ENT 3010 Taxa

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Sight ID characters for many taxa you'll encounter (and some you probably won't)!
Note: this page is MUCH better on a computer than a mobile device or (probably) a tablet.
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Order Family Common Name Characters
Protura Coneheads wingless; no antennae, forelegs held as "pseudo-antennae"; minute
Collembola Springtails wingless; forked "tail" (furcula) near end of abdomen; "peg" (collophore) on venter of 1st abdominal segment
Entomobryidae Slender springtails slender; pronotum poorly developed; 4th tergum 2x length of 3rd
Sminthuridae Puppy springtails globular
Diplura Two-pronged bristletails wingless; cerci present (elongate or forceps-like); median caudal filament absent
Archaeognatha (Microcoryphia) Jumping bristletails wingless; cerci and median caudal filament present (3 "tails"); humpbacked; large contiguous eyes
Zygentoma (Thysanura) Silverfish wingless; overlapping thoracic nota; flattened; cerci and median caudal filament present (3 "tails"); small separate eyes
Ephemeroptera Mayflies wings held vertically over back, hind wings (often very) reduced
Ephemeridae Common burrower mayflies large; hind wing well developed; MP2 and CuA bent sharply downward
Baetidae Small minnow mayflies small; hind wing tiny/absent; short paired veinlets between major veins at wing margins; median caudal filament reduced/absent
Odonata Dragonflies, damselflies wings held spread-eagle or vertically over back; pterostigma on all wings; short bristle-like antennae
== Anisoptera Dragonflies hind wing broader at base than fore wing; compound eyes large and close together; wings held spread-eagle at rest
Aeshnidae Darners hind wing lacking anal loop; compound eyes contiguous
Libellulidae Skimmers hind wing with anal loop with boot-like toe; compound eyes separated
==Zygoptera Damselflies all wings rougly equal in size at base, sometimes "stalked"; wings held more or less vertically over back at rest; compound eyes small and separated (hammerhead)
Calopterygidae Broad-winged damselflies 10 or more antenodal crossveins
Coenagrionidae Narrow-winged damselflies 2-3 antenodal crossveins; M3 arriving nearer nodus than arculus
Zoraptera Angel insects short, 1-segmented cerci; moniliform antennae; polymorphic, may have wings or may be without
Dermaptera Earwigs anal forceps (cerci) present
Plecoptera Stoneflies "ladder" of veins and crossveins running diagonally across fore wings; wings held flat and extending past tip of abdomen at rest; long filiform antennae
Perlidae Common Stoneflies cubito-anal crossveins of fore wing very close to anal cell; remnants of gills on thorax
Orthoptera Grasshoppers, crickets, katydids saltatorial hind legs; leathery thickened fore wings (tegmina)
==Caelifera Grasshoppers, locusts short antennae; ovipositor unclear, not obvious
Acrididae Short-horned grasshoppers tympana on sides of abdomen near thorax; 3-3-3 tarsal formula; short antennae
Tetrigidae Pygmy grasshoppers pronotum extended to cover wings and abdomen
Tridactylidae Pygmy mole crickets small; fossorial forelimbs; 2-2-1 or 2-2-0 tarsal formula
==Ensifera Crickets and katydids long antennae; ovipositor easily visible
Gryllidae True crickets 3-3-3 tarsal formula; spear-shaped ovipositor; wings usually flat over back
Gryllotalpidae Mole crickets fossorial forelegs
Tettigoniidae Katydids 4-4-4 tarsal formula; sword-shaped ovipositor; wings usually angled over back
Phasmida (Phasmatodea) Walking sticks prothorax shorter than meso- or metathorax; wings reduced/absent
Diapheromeridae Common walking sticks thin and stick-like
Pseudophasmatidae Striped walking sticks short and fat; often striped
Mantodea Mantids elongate prothorax; raptorial forelimbs; triangular face
Blattodea Cockroaches, termites
Blattidae Common roaches head covered by pronotum; long filiform antennae; leathery fore wings overlapping across back
Rhinotermitidae Subterranean termites termite-shaped; soft and white (usually); found in colonies
Thysanoptera Thrips small; body widest in middle, tapering towards both ends; wings slender and fringed with hair
Aeolothripidae Predatory thrips fore wings broad, with rounded tips
Phlaeothripidae Tube-tailed thrips fore wings narrow; body dark; last abdominal segment tubular
Hemiptera ("Homoptera", Heteroptera) True bugs piercing-sucking beak
== "Homoptera" beak arises near back of head (opisthognathous); fore wings uniform in texture, held tent-like over back
Aleyrodidae Whiteflies wings uniformly opaque white; miniscule; often in greenhouses
Aphididae Aphids cornicles on abdomen; soft-bodied; rounded abdomen
Cercopidae Froghoppers/spittlebugs hind tibiae with circlet/crown of spines at tip (compare to Cicadellidae with row of spines); short bristle-like antennae; wedge-shaped head
Cicadellidae Leafhoppers hind tibiae with comblike row of spines along length (compare to Cercopidae with crown of spines); short bristle-like antennae; wedge-shaped head
Cicadidae Cicadas large membranous fore wings; 3 ocelli; stout-bodied
Coccidae Scale insects Legs and antennae not apparent; anal opening with 2 triangular plates and anal cleft; usually sessile on plants
Membracidae Treehoppers pronotum extends over wings and abdomen, often intricately shaped; often somewhat triangular in side view
== Heteroptera fore wings leathery at base, membranous towards tip
Acanthosomatidae Parent bugs 5-segmented antennae; body somewhat shield-shaped; scutellum usually triangular; 2-segmented tarsi (compare to 3-segmented tarsi in Pentatomidae); tibiae weakly spined
Aradidae Flat bugs abdomen extends beyond wings in all directions; flat and bark-like in appearance
Belostomatidae Giant water bugs strap-like respiratory tubes at end of abdomen; flattened hind legs; dorsal outline of head broken by eyes (compare to smooth outline in Naucoridae); thick forefemora; elongated ovoid body; aquatic
Berytidae Stilt bugs all legs long and thin; antennae clubbed; head not elongated; body thin and short
Cimicidae Bed bugs wingless; flattened body; 3-segmented beak does not fit into prosternal groove
Coreidae Leaf-footed bugs 4-segmented antennae; head narrower and shorter than pronotum; scent gland openings present between meso- and metacoxae; many parallel veins in fore wing membrane
Corixidae Water boatmen Scoop-like front tarsi; beak usually not visible, reduced; sternum lighter than dorsum; aquatic
Gelastocoridae Toad bugs eyes protruding; body warty, toad-shaped; aquatic/riparian
Gerridae Water striders hind femur extends past tip of abdomen (compare to ending before tip of abdomen in Veliidae); anteapical tarsal claws; body usually dark black, wings difficult to distinguish or absent; aquatic (surface)
Hydrometridae Water measurers slender body; head as long as thorax, with slightly rounded tip, resembling a "clown nose"; eyes on sides of head; aquatic (usually surface)
Lygaeidae Seed bugs 4-segmented antennae; ocelli present; only 4 or 5 strong veins in fore wing membrane; all abdominal spiracles dorsal
Miridae Plant bugs cuneus present; 4-segmented beak; ocelli absent
Nabidae Damsel bugs very long, skinny beak; body usually elongate; raptorial fore legs; numerous closed cells around margin of fore wing membrane; can be riparian
Nepidae Water scorpions long respiratory "tube" at end of abdomen; either slender-bodied & elongate with long raptorial fore legs OR compact & ovoid, resembling Belostomatidae; aquatic
Pentatomidae Stink bugs 5-segmented antennae; usually shield-shaped; scutellum usually triangular; 3-segmented tarsi (compare to 2-segmented tarsi in Acanthosomatidae); tibiae weakly spined
Reduviidae Assassin bugs 3-segmented beak fitting into prosternal groove; prosternal groove with transverse striations; raptorial fore legs
==Emesinae Thread-legged bugs threadlike mid and hind legs, raptorial fore legs; body narrow, elongated
==Phymatinae Ambush bugs last antennal segment swollen; 3-segmented antennae; chelate (crab-claw) fore legs
Rhopalidae Scentless plant bugs similar to Lygaeidae, but with more than 5 parallel veins in fore wing membrane
Tingidae Lace bugs fore wings heavily sculptured, somewhat hardened, with a "lacy" appearance; 4-segmented slightly clubbed antennae; ocelli absent
Veliidae Small water striders hind femora ending before tip of abdomen (compare to extending beyond the abdomen in Gerridae); anteapical tarsal claws; aquatic (surface)
Psocodea Barklice, booklice, parasitic lice thread-like antennae; "neck" between head and thorax (bark/booklice) OR small, wingless, bristly (parasitic lice)
Psocidae Common barklice thorax broader than abdomen; broad head with long filiform antennae; wings held tent-like over abdomen
Pediculidae Body lice thorax narrower than abdomen; compound eyes present
Coleoptera Beetles fore wings hardened, meeting in a straight line to cover the abdomen and hind wings; prothorax usually large and distinct
==Adephaga 1st abdominal sternum divided by hind coxae
Carabidae Ground beetles foretibiae with antennal cleaner; hind trochanters large and offset from femora
Dytiscidae Predacious diving beetles flat swimming hind tarsi; short maxillary palps (compare to very long palps in Hydrophilidae); single tibial claw on hind leg; rounded on bottom ("watermelon seed")
==Polyphaga 1st abdominal sternum undivided by hind coxae
Brentidae Primitive weevils rostrate; non-elbowed antennae (compare to elbowed antennae in Curculionidae)
Buprestidae Metallic wood-boring beetles 1st and 2nd abdominal segments fused; elongate, bullet-shaped body; many metallic
Cantharidae Soldier beetles head visible from above (compare to Lampyridae with head hidden by pronotum); elytra soft
Cerambycidae Longhorned beetles antennae at least 0.5x body length, often much longer; eye elongate, usually wrapping around antennal bases; 3rd tarsomere on each leg bilobed
Chrysomelidae Leaf and flea beetles short, nonclubbed antennae; 3rd tarsomere on each leg bilobed
Cleridae Checkered beetles pronotum narrower than base of elytra; 5-5-5 tarsal formula with lobed tarsomeres, 4th typically difficult to distinguish; often pubescent
Coccinellidae Lady beetles very rounded, domed elytra; terminal palpal segment hatchet-shaped; antennae clavate, very short
Curculionidae Weevils rostrate; elbowed antennae (compare to Brentidae with non-elbowed antennae)
==Platypodinae Ambrosia beetles reddish-gold; long and rectangular; metasternum often very long (hind legs appearing as if on abdomen; squared-off end of abdomen; convex round eyes; tibiae longer than tarsi
==Scolytinae Bark beetles squat; long flat oval eyes; body roughly cylindrical; head somewhat withdrawn into prothorax
Dermestidae Carpet beetles tip of abdomen extends beyond elytra; last tarsel segment longer than others; antennae capitate with 3-segmented club
Elateridae Click beetles anterolateral corners of pronotum pointed; prosternal spine and mesosternal groove usually present
Erotylidae Pleasing fungus beetles shiny, glabrous elytra; antennal club broad, flat, 3-segmented
Geotrupidae Round earth-boring beetles rounded; grooved elytra; lamellate antennae; no constriction between thorax and abdomen; appear very similar to Scarabaeidae
Heteroceridae Variegated marsh-loving beetles brown-and-tan blotched elytra; very short antennae; fossorial and strongly spined foretibiae
Histeridae Clown beetles 2 abdominal tergites exposed beyond elytra; body greatly rounded, with grooves to receive appendages (legs, antennae); antennae short with abrupt 3-segmented club
Hydrophilidae maxillary palps longer than antennae (compare to short palps in Dytiscidae); antennae short and clubbed; flat on bottom (not "watermelon seed"); some with sternal ridge/keel
Lampyridae Fireflies head mostly to entirely hidden beneath pronotum when viewed from above (compare to visible head in Cantharidae); elytra soft; many (not all) with pale sternites at tip of abdomen
Lucanidae Stag beetles 10-segmented, lamellate antennae with space between segments of club
Lycidae Net-winged beetles elytra strongly ridged with veins and crossveins; serrate antennae
Meloidae Blister beetles cleft tarsal claws (appears to have 4 per leg); pronotum narrower than head and elytra; elytra separated (diverging) at tips
Mordellidae Tumbling flower beetles tip of abdomen long, pointed, extending beyond elytra; humped back
Passalidae Bess beetles one forward-pointing horn on head; strongly grooved elytra; narrow constriction between pronotum and rest of body; lamellate antennae; shiny black bodies with short red-golden hairs closely appressed to anterior edge of thorax
Scarabaeidae Scarab beetles lamellate antennae with compact club; 5-5-5 tarsal formula; fossorial foretibiae; strongly resemble Geotrupidae
Silphidae (now Staphylinidae) Carrion and burying beetles antennae with noncompactible club; 5-5-5 tarsal formula; tip of abdomen extending slightly beyond elytra
Staphylinidae Rove beetles elytra leaving (usually) at least 4 abdominal tergites exposed, often squared-off; body (usually) elongate; highly variable family, good luck
Tenebrionidae Darkling beetles 5-5-4 tarsal formula; elytra wrapping slightly around sides of abdomen; 11-segmented antennae arising from frontal ridge anterior to eyes
Trogossitidae Bark-gnawing beetles head visible from above; anterolateral corners of pronotum projecting, rounded
Megaloptera Dobsonflies, fishflies, alderflies many crossveins along leading edges of wings; hind wings pleated for folding
Corydalidae Dobsonflies plumose antennae; ocelli present; wings clear or partially smoky; sturdy mandibles, very elongated and slender (males) OR short and stout (females)
Sialidae Alderflies small; no ocelli present
Neuroptera Lacewings and allies many crossveins along leading edges of wings; all wings similar in size and shape
Ascalaphidae Owlflies resemble dragonflies with long knobbed antennae
Berothidae Beaded lacewings brown; long forked costal crossveins; small dots along wing veins
Chrysopidae Green lacewings green/pale, unforked costal crossveins
Hemerobiidae Brown lacewings brown; short forked costal crossveins
Mantispidae Mantisflies elongate prothorax; numerous crossveins near leading edge of wing; raptorial forelimbs
Myrmeleontidae Antlions resemble damselflies with short clubbed antennae
Lepidoptera Butterflies and moths body and wings covered in small scales; mouthparts modified into coiled proboscis
Cossidae Carpenter and leopard moths streamlined wings appearing dull and greasy; mouthparts vestigial except for palps; usually stout-bodied
Erebidae Underwings, tiger moths, tussock moths, etc. quadrifid venation in both fore and hind wings
==Arctiinae Tiger moths leopard-like spots on fore wings
==Erebinae Underwings hind wings marked with concentric bands of contrasting colors
Geometridae Geometer moths lined pattern on wings continuous from fore to hind wings; trifid venation in fore and hind wigns; tympana on 1st abdominal segment
Lasiocampidae Tent caterpillar and lappet moths frenulum absent; hind wing with 2 humeral veins
Noctuidae Owlet moths 3 medio-cubital veins reaching distal margin of hind wing; good luck
Saturniidae Giant silk moths large lobed wings; vestigial mouthparts; stout-bodied
Sesiidae Clearwinged moths wasp mimics (look for siphoning mouthparts); wings lack pigmented scales; fore wing narrow, hind wing broad
Sphingidae Sphinx and hawk moths thick streamlined body; hind wings shorter than fore wings; wings often held in an inverted "V" shape along the body
Yponomeutidae (incl. Attevidae) Ermine moths wings narrow, colorful, rolled at rest
==Papilionoidea Butterflies Clubbed antennae
Hesperiidae Skippers antennae apically recurved and basally widely separated; head about as wide as thorax
Lycaenidae Blues, coppers, hairstreaks antennae with alternating black and white bands; sturdy, hairy, extended palps; delicate wings; eye often surrounded by white ring
Nymphalidae Brush-footed butterflies front legs generally reduced and lacking claws; monarchs and friends, wood-satyrs
Papilionidae Swallowtails and parmassians "tail" (swallowtails) or red/orange spot (parmassians) on hind wing; cubitus in front wing appearing 4-branched
Pieridae Yellows, whites, sulphurs well-developed front legs; bifid tarsal claws; usually white/yellow/orange with black markings
Trichoptera Caddisflies wings held tent-like over body; wing scales modified into hairs; mouthparts not modified into coiled proboscis
Mecoptera Scorpionflies, hangingflies, fleas rostrate "horse" head; fore and hind wings extend beyond abdomen (Mecoptera) OR laterally flattened; long saltatorial hind legs; bristly ("Siphonaptera")
Bittacidae Hangingflies delicate, slender bodies and legs; grasping hind tarsi; resemble 4-winged crane flies
Boreidae Snow scorpionflies small; wingless; heavily sclerotized, dark; elongate rostrum
Panorpidae Common scorpionflies elongate rostrum; wings usually spotted or banded; body typically yellow-brown or red-brown; males with upwardly-hooked, bulbed abdomen, resembling scorpion's tail
(formerly) Siphonaptera Pulicidae Fleas wingless; laterally flattened; saltatorial, bristly hind legs; body covered in bristles pointing towards the head
Hymenoptera Bees, ants, wasps hamuli on costa of hind wing; triangular stigma present in fore wing ("Symphyta", some Apocrita) OR "wasp-waist" present (Apocrita)
==Symphyta Sawflies and horntails thorax broadly joined to abdomen; triangular stigma present in fore wing
Siricidae Horntails front tibiae with 1 very noticeable preapical spur; ovipositor appears to begin in center of abdomen (females); tip of abdomen extended into a dorsal spur (both sexes)
Tenthredinidae Common sawflies thick filiform antennae; tibiae with 2 preapical spurs
==Apocrita thorax constricted before abdomen ("wasp-waist"), with first abdominal segment appressed to thorax (propodeum) and followed by a petiole
==="Parasitica" Parasitoid wasps
Braconidae Braconid wasps 1 recurrent vein in fore wing (i.e. no costal cell); no "horse head" present in fore wing (compare to horse head, 2 recurrent veins/costal cell present in Ichneumonidae); 2-segmented hind trochanters with 1st segment expanded; 2 small cells below stigma of fore wing
Chalcidoidea (superfam.) Chalcidoid wasps venation in fore wings highly reduced or absent; wings often lightly bristly; pronotum triangular in lateral view
Chrysididae Cuckoo wasps metallic blue/green with coarse sculpturing over body; 3 or 4 abdominal segments visible externally
Evaniidae Ensign wasps small ovoid abdomen; abdomen attached high above hind coxae, appearing as a "signal flag"
Ichneumonidae Ichneumonid/Darwin wasps 2 recurrent veins in fore wing (costal cell present); "horse head" present in fore wing (compare to 1 recurrent vein, no horse head in Braconidae); hind trochanters 2-segmented with 1st segment expanded
===Aculeata Aculeate/stinging wasps ovipositor of female modified into stinger
Andrenidae Mining bees fore wing with free section of M straight; 2 subantennal sutures beneath each antennal socket (hard to see); in teaching collection, many golden hairs on face
Apidae Stereotypical bees 1st segment of hind tarsi enlarged and flattened to form scopa (pollen-carrying structure); hairs, if present, branched (can be hard to see)
Colletidae Polyester bees jugal lobe in hind wing longer than submedian cell
Crabronidae "Former Sphecidae" pronotum anteriorly rounded; thumb-shaped lobe not reaching tegula; abdomen attached to thorax with short to very short stalk; difficult to differentiate from Sphecidae, good luck
Formicidae Ants geniculate antennae; petiole with 1 or 2 nodes
Halictidae Sweat bees three submarginal cells in fore wing AND basal vein in fore wing strongly arched; often metallic, but with more than 3 abdominal segments visible and not roughly sculptured (compare to Chrysididae with few abdominal segments and rough texture)
Megachilidae Mason bees fore wings with 2 submarginal cells roughly equal in length; abdomen slightly heart-shaped; scopa on ventral side of abdomen (long rigid hairs)
Mutillidae Velvet ants densely pubescent; females resemble ants without nodes; felt lines on 2nd abdominal tergum; males winged, females unwinged
Pompilidae Spider wasps hind femur reaching tip of abdomen; tibiae with 2 large apical spurs; mesopleuron bisected by transverse suture; can be mistaken for Sphecidae if abdomen petiolate
Scoliidae Scoliid wasps many small longitudinal wrinkles on wings; wings usually darkened; no closed cells at apex of fore wings (veins end before apex of wing)
Sphecidae Thread-waisted wasps stalked abdomen, with petiole composed of only sternite; middle tibiae with 2 apical spurs; pronotum rounded anteriorly, with thumb-shaped lobe not reaching tegula; difficult to differentiate from Crabronidae and some Pompilidae)
Thynnidae/Tiphiidae Flower wasps 2 posteriorly pointing lobes on mesosternum, between trochanters of middle legs
Vespidae Stereotypical wasps fore wings folded longitudinally at rest ("hot dog"); posterior margin of pronotum distinctly U-shaped
Diptera True flies fore wings membranous; hind wings reduced to club-like halteres
=="Nematocera" antennae with >6 distinct segments; usually slender, frail-bodied
Bibionidae March flies ocelli present; antennae short, stout, low on face; usually black-bodied and black-winged
Ceratopogonidae No-see-ums very small; ocelli absent; costa and Rs well-developed, other veins weak
Chironomidae Midges plumose antennae; M unforked; chewing mouthparts
Culicidae Mosquitoes plumose antennae; scales on wing veins; hump-backed thorax; piercing-sucking long proboscis
Ptychopteridae Phantom crane flies one anal vein reaching wing margin (compare to two in Tipulidae); halteres with small process at back
Simuliidae Black flies broad wings; posterior wing veins poorly developed
Tipulidae Crane flies V-shaped suture on mesonotum; two anal veins reaching wing margin (compare to one in Ptychopteridae); prominent halteres
==Brachycera antennae with 3-4 segments; last antennal segment annulated/stylate
Asilidae Robber flies beard (mystax) on face; vertex sunken
Bombyliidae Bee flies long proboscis; R2+3 and R4 sinuate; usually fuzzy-bodied
Dolichopodidae Long-legged flies small, delicate, long legs; Rs 2-branched; often metallic
Stratiomyidae Soldier flies circular discal cell near wing center
Tabanidae Horse/deer flies R4 and R5 enclose wing tip in Y-shape; third antennal segment elongate, annulated; large compound eyes
===Cyclorrhapha Higher flies antennae with 3 segments and arista
Calliphoridae Blow flies hypopleuron and pteropleuron with bristles; notopleuron with 2 bristles; arista plumose to tip; postscutellum absent
Hippoboscidae Keds flat and tick-like; coxae widely separated
Muscidae House flies and kin hypopleuron without bristles; arista plumose to tip; Cu2 + 2A never reaches wing margin
Oestridae Bot flies large; hairy; mouthparts absent
Phoridae Scuttle flies humpbacked; hind femora laterally compressed
Sarcophagidae Flesh flies arista bare OR plumose only in basal half; hypopleuron and pteropleuron with bristles; notopleuron with 4 bristles
Syrphidae Hover flies spurious vein bisecting r-m crossvein; abdomen usually dorsoventrally flattened; often mimic wasps
Tachinidae Parasitic flies postscutellum bulging; abdomen with stout bristles; arista bare and unbranched; hypopleuron and pteropleuron with bristles
Ulidiidae Picture-winged flies costa unbroken near end of Sc; wings often patterned; somewhat slender, often orangeish

Bristle Table for some Higher Flies

Are there bristles on the hypopleuron? (yes/no/doesn't matter [X])
Are there bristles on the pteropleuron? (yes/no/doesn't matter [X])
Are there bristles on the notopleuron? (how many/doesn't matter [X])
What's the postscutellum like?

Hypopleuron Pteropleuron Notopleuron Postscutellum
Muscidae no X X absent/inconspicuous
Calliphoridae yes yes 2 absent/inconspicuous
Sarcophagidae yes yes 4 absent/inconspicuous
Tachinidae yes yes X bulging


a diagram showing the locations of bristles on the thorax of higher flies