Insects of Texas: A Practical Guide

Insects

hexapoda 43 Insects Class: Hexapoda (hehks-aH-pih-duh) hexa, six; poda, foot Characteristics: Size: variable Antennae: Present; one pair Mouthparts: variable Eyes: Compound; generally present Wings: Variable; none or one or two pairs Legs: Generally three pairs, sometimes none Miscellaneous: 3-segmented body Habitat: extremely variable Food: extremely variable Metamorphosis: variable insects are the largest group of living organisms on earth. estimates range from seven hundred thousand to over 30 million species, most of which have not been described. insects also inhabit a wider range of environments and dine on a greater variety of food than any other group. The characteristics separating insects from other arthropods include a three-segmented body, the presence of wings, and three pairs of legs. it should be noted, however, that there are many variations and exceptions to these characteristics . Common orders in the class Hexapoda Order Page Springtails: Collembola 44 Silverfish: Thysanura 45 Mayflies: Ephemeroptera 46 Dragonflies and damselflies: Odonata 47–53 Walkingsticks: Phasmatodea 54 Grasshoppers, katydids, crickets: Orthoptera 55–61 Mantids: Mantodea 62 Cockroaches: Blattodea 63 Termites: Isoptera 64 Earwigs: Dermaptera 65 Webspinners: Embiidina 66 Stoneflies: Plecoptera 67 Booklice and barklice: Psocoptera 68 Chewing lice: Phthiraptera (suborder Mallophaga) 69 Sucking lice: Phthiraptera (suborder Anoplura) 70 True bugs: Hemiptera (suborder Heteroptera) 71–91 Aphids, cicadas, hoppers: Hemiptera (suborders Auchenorrhyncha and Sternorrhyncha) 92–100 Thrips: Thysanoptera 101 Antlions, dobsonflies, lacewings : Neuroptera 102–09 Beetles: Coleoptera 110–34 Scorpionflies: Mecoptera 135 Fleas: Siphonaptera 136 Flies: Diptera 137–56 Caddisflies: Trichoptera 157 Butterflies, moths, skippers: Lepidoptera 158–79 Wasps, ants, bees: Hymenoptera 180–97 44 hexapoda 44 hexapoda Springtails order: Collembola (koh-LeHM-boh-luh) coll, glue; embolos, bolt or peg Characteristics: Size: Very small; rarely larger than J in. (3.2 mm) Shape: Cylindrical; some species globular Color:Brown, tan, often iridescent Antennae: Threadlike Mouthparts: Chewing Eyes: absent Wings: absent Legs: Three pairs Miscellaneous: Typically hairy; jumping insects Habitat: Soil and decaying organic matter; prefer moist areas or high humidity Food: Scavengers; mold; algae; pollen Metamorphosis: ametamorphous (egg, nymph, adult) Springtails are very small, wingless insects that jump with the aid of a springlike mechanism. Springtails often occur in tremendous numbers in moist habitats, where they typically feed on decaying organic matter and microorganisms. in these environments, they are a very important component of the ecosystem, serving both as decomposers and as a food source for predaceous arthropods. Though they are primarily decomposers , they sometimes cause damage to small greenhouse plants, particularly mushrooms when they feed on developing mushroom spores. The casual observer rarely sees these tiny creatures. However, large numbers commonly may be seen on the sidewalk after a lawn is watered. They can sometimes be seen indoors, for example, on coffee tables, where they wander from houseplant potting soil. Springtail close-up Springtail hexapoda 45 hexapoda 45 Silverfish, Bristletails, Firebrats order: Thysanura (thy-suh-Nyoor-uh) thysanos, fringed; oura, tail Characteristics: Size: K to S in. (8.5 to 14.4 mm) Shape: elongated; flattened Color: Generally gray or silvery Antennae: Long; threadlike Mouthparts: Chewing Eyes: Compound Wings: absent Legs: Walking Miscellaneous: Body covered in fine silvery to brown scales; three tails; nocturnal Habitat: Buildings, soil Food: Starches Metamorphosis: ametamorphous (egg, nymph, adult) This group of insects is frequently encountered in homes, where they feed on starchy substances such as wallpaper, linen, and clothing. although silverfish may simply be nuisances in homes, they can cause serious problems in libraries by eating the glue binding and even the pages of books. Silverfish prefer cool, damp areas. Firebrats are typically located in warmer areas, such as behind furnaces and water heaters. These insects come out of hiding at night and search for food. They are rapid runners and hide when lights are on. Their shy behavior and speed make them very difficult to catch. Silverfish 46 hexapoda 46 hexapoda Mayflies order: ephemeroptera (eh-fehm-uh-raHP-tur-uh) ephemera, for a day or short; ptera, wing Characteristics: Size: K to 1 in. (8.5 to 25.4 mm) (excluding tail) Shape: Cylindrical Color: Typically tan Antennae: Short; bristlelike Mouthparts: Nonfunctional Eyes: Compound Wings: Membranous; forewings large and triangular; hind wings smaller and rounded Legs: Walking Miscellaneous: Two or three long tails; soft bodied; nocturnal Habitat: adults: Typically near water Naiads: aquatic Food: adults: Do not eat Naiads: Scavengers; vegetation; some predaceous on small aquatic animals Metamorphosis: incomplete (egg, naiad, subimago, adult) after hatching, the aquatic immature mayflies, called naiads, feed on algae and...