sanguivorous insects living as
• ectoparasites of mammals.
• Body is dorso-ventrally flattened with a narrow head and 3-5 segmented
• antenna.
• Mouthparts modified for piercing and sucking, and can be retracted
• when not in use.
• Tarsi are 1-segmented with single claws.
• Abdomen is without any cerci.
• Example: Pediculus humanus,
16. Order Psocoptera
• Psocids (book lice, dust lice) are minute (1-10 mm in length) and soft-bodied insects.
• Head has a distinct `Y' shaped epicranial suture, mandibulate
• mouthparts and filiform antennae with 12-50 segments.
• Eyes are large-sized and protrude from the sides.
• These occur as macropterous, brachypterous as well as apterous forms.
• At rest, wings are held over the abdomen like a roof.
• Abdomen is without any cerci.
• In some psocids,dorsal pair of labial glands are modified into silk glands and they have
the ability to spin silken webs.
• Example: Liposcelis bostrychophila, Psocus leidyi

17. Order Zoraptera

• The zorapterids are minute insects, 3 mm or less in length
• Darkly coloured winged forms or pale wingless forms
 • Chewing mouthparts adapted for feeding on small organic matter
• Some species exhibit primitive social behavior, with a simple form of eusociality,
including the presence of a small number of individuals in colonies.
• Example- Zorotypus
18. Order Thysanoptera
commonly known as thrips, have the following key features:
• Size: Tiny, usually 0.5 to 2 mm long.
• Body Shape: Slender and elongated.
• Wings: Two pairs of narrow, fringed wings; some species are wingless.
• Antennae: Short to moderate length, with 6 to 8 segments.
• Mouthparts: Piercing-sucking, adapted for feeding on plant tissues and sometimes other
small insects.
• Habitat: Often found on plants, including flowers, leaves, and fruits; can be pests in
agriculture.
Example- Scicothrips
19. Order Gryllobatoedea
Gryllobatodea (wingless crickets or camel crickets) features:
• Size: 5 to 25 mm long.
• Body Shape: Elongated, flattened, with a camel-like appearance.
• Wings: Wingless.
• Antennae: Long and thread-like.
• Mouthparts: Chewing, for feeding on organic matter.
• Legs: Long and spiny, adapted for crawling and jumping.
• Habitat: Dark, damp environments; nocturnal.
• Feeding: Scavengers of dead organic matter and fungi.
 ENDOPTERYGOTA ORDERS
20. Order Neuroptera
Neuroptera, commonly known as lacewings and antlions, have the following features:
• Size: Small to medium-sized, typically 5 to 50 mm long.
• Wings: Four membranous wings with extensive venation, often giving a lace-like
appearance.
• Body Shape: Elongated and slender.
• Antennae: Long, thread-like, often with many segments.
• Mouthparts: Chewing mouthparts in larvae; adults may also have chewing mouthparts
but some feed on nectar.
• Larvae: Predatory, feeding on other insects, and sometimes have unique adaptations like
large mandibles.
Neuroptera are known for their role in controlling pest populations and their distinctive wing
patterns.

21. Order Siphonaptera

•Wingless: Fleas do not have wings but are excellent jumpers, using their powerful hind legs to
leap long distances.
•Flattened Body: Their bodies are laterally flattened, making it easier to move through their
host’s fur or feathers.
•Piercing-Sucking Mouthparts- Both sexes suck blood
•Small Size: Most fleas range from 1 to 3 millimeters in length..
•Life Cycle: Fleas undergo complete metamorphosis with four stages—egg, larva, pupa, and
adult. The larvae are worm-like and do not feed on blood.
•Disease Vectors: Fleas are known to transmit diseases such as the plague and typhus.
•Xenopsylla Cheopis
22. Order Coleoptera
Coleoptera, commonly known as beetles, have the following features:
• Size: Varies widely, from 0.5 mm to over 150 mm long.
• Wings: Two pairs of wings; the forewings are hardened into elytra that protect the
membranous hind wings used for flight.
• Body Shape: Diverse, but generally with a more or less rounded or cylindrical shape.
 • Antennae: Variable in length and shape, often segmented.
• Mouthparts: Chewing mouthparts adapted for a variety of feeding habits.
• Habitat: Found in almost all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.
Beetles exhibit a wide range of forms and ecological roles, making them the most diverse order
of insects.

23. Order Lepidoptera

• Wings Covered in Scales
• Complete Metamorphosis: They undergo four life stages—egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa
(chrysalis or cocoon), and adult.
• Mouthparts: Most adult Lepidoptera have a coiled, tube-like proboscis for feeding on
nectar. Caterpillars, however, have chewing mouthparts.
• Antennae: Butterflies typically have thin, clubbed antennae, while moths often have
feathery or filamentous antennae.
• Day and Night Activity: Butterflies are usually diurnal (active during the day), while
moths are mostly nocturnal (active at night).

24. Order Hymenoptera

• Two Pairs of Wings: with the forewings larger than the hindwings.
• Narrow Waist: Many Hymenoptera, especially ants, bees, and wasps, have a distinct
constriction between the thorax and abdomen (the "wasp waist")-petiole.
• Social and Solitary Species: Hymenoptera includes both social species (like honeybees
and ants) and solitary species (like many wasps).
• Ovipositor or Sting: Females often possess an ovipositor for laying eggs, which in some
species has evolved into a stinger for defense or capturing prey..
• Chewing or Sucking Mouthparts: Hymenoptera may have chewing mouthparts (ants,
sawflies) or specialized structures for sucking nectar (bees).
• Pollinators and Predators: Many are important pollinators (e.g., bees), while others are
predators or parasitoids, helping control pest populations.
25. Order Diptera
• One Pair of Wings: Unlike most insects, Diptera have only one pair of functional wings
(forewings); the hindwings are reduced to small structures called halteres that help with
balance during flight.
• Diverse Mouthparts: They exhibit various types of mouthparts—some have
piercing-sucking mouthparts (mosquitoes), while others have sponging mouthparts
(houseflies) for feeding on liquids.
• Complete Metamorphosis: Diptera undergo four developmental stages—egg, larva
(often maggots), pupa, and adult.
• Large Compound Eyes: Most Diptera have well-developed compound eyes that provide
excellent vision.
• Disease Vectors: Many Diptera, like mosquitoes and tsetse flies, are known vectors of
diseases such as malaria, dengue, and sleeping sickness.

26. Order Strepsiptera

• Common Name: Stylops
• Host: Endoparasites in bees, wasps, ants, cockroaches, and leafhoppers.
• Morphology:
• Males: Free-living, with reduced forewings (pseudohalteres) and large, membranous hind
wings. They live only a few hours.
• Females: Apterous (wingless), live a permanent parasitic life, remaining inside the host
body.
• Antennae are conspicuous and flabellate.
• Life Cycle:
• Development is hypermetamorphic, involving maggot-like larvae and an exarate pupa
(pupa with free appendages).
• Example: Stylops melittae, Neostylops shannoni

27. Order Mecoptera

• Common Name: Scorpion flies
• Host: Inhabit moist environments such as forests and grasslands, feed on decaying
vegetation and dead invertebrates.
• Morphology:
• Moderate to small-sized insects (9-25 mm).
• The head is prolonged into a beak-like rostrum with mandibulate mouthparts.
• Wings: Two pairs of membranous wings, held roof-like over the abdomen at rest.
• Males have distinct genitalia that resemble a scorpion's sting.
• Life Cycle:
• Larvae: Eruciform (caterpillar-like).
• Pupa: Exarate type.
• Example: Panorpa communis, Hylobittacus apicali

28. Order Trichoptera

• Common Name: Caddisflies
• Host: Aquatic larvae found in freshwater habitats, feed on organic matter, algae, and
organisms growing underwater.
• Morphology:
• Small to moderate-sized insects with thread-like antennae.
• Wings: Two pairs, membranous, densely hairy, and held roof-like over the back.
• Mandibles are vestigial or absent.
• Life Cycle:
• Larvae: Aquatic, respire through tracheal gills, live in cases made of various materials,
and have hooked caudal appendages.
• Pupa: Exarate.
• Example: Georgium japonicum, Hydropsyche cinerea