Synopsis of 6 Most Common Insect Orders

Order Metamorphosis Mouthparts Wings Other
Orthoptera
crickets, grasshoppers, and katydids
incomplete chewing (A & N) 4, 1st pr. leathery, 2nd pr. membranous; a few lack wings jumping back legs; mostly plant feeders
Hemiptera
true bugs, cicadas, hoppers, aphids, scales, etc.
incomplete piercing-sucking (A & N) 4, 1st pair hemelytrous or leathery or membranous; 2nd pair membranous; a few lack wings many plant feeders
Coleoptera
beetles
complete chewing (A & L) 4, 1st pair hardened habits varied incl. many plant feeders
Diptera
true flies
complete sucking (A), chewing-rasping (L) 2, membranous adults feed on liquids; some larvae plant feeders, most decaying organic matter
Lepidoptera
butterflies and moths
complete sucking-siphoning (A), chewing (L) 4, wings covered with scales adults mostly feed on nectar; larvae plant feeders
Hymenoptera
sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants
complete chewing (A & sawfly L) 4, membranous

A = adults
N = nymphs
L = larvae