Insects

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Hymenoptera(ants)- Ant-like with a narrow waist; ranges in size from 1 to 25mm

Isoptera(termites)- Ant-like with a wide waist; ranges in size from 5 to 20mm

Collembolla(springtails)- With an 2 antennae-like appendages located at the end of the abdomen which is used .as a "spring"; may be held under the abdomen; ranges in size from 3 to 6mm

Diptera(flies)- With only a single pair of wings; the second pair of wings modified into a pair of knob-like gyroscopic organs (attached to the end of stalks) known as halteres; ranges in size from 6 to 65mm

Odonata(dragonflies and damselfies)- The wings are equal or nearly equal in size with a long slender abdomen; dragonflies range in size from 28 to 150mm, damselflies range in size from 25 to 65mm

Ephemeroptera(mayflies)- The first pair of wings much larger than second and held straight up over the body; with two or three long, antennae-like appendages at the end of the abdomen; ranges in size from 5 to 35mm

Hemiptera(true bugs)- Forewings half leathery, half membranous, while hindwings entirely membranous; when wings are folded, it makes an “X” on the back; piercing mouthpart begins at the top of the head; ranges in size from 3 to 40mm

Homoptera(aphids, scales, leafhoppers, and cicadas)- Forewings either entirely membranous or entirely leathery; held rooflike over the body; piercing mouthpart begins at the bottom of the head; ranges in size from 2 to 60mm

Orthopthera- (grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets)- Chewing mouthparts; hind legs often enlarged, adapted for jumping; ranges in size from 9 to 80mm

Mantodea(Praying Mantis)- Front legs have many spines and are held in front of them in a bent position that has been described as “prayer like”; with large eyes; up to 150mm in length

Phasmida(walking stick and leaf insects)- Looks like a stick, twig, or leaf; up to 150mm in length

**Blattaria(roaches)-** Body is oval and flattened, head is concealed from dorsal (top) view, has long antennae, and runs very fast ; up to 60mm in length

Thysanoptera(thrips)- Very small, wings are membranous and have a fringe of long hairs along the entire margins of the wings; mouth modified and forms a cone which is off-center, usually seen without wings; up to 4mm in length

Isoptera(termites)- Wings are entirely membranous and of the same length; ranges in size from 5 to 20mm

Plecoptera(stoneflies)- Wings entirely membranous and flat, back against the body, with the forewings narrower than the hindwings; two short, antennae-like appendages located at the end of the abdomen; ranges in size from 6 to 64mm

Neuroptera(alderflies, dobsonflies, fishflies, snakeflies, lacewings, antlions, and owlflies)- Two pairs of membranous wings with many crossveins; wings held roof-like over the body and long antennae (in some species, males will have developed large pincher-like mandibles); ranges in size from 9 to 70mm

Mecoptera(scorpion flies)- Forewings and hindwings with distinctive black, horizontal banding; face elongated like a horses with chewing mouthparts at its tip; male sexual organ looks like the tip of a scorpion’s tail; ranges in size from 5 to 25mm

Dermaptera(earwigs)- Forewings short, leathery; meeting in a straight line down the middle of the back; with a pair of large forceps-like appendages at the end of the abdomen; ranges in size from 5 to 25mm

Coleoptera(beetles)- Forewings thickened into a hard shell-like cover; meeting in a straight line down the middle of the back; hindwings are membranous and folded underneath the forewings; ranges in size from 0.25mm to 200mm

Lepidoptera(butterflies, moths, and skippers)- With long siphoning mouthparts (that can be curled up like a party favor); wings covered in overlapping scales; ranges in size from 10 to 150mm

Tricoptera(caddieslfies)- Moth-like insect wings covered with hair and held roof-like over the body; ranges in size from 7 to 25mm

Hymenoptera(wasps, bees, and ants)- Wings membranous and not covered with hairs, hindwings are smaller than forewings; abdomen constricted into a narrow waist (females have a modified ovipositor that they use as a stinger); ranges in size from 3 to 55mm

Not an insect

More than three pairs of legs.

Immature Insect

Has 3 pair of legs, but no wings, and does not fit any of the above descriptions