Invertebrate Zoology/Insects

Chapter 15 ~ The Arthropods Class Insecta Contents ~ Introduction ~ Protozoans ~ Metazoans ~ Sponges ~ Cnidaria Ctenophores ~ Flatworms ~ Nemerteans ~ Pseudocoelomates ~ Annelids ~ Mollusks Arthropods ~ Chelicerates ~ Crustaceans ~ Insects ~ Echinoderms

The insects are a diverse group. Shown: moth larva, Marsh fly, and damselfly.

Phylum Arthropoda Subphylum: Hexapoda Class: Insecta
Orders
Subclass Apterygota Symphypleona - globular springtails Subclass Archaeognatha (jumping bristletails) Subclass Dicondylia Monura - extinct Thysanura (common bristletails) Subclass Pterygota Diaphanopteroidea - extinct Palaeodictyoptera - extinct Megasecoptera - extinct Archodonata - extinct Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Blattodea (cockroaches) Mantodea (mantids) Isoptera (termites) Zoraptera Grylloblattodea Dermaptera (earwigs) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids) Phasmatodea (walking sticks, timemas) Embioptera (webspinners) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Superorder Hemipterodea Psocoptera (booklice, barklice) Phthiraptera (lice) Hemiptera (true bugs) Thysanoptera (thrips) Superorder Endopterygota Miomoptera - extinct Megaloptera (alderflies) Raphidioptera (snakeflies) Neuroptera (net-veined insects) Coleoptera (beetles) Strepsiptera (twisted-winged parasites) Mecoptera (scorpionflies, etc.) Siphonaptera (fleas) Protodiptera - extinct Diptera (true flies) Trichoptera (caddisflies) Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths) Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps, etc.)

Introduction to the Insects

In terms of number of species described, the Subphylum Hexapoda is the largest in the Phylum Arthropoda. Hexapods (meaning "six legs or feet") include the insects (Class Insecta), which dominate terrestrial environments on earth. The subphylum also includes several groups of wingless arthropods of uncertain placement; namely the orders: Diplura, Collembola, and Protura.

• Read Subphylum Hexapoda
  • Read Order Diplura
  • Read Order Collembola
  • Read Order Protura
• Read Class Insecta (Follow links as necessary to understand the terminology; Also included are:)