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Insect Orders
Group containing terms related to the different Orders of insects.
Terms in this group
- Biological classification
the process by which scientists group living organisms. - Blattodea
an Order of insects that contains the cockroaches. Cockroaches are some of the most despised insects despite there being only about 25 species that are considered pests. - Coleoptera
the Coleoptera/beetles are regarded as the most species rich of all the Orders of insects. - Dermaptera
Dermaptera (or earwigs) are an Order of insects. The abdomen ends in characteristic pincers called cerci. - Diptera
the Diptera/true flies are an Order of insects. Characteristically they have one pair of wings, the hind wings being reduced to balance organs called halteres. - Embioptera
the Embioptera/Web-spinners are an Order of insects capable of producing silk from glands in their front legs. - Ephemeroptera
the Ephemeroptera/mayflies are an Order of insects with an aquatic larval stage. The adults are very short lived with some living for just one day. - Hemiptera
the Hemiptera/true bugs are an Order of insects including the aphids and shieldbugs. - Hymenoptera
the Order of insects containing the bees, ants and wasps. - Insects
the largest Class of arthropods and the most diverse group of animals in the world. - Isoptera
previously the name given to the Order of insects containing the termites. Recent work has shown that termites are social cockroaches and not a separate Order. - Lepidoptera
butterflies and Moths/Order Lepidoptera are probably the most widely studied order of invertebrates. The Order comprises some 160,000 species. - Mantodea
the Mantodea (or Praying mantids) are an Order of predatory insects. Praying mantids get their common name from the stance they commonly adopt. - Mecoptera
the Mecoptera (or Scorpionflies) are an Order of insects containing around 300 species worldwide. - Megaloptera
the Order Megaloptera are primitive insects. The Order contains about 300 species. Insects in the Order are known by a variety of names including Alderflies, Dobsonflies and Fishflies. - Microcoryphia
an Order of insects within the Apterygota (wingless insects). - Neuroptera
the Order Neuroptera are primitive insects. The Order contains about 4,000 species. Insects in the Order are known by a variety of names including Lacewings, Antlions and Mantidflies. - Odonata
the Odonata (or dragonflies and damselflies) are an Order of insects. They have large, membranous wings and the larvae are usually aquatic predators. - Orthoptera
the Orthoptera (or grasshoppers and crickets) are an Order of insects. They commonly have large hind legs that are used for jumping. - Phasmatodea
the Stick and Leaf insects (Order Phasmatodea) are insects well known for their camouflage. They are commonly kept as pets. - Phthiraptera
wingless ectoparasites. There are two main kinds of lice (Order Phthiraptera); the biting lice and the sucking lice. - Plecoptera
the Stoneflies (Order Plecoptera) are a small group of aquatic insect. There are a little under 40 British species. - Psocoptera
the Psocoptera (or booklice and barklice) are an Order of insects. They are small insects but, despite being called lice, are not parasites. - Raphidioptera
the Order Raphidioptera are primitive insects. The Order contains about 200 species and are more commonly known as Snakeflies. - Siphonaptera
the Siphonaptera (or fleas) are an Order of insects. Fleas are well-known parasites on vertebrate animals including humans. - Strepsiptera
the Strepsiptera are an Order of insects. They are parasites living on other insects. - Thysanoptera
the Thysanoptera (thrips or thunderflies) are an Order of insects. They are small insects that can often be found on flower heads. - Thysanura
the Thysanura (or three-pronged bristletails) are an Order of insects. They are wingless and possess three filaments at the end of the abdomen. - Trichoptera
the Trichoptera (caddisflies or, more correctly, Caddises) are an Order of insects. They are well known for their larvae as, in many species, they form a case out of stones of organic matter in which they live. - Zoraptera
the Zoraptera (sometimes called Angel insects) are an Order of insects. They are small insects that live in groups.
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