Entophiles – Insect Pictures & Bio

Hymenoptera membranous wing; Hymen = membrane, ptera = wings. Winged forms of ants, bees and wasps possess 2 pair of membranous wings.

Coleoptera means sheath wings; coleo - sheath, ptera = wings. Beetles front pair of wings are modified to hardened casings, known as elytra, to protect the hind wings and body below.

Lepidoptera means scale wings; lepido = scale, ptera = wings. Wings of butterflies and moths are often covered with a colorful mosaic of minute scales.

Homoptera means uniform wings; homo = alike, ptera = wings. The front wings of these insects have a uniform textured appearance in contrast to their

Cockroaches are fast-running insects often with wings. A few well know species have successfully evolved to exploit human dwellings and food supplies.

Odonata means tooth. Apart from jet propulsion, the aquatic nymph often possess an extendable jaw capable of catching prey some distance away from the rest of the head.

Diptera means two wings; di = two, ptera = wings. Flies do very well with their single pair of fore wings. The hind pair are often reduced to a couple of knob-like balance organs.

Orthoptera means straight wings; ortho = straight, ptera = wings. These insects often have a pair of elongated and thickened forewings and a membranous hind pair.

Neuroptera means nerve wings; neuro = nerve, ptera = wings. Wings of these insects are constructed with an elaborate network of supporting veins.

Mantodea means soothsayer; a person claiming to be able to predict the future. These insects have highly modified front legs often held in a position suggestive of prayer.

Ephemeroptera means short-lived wings; emphemera = one day, ptera = wings. After a year or more as an aquatic nymph, adults emerge in swarming nuptial flights and live for only a day or so.

Arthropod means segmented feet; arthro = joint, poda = foot. Including insects, this huge group contain animals often mistaken for insects such as spiders and centipedes.

All termites species live in social colonies meaning that they have a queen and a hierarchy with each type of termite, or caste. Each caste is responsible for specific work such as tending young, defending the colony, or reproducing.

Hemiptera means half wings; hemi = half, ptera = wings. The front wings of these insects are divided between a thickened basal region and a membranous tip.

Stick insects are usually extremely elongated and twig-like in appearance. Sometimes this camouflage is taken a step further with the addition of leaf-like structures.