Entomology Science Olympiad 2025

Entomology

Entognatha

A class of insects with mouthparts retracted within the head.

Protura

An order of insects within the class Entognatha, characterized by lack of antennae and eyes, and having mouthparts that are adapted for scraping food.

Collembola

An order of insects commonly known as springtails, which have a unique jumping mechanism for locomotion.

Diplura

An order of insects characterized by their two-pronged cerci, wingless and small in size.

Insecta

The largest class of animals, characterized by a three-part body, compound eyes, and usually two pairs of wings.

Archaeognatha

An order of insects also known as bristletails, which have a distinctive elongated body and relatively large compound eyes.

Zygentoma

An order of insects that includes silverfish and firebrats, recognized by their flat bodies and long antennae.

Ephemeroptera

An order of insects that includes mayflies, characterized by their delicate wings and short adult lifespan.

Odonata

Order of insects that includes dragonflies and damselflies, recognized for their large compound eyes and elongated bodies.

Blattodea

Order of insects that includes cockroaches and termites, characterized by a flattened body and distinctive mouthparts.

Mantodea

Order of insects that includes mantids, known for their raptorial forelegs used for catching prey.

Orthoptera

An order of insects that includes grasshoppers and crickets, known for their jumping abilities.

Phasmatodea

An order of insects known as walking sticks or stick insects, which exhibit remarkable camouflage.

Coleoptera

The largest order in the animal kingdom, commonly known as beetles, identifiable by their hardened front wings.

Hymenoptera

An order of insects that includes bees, wasps, and ants, characterized by their membranous wings and complex social structures.

Ametabola

A type of insect development that does not involve metamorphosis, where juveniles resemble smaller adults.

Holometabola

Insects that undergo complete metamorphosis with distinct egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.

Semiochemicals

Chemical signals used in communication between organisms, including pheromones and allelochemicals.

Pheromones

Chemical signals released by an individual to affect the behavior of other members of the same species.

Chemical Communication

Communication between insects that relies primarily on chemical signals.

Acoustic Communication

Communication by sound, often used in mating behaviors among insects.

Visual Communication

Communication through visual signals such as body color and movement.

Clypeus

A sclerite on the head of insects located between the frons and the labrum, often referred to as the lower lip.

Mandibles

The jaw-like mouthparts of insects used for biting or grinding food.

Frons

The area of the head between the eyes and above the clypeus.

Labrum

A flap-like structure that serves as the upper lip of an insect.

Ocelli

Simple eyes typically found on the heads of many arthropods, used to detect light.

Cerci

Paired appendages on the posterior end of some insects, often used for sensory functions.

Tarsus

The terminal segment of an insect leg, composed of several smaller segments.

Scape

The basal segment of an insect's antenna, connecting to the head.

Compound Eyes

Complex eyes made up of numerous small facets, providing a broad field of view.

Neuroptera

An order of insects that includes lacewings and antlions, recognized for their net-like wing veins.

Acari

A subclass of arachnids that includes mites and ticks, different from insects.

Ixodida

An order of arachnids that includes hard and soft ticks, known for being blood-feeding ectoparasites.

Thysanoptera

An order of insects known as thrips, characterized by their fringed wings and small size.

Mecoptera

An order of insects known as scorpionflies, identifiable by their elongated heads.

Raphidioptera

An order of insects commonly referred to as snakeflies due to their long necks.

Siphonaptera

An order of insects that encompasses fleas, adapted for a parasitic lifestyle.

Diptera

An order of insects known as flies, characterized by a single pair of functional wings.

Chironomidae

A family of flies also known as non-biting midges, often found in aquatic environments.