2025 National Entomology List
General Information
These notes relate to the 2025 National Entomology List used for educational events in entomology.
Participants must be familiar with the taxa outlined in this list, which includes specific orders and families of insects.
The taxonomy is based on the Insects of North America Princeton Field Guide (2023).
Classes and Orders of Insects
Class Entognatha (internal mouthparts)
Order Protura (telsontails, proturans)
Order Collembola (springtails, snow fleas)
Order Diplura (diplurans)
Class Insecta (external mouthparts)
Order Archaeognatha (bristletails)
Order Zygentoma (silverfish, firebrats)
Order Ephemeroptera (mayflies)
Order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)
Recognize larvae and nymph forms
**Families:
Aeshnidae (darners)
Gomphidae (clubtails)
Libellulidae (skimmers)
Lestidae (spread-wing)
Coenagrionidae (narrow-winged)*
Order Blattodea (cockroaches and termites)
Order Mantodea (mantids)
Order Notoptera (ice crawlers)
Order Dermaptera (earwigs)
Order Plecoptera (stoneflies)
Order Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets)
Families:
Tetrigidae (pygmy grasshoppers)
Acrididae (short-horned grasshoppers)
Tettigoniidae (katydids)
Gryllacrididae (camel crickets)
Gryllidae (crickets/tree crickets)
Gryllotalpidae (mole crickets)*
Order Phasmatodea (walkingsticks)
Order Psocodea (Book/Bark Lice)
Order Hemiptera (true bugs)
Families:
Corixidae (water boatmen)
Notonectidae (backswimmers)
Belostomatidae (giant water bugs)
Nepidae (waterscorpions)
Gelastocoridae (toad bugs)
Gerridae (water striders)
Cimicidae (bed bugs)
Miridae (plant bugs)
Reduviidae (assassin bugs)
Phymatidae (ambush bugs)
Tingidae (lace bugs)
Lygaeidae (seed bugs)
Coreidae (leaf-footed bugs)
Pentatomidae (stink bugs)
Cicadidae (cicadas)
Membracidae (treehoppers)
Cercopidae (froghoppers, spittlebugs)
Cicadellidae (leafhoppers)
Fulgoridae (fulgorid planthoppers)
Aphididae (aphids)
Dactylopiidae (scale - twig or leaf)*
Order Thysanoptera (thrips)
Order Megaloptera (dobsonflies)
Order Neuroptera (lacewings, antlions)
Families:
Chrysopidae (green lacewings)
Myrmeleontidae (antlions)*
Orders Related to Beetles and Other Megafauna
Order Coleoptera (beetles)
Families:
Cicindelidae (tiger beetles)
Carabidae (ground beetles)
Dytiscidae (predaceous diving beetles)
Gyrinidae (whirligig beetles)
Hydrophilidae (water scavenger beetles)
Histeridae (hister beetles)
Staphylinidae (rove beetles)
Silphidae (carrion beetles)
Lucanidae (stag beetles)
Passalidae (bess beetles)
Scarabaeidae (dung beetles)
Buprestidae (metallic wood-boring/jewel beetles)
Elateridae (click beetles)
Lampyridae (fireflies)
Cantharidae (soldier beetles)
Lycidae (net-winged beetles)
Cleridae (checkered beetles)
Coccinellidae (ladybug beetles)
Tenebrionidae (darkling beetles)
Meloidae (blister beetles)
Cerambycidae (long-horned beetles)
Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles)
Curculionidae (weevils)*
Order Strepsiptera (Twisted-Wing Parasites)
Order Mecoptera (scorpionflies)
Families:
Boreidae (snow scorpionflies)
Panorpidae (common scorpionflies)*
Order Raphidioptera (Snakeflies)
Families:
Raphidiidae (Raphidiid Snakeflies)*
Order Siphonaptera (fleas)
Order Diptera (true flies)
Families:
Tipulidae (crane flies)
Culicidae (mosquitoes; recognition of life stages needed)
Chironomidae (midges)
Simuliidae (black flies)
Stratiomyidae (soldier flies)
Tabanidae (horse flies)
Asilidae (robber flies)
Bombyliidae (bee flies)
Syrphidae (hover/flower flies)
Tephritidae (fruit flies, huskfly)
Drosophilidae (pomace flies, fruit/vinegar flies)
Muscidae (house flies)
Hippoboscidae (louse flies)
Calliphoridae (blow flies; recognition of life stages needed)
Tachinidae (tachinid flies)*
Order Trichoptera (caddisflies; recognition of life stages needed)
Order Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies)
Families:
Sesiidae (clear-winged moths)
Tortricidae (Tortrix moths)
Hesperiidae (skippers)
Papilionidae (swallowtails)
Pieridae (whites, sulfurs)
Lycaenidae (hairstreaks/blues)
Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies)
Danaidae (milkweed butterflies)
Pyralidae (snout moths)
Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm moths)
Sphingidae (sphinx/hawk moths; hornworms)*
Order Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps)
Families:
Tenthredinidae (common sawflies)
Siricidae (horntails)
Ichneumonidae (ichneumons)
Cynipidae (gall wasps)
Mutillidae (velvet-ants)
Formicidae (ants)
Vespidae (paper wasps, hornets, yellowjackets)
Sphecidae (thread-waisted wasps)
Colletidae (Plaster bees)
Halictidae (Sweat bees)
Megachilidae (leaf cutter bees)
Apidae (bees)*
Subclass Acari (Mites and Ticks)
Order Ixodida (Ticks)
Family Ixodidae (Hardbacked ticks)
Insect Morphology and Anatomy
External Morphology:
Head: Contains mouthparts, compound eyes, and antennae. Mouthparts can vary significantly (chewing, sucking, etc.).
Thorax: Consists of three segments (prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax). Each segment has a pair of legs; the mesothorax and metathorax can have wings.
Abdomen: Typically has 8-11 segments; contains reproductive and respiratory structures.
Wing Anatomy:
Insects may have two pairs of wings or none (e.g., flies).
Wings are composed of a thin membrane supported by veins that provide structure.
Types of wings vary by insect order (e.g., scale-covered wings in butterflies, membranous wings in flies).
Metamorphic Types
Holometabolous (Complete Metamorphosis):
Includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
Common in beetles, butterflies, and flies.
Hemimetabolous (Incomplete Metamorphosis):
Includes three stages: egg, nymph (larvae), and adult.
Nymphs resemble mini-adults (e.g., grasshoppers, cockroaches).
Ametabolous (Direct Development):
Includes no noticeable changes in form beyond growing larger.
Seen in wingless insects like silverfish.
Social Behaviors
Insects can display complex social behaviors:
Cooperative behavior: Seen in social insects like ants, bees, and termites.
Communication: Involves pheromones, sounds (buzzing, chirping), and visual signals.
Division of labor: Tasks are performed by specific castes (workers, soldiers, queens).
Internal Anatomy
Digestive System:
Includes a foregut (mouth, esophagus, crop), midgut (stomach), and hindgut (intestine, rectum).
Specialized for different diets (e.g., herbivores with longer enzymes).
Circulatory System:
Open circulatory system—hemolymph (blood equivalent) flows freely in the body cavity.
Respiratory System:
Tracheal system consisting of spiracles (openings) leading to a network of tubes for gas exchange.
Nervous System:
Central nervous system includes a brain, paired ventral nerve cord, and ganglia for segment coordination.
Reproductive System:
Generally includes distinct male and female reproductive organs, with variations in fertilization and egg-laying practices.
Facts about Specific Bugs for Science Olympiad Tournament
1. Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Role in pollination and honey production.
Complex social structure with a queen, workers, and drones.
Communicate through waggle dance to inform others about food sources.
2. Ladybug (Coccinellidae)
Known for their distinctive red or orange color with black spots.
Beneficial insects, often used in gardens for pest control (eat aphids).
Some species can secrete a fluid that is a deterrent to predators.
3. Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Known for its migratory behavior, traveling up to 3,000 miles to Mexico.
Toxicity from milkweed consumption makes them unpalatable to predators.
Four stages in its lifecycle: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), adult.
4. Cockroach (Blattodea)
Highly resilient creatures, capable of living for weeks without a head.
Can run rapidly; their legs are adapted for fast movement.
Feed on a wide variety of materials, including decaying organic matter.
5. Ants (Formicidae)
Display complex social structures with various castes: queens, workers, soldiers.
Can form living bridges to cross gaps using their bodies.
Some species engage in farming behavior, cultivating fungi or aphids for food.
6. Cicada (Cicadidae)
Known for their loud mating calls produced by males (tymbal mechanism).
Life cycle includes several years underground as nymphs (some up to 17 years).
Emergence is synchronized, which helps deter predators by overwhelming them.
7. Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)
Remarkable predators with very fast flight, capable of catching prey mid-air.
Larval forms (nymphs) are aquatic and are also fierce predators.
Some dragonfly species can patrol territories and exhibit aggressive behaviors.
8. Termites (Isoptera)
Play a crucial role in decomposing wood and releasing nutrients back into the soil.
Have a caste system with soldiers, workers, and reproductive individuals.
Notably, some species can build large mounds that regulate temperature and humidity.
Insect Trivia for Science Olympiad Tournament
1. Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Apart from their role in pollination and honey production, honeybees perform a unique dance called the "waggle dance" to communicate the location of food sources to other bees in the hive.
They can recognize human faces and have a complex form of communication that uses pheromones to signal different messages.
2. Ladybug (Coccinellidae)
Some ladybugs can secrete a yellowish fluid from their joints that has an unpleasant odor, which acts as a defense mechanism against predators.
They can consume up to 5,000 aphids in their lifetime, making them a popular choice for natural pest control in gardens.
3. Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Monarch butterflies can migrate thousands of miles, with some traveling from North America to central Mexico for the winter, making it one of the longest migrations of any insect.
Their bright orange and black coloration is a warning sign to predators about their toxicity, which results from the milkweed they consume as caterpillars.
4. Cockroach (Blattodea)
Cockroaches can live for up to a week without their heads, as their brain is distributed throughout their body, and they only need their mouth to eat and drink.
They are capable of running at speeds of up to 3 miles per hour and have been on Earth for over 300 million years, surviving several mass extinctions.
5. Ants (Formicidae)
Ants are known to farm aphids by protecting them from predators in exchange for the sweet honeydew they produce, showcasing a unique form of agriculture in nature.
The total biomass of the world's ants is estimated to be greater than that of all humans combined, highlighting their vast numbers and ecological impact.
6. Cicada (Cicadidae)
Some cicada species have a life cycle that lasts up to 17 years, spending most of their life underground as nymphs before emerging en masse to breed, which confuses potential predators.
Their loud mating calls can reach up to 120 decibels, making them one of the loudest insects, and they use a specialized structure called a tymbal to produce their sound.
7. Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)
Dragonflies can fly backward and hover in place, and they are known for their incredible speed, with some species capable of reaching speeds over 30 miles per hour.
Their larvae, or nymphs, are also skilled predators, often feeding on other aquatic insects and even small fish.
8. Termites (Isoptera)
Termites are not just decomposers; they play an essential role in nutrient cycling by breaking down tough plant fibers, which can help improve soil fertility.
Some termite species build impressive mounds that can be several meters high, which regulate internal temperature and humidity, creating a stable environment for their colony.
Insect Trivia for Science Olympiad Tournament
1. Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Apart from their role in pollination and honey production, honeybees perform a unique dance called the "waggle dance" to communicate the location of food sources to other bees in the hive.
They can recognize human faces and have a complex form of communication that uses pheromones to signal different messages.
2. Ladybug (Coccinellidae)
Some ladybugs can secrete a yellowish fluid from their joints that has an unpleasant odor, which acts as a defense mechanism against predators.
They can consume up to 5,000 aphids in their lifetime, making them a popular choice for natural pest control in gardens.
3. Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Monarch butterflies can migrate thousands of miles, with some traveling from North America to central Mexico for the winter, making it one of the longest migrations of any insect.
Their bright orange and black coloration is a warning sign to predators about their toxicity, which results from the milkweed they consume as caterpillars.
4. Cockroach (Blattodea)
Cockroaches can live for up to a week without their heads, as their brain is distributed throughout their body, and they only need their mouth to eat and drink.
They are capable of running at speeds of up to 3 miles per hour and have been on Earth for over 300 million years, surviving several mass extinctions.
5. Ants (Formicidae)
Ants are known to farm aphids by protecting them from predators in exchange for the sweet honeydew they produce, showcasing a unique form of agriculture in nature.
The total biomass of the world's ants is estimated to be greater than that of all humans combined, highlighting their vast numbers and ecological impact.
6. Cicada (Cicadidae)
Some cicada species have a life cycle that lasts up to 17 years, spending most of their life underground as nymphs before emerging en masse to breed, which confuses potential predators.
Their loud mating calls can reach up to 120 decibels, making them one of the loudest insects, and they use a specialized structure called a tymbal to produce their sound.
7. Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)
Dragonflies can fly backward and hover in place, and they are known for their incredible speed, with some species capable of reaching speeds over 30 miles per hour.
Their larvae, or nymphs, are also skilled predators, often feeding on other aquatic insects and even small fish.
8. Termites (Isoptera)
Termites are not just decomposers; they play an essential role in nutrient cycling by breaking down tough plant fibers, which can help improve soil fertility.
Some termite species build impressive mounds that can be several meters high, which regulate internal temperature and humidity, creating a stable environment for their colony.
9. Silverfish (Zygentoma)
Silverfish are known for their small, silver appearance and rapid movements, resembling tiny fish.
They are nocturnal and prefer dark, humid environments, making them common in basements and attics.
10. Trachymyrmex (fungus-growing ants)
Known for their ability to cultivate fungus as their primary food source, these ants exhibit complex social behavior and farming techniques.
They maintain gardens by providing care and protection to their fungal crops, a fascinating example of mutualism.
11. Grasshoppers (Orthoptera)
Grasshoppers have powerful hind legs that allow them to jump long distances, often several feet at once.
Some species are known to form swarms that can devastate crops, creating significant agricultural challenges.
12. Walkingsticks (Phasmatodea)
Walkingsticks are masters of camouflage and can resemble twigs or branches, making them hard for predators to spot.
They are primarily herbivorous and feed on leaves, often eating at night to avoid predators during the day.
13. Moths and Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Moths are generally nocturnal, while butterflies are diurnal. They undergo complete metamorphosis, transitioning through egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.
Many species are vital pollinators and are attracted to flowers by various visual and olfactory cues.
14. True Bugs (Hemiptera)
True bugs possess specialized mouthparts designed for piercing and sucking, often feeding on plant sap or other insects.
They can also produce sounds and communicate through vibrational signals, adding to their complexity as a group.
15. Beetles (Coleoptera)
Beetles are the most diverse group of insects, with over 350,000 species described, adapted to a wide range of habitats.
Many beetles play important roles in ecosystems, such as decomposers, predators, or herbivores.
16. True Flies (Diptera)
Flies undergo metamorphosis in distinct larval stages that vary considerably across species; some are known for transmitting diseases.
They play significant ecological roles as pollinators and decomposers, contributing to nutrient cycling in ecosystems.
17. Antlions (Neuroptera)
Antlion larvae are known for their predatory ambush behavior, creating pits in loose sand to capture prey.
Adult antlions look quite different from their larval forms, often having delicate wings and engaging in mating behaviors during nocturnal activity.