This document provides information on the key distinguishing characteristics of different insect orders, including their names, etymologies, antennae, mouthparts, wings, legs and other features. It covers 32 major orders of insects, from Thysanura to Hymenoptera, with 1-4 defining bullet points per order.

1. 1

2. Thysanura
(Silverfish / Firebrats / Bristle tail)
Greek "thysano-" meaning fringed "ura" meaning tail.
 Body relatively flat, tapered
and often covered with scales.
 Compound eyes small or
absent.
 Antennae long, thread-like,
and multisegmented .
 Abdomen with ten complete
segments.
2

3. Diplura
Double tail
The name Diplura, derived from the Greek words
"diplo-" meaning two and "ura" meaning tails.
•These small, eyeless arthropods.
•They have a pair of long beaded
antennae (moniliform) on the head .
•A pair of segmented sensory
structures (cerci).
•Long and slender, or forceps-like
in appearance .
•Tarsi one-segmented .
3

4. Protura
Telson tail
The name Protura, derived from the Greek words "proto-"
meaning first (or original) and "ura" meaning tail.
Antennae absent.
Compound eyes absent.
Front legs directed forward (probably
sensory in function).
Abdomen with 9-12 complete
segments.
Cerci and abdominal filaments
entirely absent.
4

5. Collembola
(Springtails)
The name Collembola, derived from the Greek
"coll" meaning glue and "embol" meaning a wedge.
•Compound and simple eyes
are absent.
•Filliform Antennae present,
•Abdomen 6-segmented .
•Body frequently clothed
with scales .
5

6. 6
Metabola

7. Ephemeroptera
(Mayflies)
 Antennae short and Setaceous.
 Four to nine pairs of leaf-like or
fan-like gills along the sides of the
abdomen .
 Front wings large, triangular
hind wings smaller, fan-shaped
 Three long filaments at rear of
abdomen .
Greek "ephemera" meaning short-lived, "ptera"
meaning wings.
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8. Odonata
(Dragonflies and Damselflies)
Greek "odonto-", meaning tooth, refers to the
strong teeth found on the mandibles of most adults.
Antennae short ,Setaceous.
Compound eyes large.
Four membranous wings.
Chewing mouth part.
 Legs are used either as a basket
for catching prey or as grapples
for clinging to emergent
vegetation.
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9. Plecoptera
(Stoneflies)
Greek "pleco" meaning folded and "ptera"meaning
wing, refers to the pleated hind wings.
• Antennae long, filiform.
• Front wings long and narrow.
• Body flattened.
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10. Grylloblattodea
(Rock Crawlers / Icebugs)
Greek "gryll" meaning cricket and "blatta"
meaning cockroach.
• Antennae slender, filiform .
• Mouthparts is chewing.
• Body cylindrical
• Tarsi 5-segmented .
• Secondarily wingless .
10

11. Orthoptera
(Grasshoppers / Locusts Crickets / Katydids)
Greek "ortho" meaning straight and "ptera" meaning wing.
 Slender, thickened front
wings fold back over the
abdomen to protect
membranous, hind wings.
Chewing mouthpart.
 Hind leg is jumping leg.
 Antennae filiform.
11

12. Phasmida
(Walkingsticks / Stick Insects / Leaf Insects)
Greek "phasm" meaning phantom.
•Antennae short filliform.
•Mouthparts is chewing.
•Body long, cylindrical.
•Meso and meta thorax is
long in Stick insect while
broad in leaf insect.
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13. Dermaptera
(Earwigs)
Greek "derma" meaning skin and "ptera" meaning wings.
Active at night.
 Chewing mouthpart.
Antennae slender, long filliform .
Forewings short, thick,veinless
and leathery .
Hind wings membranous and
folded under forewings.
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14. Embioptera
(Webspinners / Embiids)
Greek "embio" meaning lively and "ptera" meaning wings.
 Antennae slender, filiform .
 Mouthparts is chewing.
 Tarsi 3-segmented,bearing
silk glands .
Asymmetrical circi.
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15. Dictyoptera
The name Blattodea is derived from "blatta", the
Greek word for cockroach.
•Antennae slender, filiform .
•Much of the head and thorax is
covered and protected dorsally by a
large plate of exoskeleton (the
pronotum).
•Legs adapted for running.
•Front wings thickened; hind wings
membranous, pleated .
•Stylus present at 9 segment.
(Cockroaches / Waterbugs / Mentid)
15

16. Isoptera
(Termites / White Ants)
Greek "iso" meaning equal and "ptera" meaning wings.
•Head large and cylindrical or
small and round.
• Antennae long moniliform.
•Compound eyes present.
•Two pairs of membranous
wings.
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17. Zoraptera
(Zorapterans / Angel Insects)
Name, derived from the Greek "zor" meaning pure and
"aptera" meaning wingless.
• Moniliform Antennae 9-
segmented.
• Mouthparts is chewing.
•Wings often absent, with
reduced venation when present.
•Long stylus, short
unsegmentes circi.
17

18. Psocoptera
Psocids / Barklice / Booklice
The name Psocoptera is derived from the Greek "psokos" meaning
rubbed or gnawed and "ptera" meaning wings.
•Head prominent, with Lonf
filiform antennae.
•Narrow "neck" between head and
thorax.
•Two pairs of wings; some species
are wingless.
•Tarsi 2- or 3-segmented
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19. Mallophaga
Biting Lice / Bird lice / Chicken lice
•Chewing or biting type.
•Head is broad.
•Antennae short filliform; 3-5
segmented.
•Clinging legs.
•Eyes reduced or absent
•Tarsi 1- or 2-segmented, most
species have two small claws.
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20. Siphonculata
Sucking Lice / Mammal Lice / Human Lice
•Head conical, with suctorial
mouthparts
•Antennae short filliform, 3- to
5-segmented
•Eyes reduced or absent
•Tarsi usually 1-segmented with
a single large claw.
20

21. Hemiptera
True Bugs
The name Heteroptera, derived from the Greek "hetero-
" meaning different and "ptera" meaning wings.
• Long filliform Antennae with 4-5
segments.
•Proboscis 3-4 segmented, arising
from front of head .
•Tarsi 2- or 3-segmented.
•Circi absent.
21

22. Homoptera
Plant hoppers / Tree hoppers / /white fly / Aphid / Jasid
Short setaceous antenna.
Piercing sucking mouthpart.
Membranous or hard throughout
of forewings.
Circi absent.
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23. Thysanoptera
Thrips
The name Thysanoptera, derived from the Greek
"thysanos" meaning fringe and "ptera" meaning wings.
•Antennae short moniliform, 6-10
segments.
•Body cylindrical or spindle-shaped.
•Front and hind wings slender, rod-
like, with a dense fringe of long
hairs. Many species are secondarily
wingless.
•Rod like stripy wings.
•End of abdominal tube present
called oviposter. 23

24. Neuroptera
Lacewings / Antlions / Dobsonflies / Alderflies / Snakeflies
The name Neuroptera is derived from the Greek word
"neuron" meaning sinew and "ptera" meaning wings.
•Antennae long setaceous.
•Chewing mouthparts.
•Front and hind wing membranous,
similar in size.
•Extensive branching of venation in
all wings.
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25. Coleoptera
Beetles / Weevils
The name Coleoptera, derived from the Greek words "koleos"
meaning sheath and "ptera" meaning wings.
Coleoptera (beetles and weevils) is the largest order in the class Insecta.
•Chewing mouthparts (sometimes
located at the tip of a beak) .
•Front wings (elytra) are hard and
serve as covers for the hind wings;
meet in a line down the middle of the
back .
•Hind wings large, membranous,
folded beneath the elytra .
•Tarsi 2- to 5-segmented .
•Most beetles have a hard, dense
exoskeleton .
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26. Strepsiptera
Twisted-wing parasites / Stylopids / Strepsipterans
The name Strepsiptera, derived from the Greek "strepsi" meaning
turned or twisted and "ptera" meaning wings.
•Large fan-shaped hind wings;
small club-like front wings.
•Forewing form haltere.
•Vestigial and chewing
mouthparts.
•Antennae 4- to 7-segmented;
often with lateral branching.
•Flabellate antenna.
•Protruded eyes.
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27. Mecoptera
Scorpionflies / Hangingflies
The name Mecoptera, derived from the Greek words
"meco" meaning long and "ptera" meaning wings.
•Head elongate with slender chewing
mouthparts.
•Front and hind wings narrow, elongate, and
similar in size; crossveins numerous.
•Tarsi 5-segmented
•Males of some species have enlarged
external genitalia held recurved over the
abdomen like a scorpion's tail.
•Raised abdomen.
•Long narrow similar wings
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28. Diptera
True Flies / Mosquitoes / Gnats / Midges
The name Diptera, derived from the Greek words "di" meaning
two and "ptera" meaning wings.
Antennae filiform, stylate, or
aristate .
Mouthparts suctorial.
Mesothorax larger than pro- or
metathorax .
One pair of wings (front); hind
wings reduced (halteres) .
Tarsi 5-segmented .
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29. Siphonaptera
Fleas
The name Siphonaptera is derived from the Greek words "siphon"
meaning a tube or pipe and "aptera" meaning wingless.
•Short setaceous antenna.
•Body bilaterally flattened
•Mouthparts piercing sucking.
•Large bristles (ctenidia) often
present on head or thorax .
•Hind femur enlarged, adapted
for jumping.
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30. Lepidoptera
Butterflies / Moths
The name Lepidoptera, derived from the Greek words "lepido"
for scale and "ptera" for wings.
Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) is the
second largest order in the class Insecta.
•Mouthparts form a coiled tube (proboscis)
beneath the head.
•Antennal type:
Butterflies: Clavate
Moths: thread-like, spindle-shaped, or
comb-like
•Front wings large, triangular; hind wings
large, fan-shaped.
•Body and wings covered with small,
overlapping scales. 30

31. Trichoptera
Caddisflies
The name Trichoptera, derived from the Greek words "trichos"
meaning hair and "ptera" meaning wings.
Setaceous antennae.
Mouthparts reduced or
vestigal.
Two pairs of wings clothed
with long hairs.
Wings held tent-like over
the abdomen.
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32. Hymenoptera
Ants / Wasps / Bees / Sawflies / Horntails
The name Hymenoptera is derived from the Greek words
"hymen" meaning membrane and "ptera" meaning wings.
•Chewing mouthparts - except in bees
where maxillae and labium form a
proboscis for collecting nectar.
•Compound eyes well developed.
•Tarsi usually 5-segmented.
•Triangular stigma in front wings.
•Hind wings smaller than front wings.
•Geniculate antenna.
•Sucking/Licking/Chewing mouthpart.
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