characteristics of insects
how to identify insects in common insect orders
Characteristics of Insects
- exoskeleton
- 3 body regions: head, thorax, abdomen
- 3 pairs of segmented legs
- 1 pair of antennae
- most have 2 pairs of wings (a few insects, such as ants, don't have wings; some insects, such as flies, only have 1 pair of wings)
Most insects can fold their wings flat along their bodies.
A few insects can't fold their wings.
Mayflies hold their wings straight up away from their bodies. 
Dragonflies hold their wings out to the sides. 
Damselflies, which are closely related to the dragonflies, hold their wings somewhat similar to a Mayfly or slightly out to the sides similar to a Dragonfly. 
Grasshoppers have hind legs adapted for jumping. They have chewing mouthparts. 
Mantids have front legs adapted for grabbing other insects for food. 
Bugs have front wings that are half membranous and half thickened. 
Cicadas have clear wings that they hold roof-like over their bodies and beaks designed for sucking up liquids. Leafhoppers and planthoppers are in the same order as cicadas. Their wings are frequently patterned rather than clear but also hold their wings roof-like over their bodies and suck up plant juices through a beak.
Like cicadas, Lacewings have clear wings held roof-like over their bodies, but they have mouths designed for chewing. 
The front pair of a Beetle's wings are thick and hard and meet in a line down the center of the back. Their hind wings are membranous and folded under the front wings. 
Flies have 1 pair of wings. 
Butterflies have 2 pairs of wings covered with scales that create colorful patterns.
Wasps, bees and ants have either 2 pairs of wings, or don't have wings. They have chewing mouthparts.
Coming soon: a glossy magazine on insect identification containing more detailed information and featuring a selection of my images. This new publication will help you learn how to identify insects to family rather than order or suborder like this short brochure. If you would like to be informed when this magazine is available, send an email to donna@donnabrunet.com.
If you are trying to decide whether the insects you are viewing in your yard are termites or ants with wings, take a look at my page describing the ways to correctly identify members of the two groups.
updated 8 January 2012
