6. Major Insect Orders

What is an insect order?

 A major group within Class Insecta based on shared characteristics such as wings, mouthparts, body shape, metamorphosis, legs, antennae, behaviour and life cycle.

Why are insect orders important in pest management?

 They help predict an insect's biology, harbourage, feeding behaviour, damage and the best treatment methods.

What characteristics are used to classify insect orders?

• Wings

• Mouthparts

• Body shape

• Metamorphosis

• Legs

• Antennae

• Behaviour

• Life cycle

What pest is this

Silverfish

Which order do silverfish belong to?

Zygentoma.

What type of metamorphosis do silverfish have?

Primitive (ametabolous).

Are silverfish winged?

No, they are wingless.

What covers a silverfish's body?

Silvery scales.

What type of mouthparts do silverfish have?

Chewing mouthparts.

What do silverfish commonly damage?

Paper, books, wallpaper glue, clothing and other starch-containing materials.

What Pest is this

Cockroach

Which order do cockroaches belong to?

Blattodea.

What type of metamorphosis do cockroaches have?

Gradual (incomplete).

What body shape do cockroaches have?

Flattened oval bodies. (Surf Board shape)

Are cockroaches mostly nocturnal or diurnal?

Nocturnal.

What type of feeders are cockroaches?

Omnivorous scavengers.

What are cockroach egg cases called?

Oothecae.

Why are cockroaches important public health pests?

They contaminate food and food-contact surfaces.

How do cockroaches contaminate food?

• Droppings

• Cast skins

• Regurgitation

• Odours

• Disease organisms

What Pest is This

Termite

 Which order do termites belong to?

Blattodea (specialised termite group).

What do termites feed on?

Cellulose.

What type of metamorphosis do termites have?

Gradual. (incomplete)

Are termites social insects?

 Yes.

Name the three main termite castes.

• Workers

• Soldiers

• Reproductives

What do termite workers do?

 Collect food, feed the colony, build galleries and repair the nest.

What do termite soldiers do?

Defend the colony.

Where do termites prefer to live?

Dark, moist environments.

Why do termites build shelter tubes?

To prevent themselves from drying out while travelling.

Why are termites important pests?

They cause structural timber damage.

What pest is this

Earwigs

 Which order do earwigs belong to?

Dermaptera.

What type of metamorphosis do earwigs have?

Gradual. (incomplete)

What feature easily identifies an earwig?

Forceps (pincers) at the end of the abdomen.

Are earwigs major pests?

No, they are generally minor nuisance pests.

Where are earwigs commonly found?

Damp places.

what Order is this

Orthoptera

Which insects belong to Orthoptera?

Grasshoppers, crickets and locusts.

What type of metamorphosis do Orthoptera have?

 Gradual. (incomplete)

What feature identifies Orthoptera?

Large jumping hind legs.

What type of mouthparts do Orthoptera have?

Chewing.

Are Orthoptera mainly urban or agricultural pests?

Agricultural pests.

What insect is this

Stick Insect

Which insects belong to Phasmida?

Stick insects.

What is the stick insects main defense main defence?

 Camouflage.

What do stick insects feed on?

Plants.

 Are stick insects important urban pests?

No.

what insect is this?

Book Lice (Psocids)

Which insects belong to Psocodea?

Psocids (booklice).

What environmental condition do booklice usually indicate?

Dampness and mould.

Why are booklice important?

They indicate excess moisture rather than being major pests themselves.

What insect is this

Lice

 Which insects belong to Phthiraptera?

Lice.

Are lice winged?

 No.

What do lice live on?

Their host.

What type of lifestyle do lice have?

Parasitic.

what insect is this

Bed Bug

Which insects belong to Order Hemiptera?

Bed bugs and true bugs.

What type of metamorphosis do Hemiptera have?

Gradual. (incomplete)

What type of mouthparts do Hemiptera have?

Piercing-sucking mouthparts.

What do many Hemiptera feed on?

Plant juices.

What is the major urban pest in Hemiptera?

 Bed bugs.

Where do bed bugs hide during the day?

Beds and nearby furniture.

When do bed bugs feed?

At night.

What do bed bugs feed on?

Blood.

what insect is this?

Thrips

Which insects belong to Thysanoptera?

Thrips.

What type of metamorphosis do thrips have?

 Intermediate.

What type of wings do thrips have?

Fringed wings.

What type of mouthparts do thrips have?

Rasping-sucking.

What do thrips mainly attack?

Plants.

What insect is this

Lacewings

Which insects belong to Neuroptera?

Lacewings.

What type of metamorphosis do lacewings have?

Complete.

Are lacewings pests?

No, they are beneficial predators.

what insect is this

Weevils

what insect is this

Carpet beetle

Which insects belong to Coleoptera?

Beetles and weevils.

What type of metamorphosis do beetles have?

Complete.

What are hardened forewings called?

Elytra.

What do many beetles damage?

• Stored products

• Timber

• Clothing

• Leather

• Fabrics

Which stage of many beetles causes the most damage?

 The larval stage.

what insect is this

Flea

Which insects belong to Siphonaptera?

Fleas.

What type of metamorphosis do fleas have?

Complete.

Are adult fleas winged?

No.

How are flea bodies flattened?

Side-to-side.

What allows fleas to jump?

Large hind legs.

What do adult fleas feed on?

Blood.

What do flea larvae look like?

 Legless, worm-like larvae.

What type of mouthparts do flea larvae have?

Chewing.

Why can flea pupae suddenly hatch?

Vibration indicates a host is nearby.

name the insect

name the insect

name the insect

gnats

name the insect

midges

Which insects belong to Diptera?

Flies, mosquitoes, gnats and midges.

What does Diptera mean?

Two wings.

How many functional wings do adult flies have?

One pair.

What are halteres?

Modified hindwings used for balance during flight.