CMG GardenNtes #313 Insect Orders Outline Anplura: sucking lice, page 1 Blattaria: cckraches and wdraches, page 2 Cleptera: beetles, page 2 Cllembla: springtails, page 4 Dermaptera: earwigs, page 4 Diptera: flies, page 5 Ephemerptera: mayflies, page 6 Hemiptera (subrder Heterptera): true bugs, page 7 Hemiptera (subrders Auchenrrhyncha and Sternrrhyncha): aphids, cicadas, leafhppers, mealybugs, scale and whiteflies, page 8 Hymenptera: ants, bees, hrntails, sawflies, and wasp, page 9 Isptera: termites, page 11 Lepidptera: butterflies and mths, page 12 Mallphaga: chewing and biting lice, page 13 Mantdea: mantids, page 14 Neurptera: antlins, lacewings, snakeflies and dbsnflies, page 14 Odnata: dragnflies and damselflies, page 15 Orthptera: crickets, grasshppers, and katydids, page 15 Phasmida: Walking sticks, page 16 Plecptera: stneflies, page 16 Pscptera: Pscids r bklice, page 17 Siphnaptera: Fleas, page 17 Thysanptera: Thrips, page 17 Trichptera: Caddisflies, page 18 Zygentmaa: Silverfish and Firebrats, page 18 Anplura Sucking Lice Feeds by sucking bld frm mammals. Sme species (head lice and crabs lice) feed n humans. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Features: [Figure 1] 313-1 Figure 1. Sucking lice Wingless Muthparts: Piercing/sucking, designed t feed n bld. Bdy: Small head with larger, pear-shaped thrax and nine segmented abdmen.
Blattaria (Subclass f Dictyptera) Cckraches and Wdraches Mst species are fund in warmer subtrpical t trpical climates. The German, Oriental and American cckrach are indr pests. Wdraches live utdrs feeding n decaying bark and ther debris. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Figure 2. American cckrach Features: [Figure 2] Bdy: Flattened Antennae: Lng, thread-like Muthparts: Chewing Wings: If present, are thickened, semi-transparent with distinct veins and lay flat. Cleptera Beetles and Weevils Cleptera is the largest rder f insects with 290,000 species wrldwide and sme 24,000 species in Nrth America. Many species are plant feeders; sme are predaceus (grund and lady beetles), scavengers (scarab and hide beetles), r aquatic. The term weevil refers t a snut beetle. Metamrphsis: Cmplete [Figure 3] Figure 3. Cleptera metamrphsis (left t right): egg, grub, pupa, and adult Adults: Wings: tw pair Frnt pair, called elytra, are greatly thickened and shell-like (frm fitting) and make a straight line dwn the back when at rest. Hind wings are membranus and prtected by the frnt pair. A few beetles are wingless, r have nly the frnt pair. Muthparts: Chewing Antennae: Nticeable, generally quite stut Cerci (tail-like appendage): Nne Larva: Legs: Larva that feed externally n plants are the typical grub with head capsule, three pair f legs n thrax, and n prlegs n the abdmen. [Figure 4] 313-2
Sme larva that feed internally in plants (e.g., bark beetles, and wd brers) may be maggt-like with n head capsule and n legs. Muthparts: Chewing Figure 4. Grub with head capsule, three pair f legs n the thrax, and n prlegs n abdmen. Beneficial families include: Blister beetles, Melidae Carrin beetles, Silphidae Checkered beetles, Eleridae Darkling beetles, Tenebrinidae Fireflies, Lampyridae Grund beetles, Carabidae Lady beetles, Cccinellidae Rve beetles, Staphylinidae Scarab beetles, Scarabaeidae Sldier beetles, Cantharidae Tiger beetles, Cicindelidae Pest families include: Bark and ambrsia beetles, Sclytidae Blister beetles, Melidae Carpet beetles, Dermestidae Click beetles r wirewrms, Elateridae Grund beetles, Carabidae Leaf beetles, Chrysmelidae Lnghrned beetles r rundheaded brers, Cerambycidae Metallic wd beetles r flatheaded brers, Buprestidae Sap beetles, Nitidulidae Scarab beetles including rse chafer, Scarabaeidae Seed beetles, Bruchidae Weevils, Curculinidae Figure 5. Examples f cmmn beetles 313-3
Cllembla Springtails Very tiny (1-2 mm) sft-bdied insect almst always assciated with sil. Very cmmn but rarely bserved due t tiny size. Mst feed n algae, fungi, and ther rganic matter. Sme are predatrs f ther insects and mites fund in the sil. Metamrphsis: Nne Features: [Figure 6] Wingless Muthparts: Chewing Springtail : (furcula) ften present, used t jump. Figure 6. Springtail Dermaptera Earwigs Intrduced frm Eurpe as a bilgical cntrl. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Features: [Figure 7] Muthparts: Chewing; generally feed n decaying rganic matter, ccasinally n plants and insects. Wings: 2 pair Frnt wings are shrt, leathery, withut venatin and meet in a straight line dwn the back when at rest. Hind wings are membranus, brad, with veins radiating frm a center, flded bth lengthwise and crsswise when at rest. Nte: Wings can be cnfused with thse f beetles, but beetles d nt have frceps-like cerci (tail-like appendage). Bdy: Elngated, flattened insects Cerci: Strng mveable frceps-like cerci n the abdmen end. Cerci cannt prduce a painful pinch, but the muthparts can. Habit: Over-winters as adults. During the day, earwigs hide in dark, mist areas. They are ften assumed t cause a plant prblem when they may simply be hiding n r near the plant. Figure 7. Earwigs: Female (left) has straight cerci, male (right) has curved cerci. 313-4
Diptera Flies, Gnats, Midges, and Msquites Arund 99,000 species wrldwide, with sme 17,000 in Nrth America. Feeding habits vary widely, fr example Scavenger (huse fly, blw fly) Bld sucking (msquites) Plant galls (gall midges) Predatrs (flwer flies, rbber flies) Aquatic Metamrphsis: Cmplete [Figure 8] Figure 8. Cmplete metamrphsis f flies. Adults [Figures 8-10] Wings: One pair, membranus One pair is a quick identifcatin fr Diptera. Nte: Cunt the wings! Sme Diptera lk like bees r wasps. Sme Hymenptera (bees and wasps) lk like flies. Diptera has ne pair. Hymenptera have tw pair, the hind pair is typically smaller and hidden under the frnt pair. Muthparts: Highly variable Spnging (huse fly) Cutting-lapping (hrse fly) Piercing-sucking (msquit) Bdy: Typically sft bdied and ften hairy. Figure 9. Huse fly. Larva [Figures 8 and 10] Vary greatly in appearance. Larva f advanced frms, like the huse fly, are maggt type N head capsule Muth hks Legless Lwer frms, such as msquites, have a head capsule. Pupa: Typically pupate in last skin f larva. Beneficial families include: Bee flies, Bmbyliidae Crane flies, Tipulidae Gall gnats Cecidmylidae Rbber flies, Asilidae Syrphid r flwer flies, Syrphidae Tachinid flies, Tachinidae Figure 10. Msquit maggt and adult. 313-5
Pest families include: Cabbage, nin, and seed crn maggts, beet leaf miner, Anthmyiids Biting midges, Certpgnidae Black flies, Simuliidae Blw flies, Calliphridae Crane flies, Tipulidae Fruit flies, Tephritidae Gall gnats Cecidmylidae Hrse and deer flies, Tabanidae Hrse bt flies, Hippbscidae Leafminer flies, Agrmyzidae Msquites, Culicidae Muscids (huse flies), Muscidae Sand flies (n-see-ums), Psychdidae Syrphid r flwer flies, Syrphidae Vinegar flies, Drsphilidae Ephemerptera Mayflies Small aquatic naiads fund in the bttm f streams and lakes. Serves as a surce f fd fr fish. N interactin with gardening activities. Metamrphsis: Simple/Incmplete Adults: [Figure 11] Wings: tw pair Frnt wings large and triangular shaped. Hind wings small and runded. Wings held vertically ver bdy. Antennae: Small, bristle-like Filaments: Tw very lng tail-like filaments. Muthparts: Adults d nt feed and nly live a few days. Figure 11. Mayfly adult Naiads: [Figure 12] Bdy: Aquatic naiads vary in shape, mst are brad, and have functinal gills alng the sides f the abdmen. Muthparts: Chewing. Mlting: Frequent; 20 t 60 times Figure 12. Mayfly naiad. 313-6
Hemiptera Order, Subrder: Heterptera TRUE BUGS: Plant Bugs, Squash Bugs, Stink Bugs Nte: Research has led t the re-rdering f insects. True bugs are the Hemiptera rder, but nw have their wn subrder. In lder references yu will still find Hemiptera withut the subrders. This rder includes many imprtant insect predatrs. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual [Figure 13] Figure 13. Metamrphsis f stink bugs. Features: [Figure 14] Muthparts: Piercing-sucking Jinted beak is typically visible, and riginates frm tp f head in frnt f eyes. Wings: tw pair Frnt wings (called hemielytra) are thickened at base and membranus at end. Hind wings are membranus. When at rest, the wings verlap at the tips frming a large triangular plate (the scutellum) n the back. Bdy: Usually brad and smewhat flattened Beneficial families include: Ambush bugs, Phymatidae Assassin bugs, Reduvlidae Creids, Creidae Damsel bugs, Nabidae Flwer r minute pirate bugs, Antcridae Leaf r plant bugs, Miridae Stink bugs, Pentatmidae Pest families include: Chinch and lygus bugs, Lygaeidae Creids, squash bugs, Creidae Lace bugs, Tingidae Stink bugs, Pentatmidae 313-7
Figure 14. Examples f cmmn Hemiptera (true bugs) Hemiptera Order, Subrder: Auchenrrhyncha Hemiptera Order, Subrder: Sternrrhynca Aphids, Cicadas, Leafhppers, Mealybugs, Scale and Whiteflies Nte: Research has led t the re-rdering f insects. These insects used t be in their wn rder, Hmptera, but are nw a sub-rder f Hemiptera. Yu will still find references t Hmptera. Yu may als still find references t Hemiptera withut the subrders. All species are plant feeders, ften feeding n phlem sap. Excretin f hneydew is cmmn t many members f the rder. Insects f this rder are carriers f several plant pathgens. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Nymphs and adults similar in appearance (except male scales and whiteflies). Features: [Figure 15] Muthparts: Piercing-sucking Auchenrrhyncha muthparts arise frm under the head; Sternrrhyncha muthparts arise frm between the frelegs.the jinted beak-like muthparts nt easily visible. Nte: In cntrast, in the Heterptera subrder, muthparts are mre visible and riginate frm tp f head, in frnt f eyes. Wings: tw pair Membranus Typically held rf-like at rest Many frms are wingless 313-8
Nymphs have n wings, but wing pads may be bserved n sme lder nymphs. Pest families include: Subrder Auchenrrhyncha: Cicadas, Cicadidae Leafhppers, Cicadellidae Planthppers, superfamily Fulgridea Spittlebugs, Cercpidae Treehppers, Membracidae Subrder Sternrrhyncha: Adelgids, Phyllxeridae Aphids, Aphididae Armred scales, Diaspididae Mealybugs, Pseudcccidae Psyllids (many gall insects), Psyllidae Sft scale, Cccidae Whiteflies, Aleyrdidae Figure 15. Examples f cmmn Hemiptera in either Auchenrrhyncha r Sternrrhyncha Hymenptera Ants, Bees, Hrntails, Sawflies, and Wasps Large rder with sme 103,000 species wrldwide and 18,000 in Nrth America. Order includes many imprtant parasites and predatrs. This rder has the mst highly develped insect behavirs and scial patterns. Mst species live in nests. Metamrphsis: Cmplete 313-9
Adults [Figure 16] Wings: 2 pair, membranus Hind wing is usually smaller and ften hidden under frnt wing. Frnt and hind wings may be attached. Muthparts: Typically chewing r chewing-sucking Bdy: Mst species have a distinct cnstrictin between the thrax and abdmen (wasp waist). The sawfly/hrntail grup des nt have a wasp waist ). Antennae: Jinted, smetimes elbwed Stinger: Female abdmen usually prvided with a saw, piercing rgan, r stinger. Larva Larvae f mst species are rarely bserved, ften develping in a nest r as an internal parasite. Head: Distinct head capsule Legs: Nne (except sawfly larva) Sawfly larva lk like caterpillars but have six-plus pair f prlegs. Nte: Caterpillars (Lepidptera) have five r fewer pair prlegs. Sme sawfly larva are legless and slug-like. Muthparts: Chewing Wasp r Bee? Wasps have a slender and thin bdy, a narrw waist, slender, cylindrical legs and a skin that generally lacks much hair. Yellw jackets, bald-faced hrnets, and paper wasps are the mst cmmn wasps encuntered by peple. Wasps are predatrs, feeding n insects and ther arthrpds. During late summer and autumn when insect prey becmes mre scarce, many wasps becme scavengers and are especially attracted t sweets and ther carbhydrates. Bees are rbust-bdied and very hairy cmpared with wasps. The hair n bees is branched giving them a fuzzy r sft appearance. Their hind legs are flattened, with bristle-fringed areas fr cllecting and transprting pllen. Bees laden with pllen will appear t have yellw hind legs because f the pllen lads. Bees are vegetarians, feeding n nectar and pllen. Beneficial families include: Ants and parasitic wasps, superfamily Scliidea Bees, superfamily Apidea Chalcid wasps, Chalcididea Digger wasps, superfamily Sphecidea Ichneumn and bracnid wasps, superfamily Ichneumnidea Scial wasps, superfamily Vespidea Pest families include: Ants, superfamily Scliidea Gall wasps, superfamily Cynipidea 313-10
Hrntails, superfamily Siricidea Sawflies, Tenthredinidae Scial wasps, superfamily Vespidea Figure 16. Examples f cmmn Hymenptera Isptera Termites Termites are scial insects living in clnies. Clrad species live belw grund. Wrkers avid expsure and are rarely seen except when disturbed. Only the winged reprductive adults leave the clny. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Features: [Figure 17] Clr: Creamy white Wings: tw pair that are the same size and lnger than the bdy. Bdy: rectangular-shaped with NO cnstrictin (wasp waist) between thrax and abdmen. Antennae: Straight and beaded Muthparts: Chewing Figure 17. Winged adult termite (left), and wrker termite (right) 313-11
Ant r Termite? Ant Termite Clr Black, red, yellwish, etc. Creamy white Waistline Wasp waist N cnstrictin Antennae Jinted, smetimes elbwed Straight and bead-like Wings n adult Wrker s bdy Observed Frnt wing larger and hind wing smaller; wings may be attached. Typical ant shape Cmmnly seen crawling arund Frnt and hind wings same size, lnger than bdy. Rectangular bdy with large chewing muthparts Wrker termite rarely seen except when disturbed. Lepidptera Butterflies and Mths Metamrphsis: Cmplete Adults [Figure 18] Wings: Tw pair Typically cvered with small verlapping scales. Often but nt always highly clred. Muthparts: Ciled sucking tube designed t siphn fluids like nectar. Sme adults d nt feed. Figure 18. The wings f butterflies and mths are generally cvered with clrful scales. Larva: Caterpillars [Figure 19] Legs: Three pair n thrax Prlegs: Up t five pair f prlegs (fleshy leg-like appendage with crchetlike hks n the end which helps hld the insect t plants). Nte: Sawfly larva lk like caterpillars but typically have six r mre pair prlegs. Decratins: Often highly clred r decrated with spines r ther appendages. Muthparts: Chewing, with vracius appetites. 313-12
Figure 19. Caterpillars (larval stage f Lepidptera) have three pair f jinted legs n the thrax plus up t five pair f prlegs n the abdmen. Pupa Ccn, made f silk spun frm saliva glands Families f interest include: Bagwrm mths, Psychidae Carpenterwrm mths, Cssidae Clearwing mths (squash vine brer, lilac brer), Sesiidae Giant silkwrm mths, Saturniidae Leafrllers, Trtricidae Measuringwrms, Gemetridae Mnarch, vicery, red admiral, mrningclak and angelwings butterflies, Nymphalidae Nctuids (cutwrms, armywrms, fruitwrms, crn earwrm, cabbage lpers), Nctuidae Olethreutid mths, Olethreutidae Prminents (redhumped caterpillars), Ntdntidae Pyralids (crn brer, sd webwrm, meal mths), Pyralidae Ryal mths, Citherniidae Silkwrm mths, Bmbycidae Sphinx r hawk mth, hrnwrms, Sphingidae Swallwtail r parsleywrm, Papilinidae Tent caterpillars, Lasicampidae Tineids, (clths mths), Tineidae Tussck mths, Lymantriidae White r yellw butterflies (imprted cabbagewrm), Pieridae Mallphaga Chewing r Biting Lice Tiny parasite f birds and sme mammals. Feeds n bld, feathers, hair, skin, r sebaceus fluids. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Features: [Figure 20] Flattened, val Head larger than thrax Antenna shrt Eyes very small r absent N wings Legs shrt and mdified t hld t feathers r fur Lives nly n hsts Figure 20. Chewing lice. 313-13
Mantdea Mantids Predatrs f ther insects, which they capture with frnt legs and eat. Winter is spent in the egg mass cvered with a tugh plystyrene-like cat. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Features: [Figure 21] Legs: Freleg designed fr grasping and hlding prey Bdy: Elngated Muthparts: Chewing Antennae: Lng, thread-like Wings: If present, are leathery and ver abdmen. Absent in nymphs. Figure 21. Mantid Neurptera Antlin, Lacewing, Snakeflies, and Dbsnflies Order includes many imprtant predatrs. N harmful species are knwn. The antlin is the larva f the cmmn lacewing. Sme frms are aquatic. Metamrphsis: Cmplete Adults [Figure 22] Wings: Tw pairs Membranus, similar in size and texture Large membranus wing, usually with many veins and crss veins. Held rf-like ver bdy when at rest. Muthparts: Chewing; sme are predatrs, while thers feed n nectar r pllen. Cerci: Nne Tarsus (ft): Five segments Figure 22. Lacewings: Left: adult, Right: Antlin (lacewing larva) Larva [Figure 23] Muthparts: Frward-prjecting curved pinted jaws designed t grasp prey, which they crush and suck ut the insides. 313-14
Bdy: Often elngated Legs: Three pair Figure 23. Antlin (lacewing larva) Odnata Dragnflies and Damselflies Metamrphsis: Simple/Incmplete Adults [Figure 24] Eyes: Very large eyes that may cver much f head. Wings: Tw pair Large, elngated, highly veined. Dragnflies hld wings hrizntally when at rest. Damselflies prject wings back ver bdy when at rest. Muthparts: Chewing, prminent, used t capture and cnsume winged prey in flight. Antennae: Small, bristle-like Figure 24. Dragnfly adult Naiads [Figure 25] Aquatic insect that feeds n msquit larva and ther aquatic life Eyes: Large Muthparts: Uniquely hinged jaw that can prject frward t capture prey. Gills: Three leaf-like gills at end f abdmen (damselfly nly.) Figure 25. Dragnfly naiad Orthptera Crickets, Grasshppers, and Katydids Nte: Older bks place mantids (Mantdea), walking sticks (Phasmida) and raches (Blattaria) in the rder Orthptera. Mst are plant feeders. A few are predatrs r scavengers. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Features [Figure 26] Muthparts: Chewing Wings: Tw pair Frnt wings mre r less parchment-like with distinct venatins. Hind wings membranus and flded fan-like when at rest. Wings may be used t make sunds. Legs: Hind legs enlarged fr jumping. Cerci (tail-like appendages): 1 pair n mst adults 313-15
Pest families include: Crickets, Gryliidae Shrt-hrned grasshppers, Acrididae Lng-hrned grasshppers (katydids, meadw grasshppers, and Mrmn crickets), Tettigniidae Figure 26. Orthptera (left t right): grasshpper, cricket, and katydid. Phasmida Walking Stick Feeds n plant leaves. Stick-like frm prvides camuflage. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Features: [Figure 27] Bdy: Very elngated, sticklike Muthparts: Chewing Wings: typically nne Figure 27. Walking stick Plecptera Stneflies Aquatic naiads cling t stnes in streams and serve as fd fr ther aquatic insects and fish. There is n direct interactin with gardening activities. Metamrphsis: Simple/Incmplete Adults [Figure 28] Wings: Tw pair, elngated wings fld flat ver bdy when at rest. Antennae: Lng, filament-like Filament: (tail-like): Tw Figure 28 Stnefly adult Naiads [Figure 29] Aquatic naiad typically fund under stnes in rivers and lake shres. Figure 29. Stnefly naiad. 313-16
Pscptera Pscids r Bklice Cmmn but incnspicuus insect rarely bserved due t tiny size. Fund in warm, damp places feeding n mlds, fungi, cereals, pllen, etc. Occasinally invade the hme. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Features: [Figure 30] Size: Tiny, less than 1/8 inch Wings: Tw pair n sme adults Held rf-like ver bdy when at rest Frnt pair larger Veins prminent Nn-winged specimens cmmn Muthparts: Chewing Antennae: Slender and as lng r lnger than bdy Figure 30. Bklice Siphnaptera Fleas Husehld pest f pets and peple. Metamrphsis: Cmplete Adults [Figure 31] Size: Less than 1/8 inch Wingless Bdy: Flattened sideways, dark clred, cvered with bristles that prject backwards Muthparts: Piercing/sucking, designed t suck bld. Figure 31. Flea Thysanptera Thrips It is a very cmmn insect, but due t tiny size is rarely bserved. Feeding leaves the plant lking scarred, as they rasp the leaf r flwer surface and suck the fluids. Metamrphsis: Simple/Gradual Features: [Figure 32] Wings: Tw pair Slender wings fringed with hairs 313-17
Often absent. Muthparts: Rasping-sucking; typically feed n flwers and leaves. Tarsi (feet): One r tw segmented, each with a balln-like structure n the end. Size: Minute, less than 1/8 inch lng. Figure 32. Thrips Trichptera Caddisflies Aquatic naiad. Nt assciated with gardening activities. Metamrphsis: Simple/Incmplete Adults [Figure 33] Wings: Tw pair Cvered with fine hairs Held rf-like ver bdy at rest Resemble mths with hairy wings. Antennae: Extended back ver bdy Figure 33. Caddisfly Naiads Aquatic naiad Sme live in cases cnstructed f silk, pebbles, sticks, and leaves. Others cnstruct silken nests. Sme are free-living and actively hunt ther insects. Zygentmaa Silverfish and Firebrats Fund in cl, mist, dark places. General feeder n starches and carbhydrates, including paper, wall paper, vegetables and grain prducts. Metamrphsis: Nne Features: [Figure 34] Size: Small, ¼ t ½ Wingless Muthparts: Chewing Cerci: Pair, lng tail-like Active, fast mving Figure 34. Silverfish 313-18
Additinal Infrmatin CMG GardenNtes n Identify Insects #310 Identifying Insects: Reference and Study Questins #311 Taxnmy f Arthrpds (Insects and Insect Relatives) #312 Insect Anatmy and Grwth #313 Insect Orders #314 Key #1 Key t Insects Assciated with Gardening #315 Key #2 Key t Insect Orders #316 Wrksheet: Identifying Insects #317 Hmewrk: Identifying Insects Authr: David Whiting, Cnsumer Hrticulture Specialist (retired), Clrad State University Extensin. Line drawings frm USDA. Revised by Mary Small, Clrad State University. Clrad Master Gardener GardenNtes are available nline at www.cmg.clstate.edu. Clrad Master Gardener training is made pssible, in part, by a grant frm the Clrad Garden Shw, Inc. Clrad State University, U.S. Department f Agriculture and Clrad cunties cperating. Extensin prgrams are available t all withut discriminatin. N endrsement f prducts mentined is intended nr is criticism implied f prducts nt mentined. Cpyright 2005-2014. Clrad State University Extensin. All Rights Reserved. CMG GardenNtes may be reprduced, withut change r additins, fr nnprfit educatinal use. Revised July 2017 313-19