Identifying Insects

Flashcards to help identify insects based on their characteristics.

Bee

Hourglass body shape with a waist, cylindrical abdomen and thorax, pollen-carrying hair (scopa) on legs or abdomen, long antennae often with kink/elbow, long oval eyes at the side of the face, wings often on the back at rest and are shorter than the body.

Fly

Large, round eyes covering much of the face, short antennae, stout body shape with less obvious waist, wings one pair only, usually longer than body, often held out at 45° angle at rest, round large head.

Wasp

Long and slim body shape with a distinct waist, legs often dangle in flight, long oval-shaped eyes at the side of head, sometimes with a notch, long antennae, wings usually long and thin, generally shorter than the body, triangular or tear-shaped head.

Butterfly

Wings held high above body (tent shape), antennae with a knob at end, typically brighter colors, generally fly during the day.

Moth

Wings held flat along body, antennae simple or feathery, ending in a fine point, typically dull or iridescent colors, generally fly at night.

Beetle

Often round to oval body shape, hard forewings (elytra) with hindwings often hidden, antennae visible, but varying lengths & shapes, chewing mouthparts, typically short flights.

European honey bee

General ‘bee’ characteristics, pollen collected on back legs, colors vary from golden to near black, and with light to distinctive stripes, hairy appearance, larger than most native bees.

Blue-banded bee characteristics

General ‘bee’ characteristics, stripes typically blue on black abdomen, pollen collected on back legs, hairy appearance, rounder body, smaller than honey bees.

Hover fly

‘Hovering’ flight above plants, large round eyes covering much of the face, small antennae, usually yellow and black, not hairy, slim legs, flat abdomen when viewed side-on.

European wasp

Stocky shape, ∼15mm long, yellow with black markings, not hairy, black antennae, yellow legs.