Synopsis of 6 Most Common Insect Orders

Order	Metamorphosis	Mouthparts	Wings	Other
Orthoptera crickets, grasshoppers, and katydids	incomplete	chewing (A & N)	4, 1^st pr. leathery, 2^nd 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, 1^st pair hemelytrous or leathery or membranous; 2^nd pair membranous; a few lack wings	many plant feeders
Coleoptera beetles	complete	chewing (A & L)	4, 1^st 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