ENT 3010 Taxa

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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

	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

Bristle Table for some Higher Flies