Unveiling the Hidden World: An Introductory Survey of Insect Taxonomy and Diversity

Extended Reference

Major Insect Orders

Coleoptera (Beetles)

• Carabidae (Ground Beetles): Known for their beneficial role in agriculture as predators of pests.

• Cerambycidae (Long-horned Beetles): Characterized by extremely long antennae.

• Coccinellidae (Ladybugs or Lady Beetles): Often brightly colored with spots, known for their role in controlling aphids and other pest insects.

• Scarabaeidae (Scarabs): Includes dung beetles, which play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and soil aeration.

• Curculionidae (Weevils): Recognizable by their distinctive snout and known for their economic impact as pests in agriculture.

Diptera (Flies)

• Muscidae (House Flies): Common in human habitats, these are often associated with sanitation issues.

• Culicidae (Mosquitoes): Important as vectors of diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika virus.

• Tachinidae (Tachinid Flies): Parasitic flies, important as biological control agents of pest insects.

• Syrphidae (Hoverflies): Beneficial for their role in pollination and the larvae's consumption of aphids.

• Calliphoridae (Blowflies): Includes species that are important in forensic entomology as well as pest management.

Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

• Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies): Includes many familiar species such as monarchs and morphos.

• Sphingidae (Hawk Moths): Known for their rapid flying and hovering ability, similar to hummingbirds.

• Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm Moths): Notable for their size and impressive caterpillars.

• Pieridae (Whites and Sulphurs): Commonly found in gardens and meadows, known for their bright colors.

• Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, and Hairstreaks): Small but brightly colored, often with metallic or iridescent wing scales.

Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps)

• Formicidae (Ants): Extremely diverse in habitat and behavior, with complex social structures.

• Apidae (Bees including Honeybees, Bumblebees): Crucial for pollination, including many species vital to agriculture.

• Vespidae (Social Wasps): Includes yellow jackets and hornets, known for their paper nests.

• Ichneumonidae (Ichneumon Wasps): One of the largest families, primarily parasitic or parasitoids of other insects.

• Sphecidae (Thread-waisted Wasps): Known for their elongated waists and behaviors of provisioning nests with paralyzed prey.

Hemiptera (True Bugs)

• Aphididae (Aphids): Small, often green insects that are common pests in gardens and on crops.

• Cimicidae (Bed Bugs): Known for their parasitic relationships with humans.

• Pentatomidae (Stink Bugs): Emit a characteristic odor when disturbed; some are serious agricultural pests.

• Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs): Includes predatory species that are beneficial for controlling pest insect populations.

• Cicadidae (Cicadas): Known for their periodic mass emergences and loud mating calls.

Orthoptera (Grasshoppers, Crickets)

• Acrididae (Grasshoppers and Locusts): Some species can form swarms and are significant agricultural pests.

• Gryllidae (True Crickets): Known for their chirping sounds, produced by stridulation.

• Tettigoniidae (Katydids): Often green, resembling leaves, and known for their long antennae and musical sounds.

• Mantidae (Mantids): Predatory, well-known for their "praying" posture.

Odonata (Dragonflies, Damselflies)

• Libellulidae (Common Dragonflies): Widespread and often seen hovering near water.

• Calopterygidae (Broad-winged Damselflies): Known for their metallic colors and broad wings.

• Coenagrionidae (Pond Damselflies): Typically smaller, more delicate, and brightly colored.

Genera of Coleoptera

Carabidae (Ground Beetles)

• Carabus: Known for their large, attractive, and often metallic bodies.

• Calosoma: Includes the "caterpillar hunters," which are voracious predators of caterpillars and other insects.

• Pterostichus: A common genus found in a variety of habitats, known for its adaptability.

Cerambycidae (Long-horned Beetles)

• Anoplophora: Includes the infamous Asian long-horned beetle, a serious pest of hardwood trees.

• Cerambyx: Features species that typically infest dying or dead wood.

• Xylotrechus: Another genus where members often have striking patterns and are associated with wood.

Coccinellidae (Ladybugs or Lady Beetles)

• Coccinella: The quintessential ladybug, often red with black spots.

• Harmonia: Includes the Asian lady beetle, which is both a beneficial insect and sometimes a nuisance.

• Adalia: Features species commonly used in biological control efforts, such as the two-spotted ladybug.

Scarabaeidae (Scarabs)

• Scarabaeus: The classic dung beetle, which rolls dung into balls for use as food or breeding chambers.

• Phyllophaga: A large genus of beetles, commonly known as June beetles or May beetles, that are often pests to various crops.

• Dynastes: Includes some of the largest beetles in the world, such as the Hercules beetle.

Curculionidae (Weevils)

• Sitophilus: Includes grain weevils, which are important pests of stored cereals.

• Otiorhynchus: Known as the vine weevil, which is notorious for damaging a wide range of plants, especially in gardens and nurseries.

• Rhynchophorus: Contains the palm weevil, which is a major pest of palm trees worldwide.

Genera of Diptera (flies)

Muscidae (House Flies)

• Musca: The genus of the common house fly, Musca domestica, which is often associated with human settlements and can be a vector for diseases.

• Fannia: Known for the "lesser house fly", these flies are frequent indoors and have characteristic flight patterns.

• Stomoxys: Includes the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, which is similar to the house fly but bites and feeds on blood.

Culicidae (Mosquitoes)

• Anopheles: This genus includes species that are primary vectors for malaria.

• Aedes: Includes vectors of several viral diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever, and Zika virus (e.g., Aedes aegypti).

• Culex: Known for transmitting West Nile virus and other pathogens; Culex pipiens is a common species widely distributed around the world.

Tachinidae (Tachinid Flies)

• Tachina: A genus of flies whose larvae are endoparasites of caterpillars and other insects, making them valuable in biological control.

• Exorista: Similar to Tachina, with larvae that parasitize moths and butterflies.

• Gonia: A genus whose larvae typically parasitize grasshoppers and beetles.

Syrphidae (Hoverflies)

• Syrphus: One of the most common genera of hoverflies, whose larvae are avid consumers of aphids.

• Eristalis: Includes the "drone fly", which is often seen hovering near flowers; its larvae, known as rat-tailed maggots, live in stagnant water.

• Episyrphus: Known for the species Episyrphus balteatus, commonly called the marmalade fly, another important aphid predator.

Calliphoridae (Blowflies)

• Calliphora: Known for the blue and green bottle flies, such as Calliphora vicina, which are important in forensic entomology.

• Lucilia: Includes the green bottle fly, Lucilia sericata, which is used in maggot therapy for cleaning wounds.

• Chrysomya: Important in tropical regions; some species are involved in myiasis (infestation of live human and vertebrate animal tissue).

Genera of Lepidoptera

Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)

• Danaus: Includes the well-known Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), famous for its migration across North America.

• Morpho: Known for their striking, iridescent blue wings, these butterflies are amongst the largest in Central and South America.

• Vanessa: This genus includes the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), which is widely distributed and known for its long migrations.

Sphingidae (Hawk Moths)

• Manduca: Includes the Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta), used extensively in research and known for its larval stage that affects tobacco plants.

• Sphinx: Known for the Sphinx moth, which is characterized by its robust body and strong flying ability.

• Acherontia: Famous for the Death's-head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos), known for its distinctive skull pattern and appearance in popular culture.

Saturniidae (Giant Silkworm Moths)

• Attacus: Includes the Atlas moth (Attacus atlas), one of the largest moths in the world with a wingspan up to 12 inches.

• Antheraea: Known for producing commercial silk, especially the Tussar silk moth (Antheraea mylitta).

• Callosamia: Includes the Promethea Silkmoth (Callosamia promethea), noted for its large size and beautiful, camouflaged coloring.

Pieridae (Whites and Sulphurs)

• Pieris: Includes several species commonly found in gardens, such as the Cabbage White (Pieris rapae).

• Colias: The Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice) and other brightly colored species are in this genus.

• Gonepteryx: Known for the Brimstone butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni), with its leaf-shaped wings and prolonged lifespan.

Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, and Hairstreaks)

• Lycaena: Includes the Coppers, such as the American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), recognized for their bright orange and red wing colors.

• Thecla: The Hairstreaks, known for their thin, hair-like tails extending from the hind wings which can confuse predators.

• Polyommatus: Includes the Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus), widespread across Europe and recognizable by its vibrant blue wings.

Genera of Hymenoptera

Formicidae (Ants)

• Camponotus: Commonly known as carpenter ants, these ants are known for building their nests in wood.

• Formica: Includes wood ants and other species that are notable for creating large mound nests in forests and grasslands.

• Solenopsis: Includes the infamous fire ants, known for their painful stings and aggressive behavior.

Apidae (Bees including Honeybees, Bumblebees)

• Apis: The genus of honeybees, including Apis mellifera (the Western honeybee), which is extensively managed for honey production and pollination.

• Bombus: Encompasses the bumblebees, robust and hairy, well-known for their ability to buzz pollinate.

• Melipona: Includes stingless bees, which are native to tropical environments and also produce honey.

Vespidae (Social Wasps)

• Vespa: Includes the true hornets, like the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), the largest hornet species.

• Vespula: Includes yellow jackets, which are aggressive wasps capable of stinging multiple times and known for their distinctive black and yellow markings.

• Polistes: Known as paper wasps, recognized for their open and exposed nests and less aggressive nature compared to yellow jackets.

Ichneumonidae (Ichneumon Wasps)

• Ichneumon: A large genus within this family, these wasps are parasitoids, laying their eggs in or on other insects, which the larva then use as food.

• Ophion: The larvae of these wasps primarily target caterpillars, making them valuable in controlling pest populations.

• Pimpla: These are also parasitoids, with some species known to attack spiders.

Sphecidae (Thread-waisted Wasps)

• Ammophila: Known for their long, slender waists and behaviors of constructing nests in the sand and provisioning them with caterpillars.

• Sphecius: Famous for the genus that includes the cicada killer wasp, which hunts cicadas to provision their underground nests.

• Sceliphron: Commonly known as mud daubers, these wasps build characteristic mud nests and are generally non-aggressive.

Genera of Hemiptera (True Bugs)

Aphididae (Aphids)

• Aphis: Perhaps the most well-known genus of aphids, includes the common Green Peach Aphid, which is a major pest on a wide variety of plants.

• Myzus: Includes the Rose Aphid, which is notorious for damaging roses by sucking sap and transmitting plant viruses.

• Macrosiphum: Includes the large and destructive Potato Aphid, which affects many different host plants.

Cimicidae (Bed Bugs)

• Cimex: The most infamous genus within this family, includes Cimex lectularius (the common bed bug), which feeds on human blood and is found in temperate regions, and Cimex hemipterus, found in tropical regions.

• Leptocimex: Includes species like Leptocimex boueti that are typically associated with bats but can also parasitize humans in the absence of their primary host.

Pentatomidae (Stink Bugs)

• Halyomorpha: Includes the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys), an invasive species in North America and Europe that causes significant damage to fruits and vegetables.

• Nezara: Features the Green Stink Bug, which is common in many parts of the world and feeds on a wide array of crops.

• Euschistus: Includes several species commonly found in agricultural settings, often causing damage to soybeans, corn, and other crops.

Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)

• Rhodnius: Known for species like Rhodnius prolixus, which is not only a predator but also a vector for Chagas disease in humans.

• Zelus: A genus of assassin bugs known for their agile hunting skills and typically found on crops where they prey on pest insects.

• Assassinus: A less known but aptly named genus that highlights the predatory nature of these insects.

Cicadidae (Cicadas)

• Magicicada: Includes the periodical cicadas of North America, known for their unique 13- or 17-year life cycles and synchronized mass emergences.

• Cicada: A large genus with many species found around the world, known for their loud calls which are used to attract mates.

• Lyristes: Another genus of cicadas, known for species like the European Cicada, which is found throughout parts of Europe.

Genera of Orthoptera

Acrididae (Grasshoppers and Locusts)

• Locusta: Includes the Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria), which is famous for its swarming behavior and significant impact on agriculture.

• Schistocerca: Features the Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria), notorious for its swarming abilities and the widespread damage it can cause to crops.

• Melanoplus: Includes the Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis), a common pest in North American agriculture.

Gryllidae (True Crickets)

• Gryllus: A well-known genus that includes the Field Cricket, commonly found in meadows and gardens across various continents.

• Acheta: Includes the House Cricket (Acheta domesticus), often used as a pet food for reptiles and as a fishing bait.

• Teleogryllus: Known for species like the Oceanic Field Cricket, prevalent in many Pacific regions and noted for their loud chirping.

Tettigoniidae (Katydids)

• Tettigonia: Includes the Bush Cricket or Katydid, large and leaf-green, well-known for their loud, musical calls during the evening and night.

• Conocephalus: The Cone-headed Katydid, often found in grasslands and meadows, recognized by their elongated cone-shaped heads.

• Phaneroptera: Features the Common Green Katydid, which is widespread across Europe and Asia, and known for its gentle song.

Mantidae (Mantids)

• Mantis: The most iconic genus, which includes the well-known Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa), recognized by its prayer-like posture and predatory habits.

• Tenodera: Includes the Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis), often used in gardens for pest control due to its appetite for various harmful insects.

• Sphodromantis: Known for species like the African Mantis, these are larger mantids often kept as pets for their impressive size and hunting skills.

Species Examples and Details of Insect Genera

Carabidae (Ground Beetles)

• Carabus nemoralis: Known as the woodland ground beetle, commonly found in Europe in forested areas and gardens.

• Calosoma scrutator: Known as the fiery searcher, this beetle is prized by gardeners for its role in controlling caterpillar pests in North America.

• Pterostichus melanarius: A common black ground beetle, widespread in Europe and North America, often found in gardens and agricultural fields.

Cerambycidae (Long-horned Beetles)

• Anoplophora glabripennis: The Asian long-horned beetle, an invasive species notorious for damaging hardwood trees in North America and Europe.

• Cerambyx cerdo: Known as the great capricorn beetle, primarily found in old oak forests in Europe.

• Xylotrechus stebbingi: A species that typically infests dying or dead wood, found in parts of Asia.

Coccinellidae (Ladybugs or Lady Beetles)

• Coccinella septempunctata: The seven-spot ladybug, one of the most common ladybug species in Europe, used as a biological control agent.

• Harmonia axyridis: The Asian lady beetle, beneficial for controlling aphids but also a nuisance when it invades homes in large numbers.

• Adalia bipunctata: The two-spotted ladybug, widely used in both Europe and North America for controlling aphids in gardens.

Scarabaeidae (Scarabs)

• Scarabaeus sacer: Known as the sacred scarab, historically revered in ancient Egypt, found in the Mediterranean region.

• Phyllophaga spp.: Commonly referred to as May beetles or June bugs, these beetles are widespread in North America and are often pests to various crops.

• Dynastes hercules: The Hercules beetle, one of the largest flying insects in the world, found in the rainforests of Central and South America.

Curculionidae (Weevils)

• Sitophilus granarius: The grain weevil, a significant pest of stored grain worldwide.

• Otiorhynchus sulcatus: The black vine weevil, notorious for damaging a wide range of ornamental plants and fruits, particularly in Europe and North America.

• Rhynchophorus ferrugineus: The red palm weevil, a major pest of palm trees in tropical regions worldwide.

Muscidae (House Flies)

• Musca domestica: The common housefly, widespread and associated with human habitats, known for spreading diseases.

• Fannia canicularis: Known as the lesser house fly, commonly found indoors and recognized for its less direct flight patterns compared to the common housefly.

• Stomoxys calcitrans: The stable fly, similar to the house fly but bites and feeds on blood, affecting livestock and humans.

Culicidae (Mosquitoes)

• Anopheles gambiae: A primary vector for malaria in Africa.

• Aedes aegypti: Known for transmitting dengue fever, yellow fever, and Zika virus, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.

• Culex pipiens: Commonly known as the northern house mosquito, widespread and capable of transmitting West Nile virus.

Tachinidae (Tachinid Flies)

• Tachina fera: A parasitoid fly whose larvae develop inside host insects like caterpillars.

• Exorista larvarum: Known for parasitizing moth and butterfly caterpillars, used in biological control programs.

• Gonia capitata: A species whose larvae parasitize grasshoppers and beetles, contributing to natural pest control.

Syrphidae (Hoverflies)

• Syrphus ribesii: A common hoverfly species in gardens across Europe, whose larvae prey on aphids.

• Eristalis tenax: The drone fly, which resembles a honey bee and whose larvae, known as rat-tailed maggots, are found in stagnant water.

• Episyrphus balteatus: Known as the marmalade fly, common across Europe and Asia, and effective in aphid control.

Calliphoridae (Blowflies)

• Calliphora vicina: One of the bluebottle flies, important in forensic entomology for determining time of death.

• Lucilia sericata: The common green bottle fly, used in maggot therapy for cleaning necrotic wounds.

• Chrysomya megacephala: Known as the oriental latrine fly, involved in myiasis and also used in forensic investigations.

These species examples illustrate the diversity and ecological roles of these genera, from beneficial predators and pollinators to notorious pests and medically important species.