The insect suborder Homoptera includes cicadas, hoppers, psyllids, whiteflies, aphids and scale insects. Here are a few facts about insects belonging to the suborder Homoptera: Several groups: Cicadas, Hoppers, Psyllids, Whiteflies, Aphids, Scale insects. Closely related to Heteroptera. (Heteroptera and Homoptera are suborders of order Hemiptera) Structure of wings: front wings have unifrom structure, either […]
The insect suborder Heteroptera includes the true bugs. Here are a few facts about insects belonging to the suborder Heteroptera: Bugs (true bugs) Closely related to Homoptera. (Heteroptera and Homoptera are suborders of order Hemiptera) Front wing structure: basal portion thickened, apical portion is membranous Hind wings: membranous, shorter than front wings At rest, wings
The order Hemiptera is divided in two suborders: Heteroptera (Bugs) Homoptera (Cicadas, Hoppers, Psyllids, Whiteflies, Aphids, and Scale insects) Click on the links to read more about these two sub-orders.
The insect order Diptera includes the true flies. Here are a few facts about insects belonging to the order Diptera: Flies Only 1 pair of wings (on mesothorax). Hind wings are reduced to halteres. Mostly small insects. Importance as plant pests, but also bloodsucking flies, important as vectors of human and animal diseases (malaria, sleeping
The insect order Coleoptera includes the beetles. Here are a few facts about insects belonging to the order Coleoptera: Beetles Largest insect order. More than 250,000 known species. About 40% of all insect species belongs to this order. Size from very small (< 1 mm) to very big (± 125 mm) Vary in their habits.
When you want to identify an insect the first step is to find out in which Order it is classified. For this you can use a dichotomous key. A dichotomous key is a tool that uses paired statements or questions to guide you to the solution. To use the key, start at the top and
Key to insect orders Read More »
Taxonomy is the study of the principles of scientific classification. In this page we will learn how insects are classified. First we will see where insects belong in the animal kingdom. Then we will find out how the different insects are sorted in groups. Classification of animals The animal kingdom is divided in a number
Insect classification Read More »
Butterflies lay eggs. Usually they will put the egg on a leaf. A small larva will emerge from the egg. The larva of a butterfly is called a caterpillar. It will start eating the leaf. During its life it will molt a few times. Each time it becomes bigger. Then it will become a pupa.
Metamorphosis of butterflies Read More »
Insects are small. Therefore it is not easy for them to find each other by just looking around. Instead they have developed other ways to find each other: sound and smell. Some insects find each other by making special sounds that they can recognize. Others find each other by using smell. Insects make sounds There
Everybody loves butterflies. This page provides some basic information on butterflies. Actually, it is not only about butterflies but also about moths. We will learn how to recognize butterflies and we learn about their life cycle. There will be some information on how to rear butterflies at home or in your classroom, and this page
Butterflies for beginners Read More »
