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