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Ants, Bees & Wasps
(12 records)
Hymenoptera membranous wing; Hymen = membrane, ptera = wings. Winged forms of ants, bees and wasps possess 2 pair of membranous wings. |
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Butterflies & Moths
(67 records)
Lepidoptera means scale wings; lepido = scale, ptera = wings. Wings of butterflies and moths are often covered with a colorful mosaic of minute scales. |
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Flies
(7 records)
Diptera means two wings; di = two, ptera = wings. Flies do very well with their single pair of fore wings. The hind pair are often reduced to a couple of knob-like balance organs. |
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Beetles
(16 records)
Coleoptera means sheath wings; coleo - sheath, ptera = wings. Beetles front pair of wings are modified to hardened casings, known as elytra, to protect the hind wings and body below. |
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Lacewings & Antlions
(1 record)
Neuroptera means nerve wings; neuro = nerve, ptera = wings. Wings of these insects are constructed with an elaborate network of supporting veins. |
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Cicada, Hoppers & Aphids
(7 records)
Homoptera means uniform wings; homo = alike, ptera = wings. The front wings of these insects have a uniform textured appearance in contrast to their Hemiptera relatives. |
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True Bugs
(12 records)
Hemiptera means half wings; hemi = half, ptera = wings. The front wings of these insects are divided between a thickened basal region and a membranous tip. |
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Cockroaches
(1 record)
Cockroaches are fast-running insects often with wings. A few well know species have successfully evolved to exploit human dwellings and food supplies. |
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Mantids
(1 record)
Mantodea means soothsayer; a person claiming to be able to predict the future. These insects have highly modified front legs often held in a position suggestive of prayer. |
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Grasshoppers & Crickets
(9 records)
Orthoptera means straight wings; ortho = straight, ptera = wings. These insects often have a pair of elongated and thickened forewings and a membranous hind pair. |
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Walking Sticks
(3 records)
Stick insects are usually extremely elongated and twig-like in appearance. Sometimes this camouflage is taken a step further with the addition of leaf-like structures. |
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Dragonflies & Damselflies
(7 records)
Odonata means tooth. Apart from jet propulsion, the aquatic nymph often possess an extendable jaw capable of catching prey some distance away from the rest of the head. |
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Mayflies
(1 record)
Ephemeroptera means short-lived wings; emphemera = one day, ptera = wings. After a year or more as an aquatic nymph, adults emerge in swarming nuptial flights and live for only a day or so. |
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Some Are Not Insects
(6 records)
Arthropod means segmented feet; arthro = joint, poda = foot. Including insects, this huge group contain animals often mistaken for insects such as spiders and centipedes. |