This section helps you start thinking in terms of insect orders. When you want to identify an insect unlike any you've ever seen, being able to determine which order the insect belongs may be the most important first step in the identification process. You can start learning the orders' distinguishing features by playing with our own dandy Key to the "BIG TEN" Insect orders. Among the pages linked to below, pick an identified insect, then see if you can "key it out" to its right order.
HW = "hindwings"
Isoptera (termites)Now lumped with cockroaches in order Blattodea
mouthparts: chewing
metamorphosis: simple
wings: 0-4, HW & FW similar in size
Lepidoptera (butterflies & moths)
mouthparts: sucking
metamorphosis: complete
wings: 0-4, scaly, often colorful
Neuroptera (antlions, lacewings, dobsonflies, etc.)
mouthparts: chewing
metamorphosis: complete
wings: 4, HW as large as FW
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies)
mouthparts: chewing
metamorphosis: simple,
nymphs aquatic
wings: 4, HW as large as FW
Homoptera (cicadas, hoppers, aphids, scale
insects, etc.)Now lumped into order Hemiptera
mouthparts: sucking
metamorphosis: simple
wings: 0-4, FW uniform in texture
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets)
mouthparts: chewing
metamorphosis: simple
wings: 0-4, FW narrow & thick, HW folded
fanwise
Hymenoptera (wasps, bees)
mouthparts: chewing, chewing/sucking
metamorphosis: complete
wings: 0-4, HW smaller than FW