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List of insect orders

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A side-by-side of insect species from fifteen different orders, from top to bottom:

Insecta is a class of invertebrates that consists of around 30 individual orders.[1] Orders are the fifth taxonomic rank used to classify living organisms, below the rank of class, but above the rank of family.[2] The exact number of insect species is uncertain, however it is estimated to be between 1.5 million and 7 million.[3] More than 1 million insects have been formally described by a taxonomist and assigned a binomial name.[4] Insects are the most diverse group of animals, and account for 80% of species on Earth.[5] The most diverse orders are: Coleoptera (beetles), Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants), Lepidotera (butterflies), Diptera (flies) and Hemiptera (cicadas).[6] Taxonomists disagree on the exact number of orders, with opinions ranging from 26 to 32 distinct extant orders.[7]

Insecta was divided into seven orders in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae. Orders were primarily defined by the number and structure of wings, with other factors such as antennae being considered.[8] The classification of insects changes, with species regularly shifted around.[9] The most recent order described was the monotypic Mantophasmatodea.[9]

Apterygota

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Apterygota is a former subclass of insects, and one of the original subclasses Carl Linnaeus assigned to insecta. (the other being Pterygota).[10] They are wingless, with small appendages on segments of their abdomen.[10]

Order Description Number of species Image
Archaeognatha The Archaeognatha are the most evolutionarily primitive taxa in insects.[11] Species are characterized by their elongated bodies and retractable mouthparts. They have an arched thorax and a small head.[11] Bodies are cylindrical, and do not have any scales.[12] They are distributed globally, and prefer woodland areas.[12] Their tails consist of three long structures, and can use them to jump up to 12 inches.[13] Approximately 500.[14]
Zygentoma Species of Zygentoma are usually flat with two lengthy cerca.[15] The most widely distributed species is the Silverfish (Lepisma saccharinum).[16] The thoraxes are wide, and the surface is covered in small, dry scales.[17] Most live under bark or litter structures.[17] They are most common in humid environments, but some species have developed to withstand higher temperatures.[17] Approximately 400.[18]

Palaeoptera

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Palaeoptera is an infraclass of insecta with 2 existing orders.[19] Wings of Palaeoptera cannot be folded back when they are not being used, and species undergo particularly significant changes during metamorphosis.[20]

Order Description Number of species Image
Ephemeroptera Ephemeroptera (commonly known as "Mayflies") are small aquatic insects found primarily in North America.[21] Females lay their eggs in water, and do not feed during the adult stage. They spend almost their entire lives as larvae (sometimes up to a year), before growing into adults and living for 1 or 2 days.[21] Approximately 2,000.[22]
Odonata Odonata consists primarily of dragonflies and damselflies. They are large, narrow insects characterised by clear wings and a long abdomen.[23] Species are brightly colored and up to 2 inches in length. They are aquatic and lay their eggs in or around bodies of water.[23] Approximately 6,400.[24]

Polyneoptera

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Polyneoptera is a group of winged insects that possess mouths specialized for chewing, long antennae and 4 wings.[25][a] When stationary, their wings are typically folded over their body flat.[26] The exact relationship between orders is disputed among taxonomists, and some authorities classify Phasmatodea and Orthoptera in a single group called Orthopterida.[27]

Order Description Number of species Image
Blattodea Blattodea is an order that contains cockroaches and termites.[28] They have oval bodies and short cerci. They are most common in tropical climates, and can live as pests in human structures.[29] Approximately 4,600.[29]
Dermaptera Dermaptera (commonly known as "Earwigs" are insects that undergo incomplete development, in that they skip a larvae stage in their life cycle.[30] Thy are slender with beaded antennae, a segmented body and pincer-like cerci.[30] Approximately 1,800.[31]
Grylloblattodea Grylloblattodea (also known as "ice crawlers") are a rare group of insects found in Asia and North America.[32] Their bodies are adapted to survive in cold and mountain climates.[33] Approximately 60.[34]
Mantodea Mantodea (commonly known as "mantises") are an order of insects that usually prey on other insects.[35] They exhibit a diverse range of colors and shapes, and are distributed worldwide.[35] Approximately 2,500.[36]
Mantophasmatodea gladiators or heelwalkers Approximately 15.[37]
Orthoptera grasshoppers, crickets, katydids More than 20,000.[38]
Phasmatodea stick and leaf insects Approximately 3,600.[39]
Plecoptera stoneflies Approximately 3,500.[40]
Zoraptera angel insects 44 have been described.[41]

Paraneoptera

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Paraneoptera is a superorder of insects that undergo an incomplete metamorphisis.[42] Many species are agricultural pests, damaging the plants that they feed on.[43] The lifespan of species in Paraneoptera are short, with some lasting 6 weeks or less.[44]

Order Description Number of species Image
Hemiptera Hemiptera (also known as "true bugs") are aquatic insects that do not have a pupal stage during development.[45] They have piercing mouthparts that are used to suck from their food, with species exhibiting a cone or beak shaped structure.[45] More than 100,000.[46]
Psocodea Psocodea is a group of small insects with soft bodies.[47] It consists primarily of lice, and species are dorsoventrally flattened across their bodies.[47] Approximately 11,000.[48]
Thysanoptera Thysanoptera (also known as "Thrips") are small winged insects that feed on plants.[49] They are usually no more than 2 millimeters in length, and are attracted to bright colors.[49] Approximately 5,500.[50]

Holometabola

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Holometabola is a group of insects that are characterized by complete metamorphosis (insects that undergo an egg, pupae, larvae and adult stage).[51] The orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera contain the greatest number of species in this group (more than 99%).[51]

Order Description Number of species Image
Coleoptera beetles Approximately 350,000.[52]
Diptera flies, mosquitoes, gnats Over 125,000.[53][b]
Hymenoptera ants, bees, wasps Approximately 150,000.[54]
Lepidoptera butterflies and moths Approximately 180,000.[55]
Mecoptera scorpionflies Approximately 500.[56]
Megaloptera dobsonflies and alderflies Approximately 330.[57]
Neuroptera lacewings, antlions More than 5,000.[58]
Raphidioptera snakeflies Approximately 260.[59]
Siphonaptera fleas Approximately 2,500.[60]
Strepsiptera twisted-wing parasites Approximately 600.[61]
Trichoptera caddisflies Around 200.[62]

Notes

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  1. ^ Some species in Phasmatodea, Dermaptera and Zoraptera are secondarily wingless having lost their wings during evolution.[25]
  2. ^ While there are around 150,000 species described, it is possible more than 1,000,000 exist in total.[53]

References

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  2. ^ Rawat 2023, p. 14
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Bibliography

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