Winged insects: description, features, species and classification

Class insects, a group of orthopterans number almost 25 thousand species, 651 of them belong to fossil species. They belong to the new wing group and have incomplete transformation. This means that larvae after appearance have an external resemblance to adult insects, that is, they can have complex eyes, a similar structure of mouth organs and the beginnings of future wings. The scientific name of such larvae is a nymph. Let's take a look at which of the orthopteran insects we meet most often, and what we know about them.

Features of the structure

A group of orthopterans in Latin is called Orthoptera. Sometimes they are called jumping orthoptera. The detachment is divided into two isolated suborder: long-billed and short-haired.

Most often, orthopteran insects have a similar body structure. It is elongated, with a fairly large head and developed eyes. Gnawing oral organs are most often directed downward, but in some species (crickets) - forward. On the front of the head there are antennae of different shapes.

The chest and back are divided into three segments. The pronotum has developed lateral lobes that do not cover the head. The middle and back sections of the back are combined and delimited by sharp seams. The same goes for the middle and back of the chest.

Spiny winged insects have a characteristic form of hind legs. They are lengthened compared to the forelegs and have a thickening in the hips, which provides the ability to jump. However, there are species that have lost the ability to jump. There are a large number of spines on the hind legs, and a few spurs at the end. The front and middle legs are designed for running, digging or grasping movements.

The insect of the order Orthoptera has dense elytra of a leathery structure with many veins. On them are the main parts of the sound apparatus. The wings of this insect are fan-shaped. The back of the abdomen ends in the anal plate, on the last abrasion of which the males have genitalia and the females have the ovipositor.

Classification

Scientists subdivide the following orders of insects: cockroaches, orthopterans, earwigs and so on. All of them are insects with incomplete transformation. Apparently, scientists had enough of this similarity to unite them into one detachment. For some time, entomologists believed that the orthopteran insects are part of the forearm of the right-winged species and include locusts, grasshoppers, filly, bear, earwig, cockroaches and praying mantises. This statement was considered true until the end of the last century. But today, after a lot of observations and comparisons, the right-winged species include orthopterans, that is, grasshoppers, crickets, bears, locusts and a separate detachment - earwigs.

An old friend - a grasshopper

Can you imagine that the grasshopper familiar to everyone since childhood has been referred to one of the oldest detachments of insects on Earth? The simple "trills" of a small musician are heard so long ago that it is hard to imagine. The grasshoppers do not know how to fly, but thanks to their strong jumping hind legs, they are carried very far, helping themselves with thin wide wings. With some stretch of jumping these insects can still be equated to flight. An interesting feature of a grasshopper - he makes sounds and hears them with his feet!

It is difficult to imagine, but the grasshopper's ear is located on the front legs and it is arranged in much the same way as the human. The thin membrane vibrates under the influence of sound, these oscillations catch sensitive nervous tissues, process them and direct them to the brain. Publishes specific trills of a grasshopper with legs and elytra. The males have a "mirror" and "bow", located on the right and left elytra. Crossing legs and vibrating wings, the grasshopper produces a chirp that defines the boundaries of its territory and attracts females.

Cricket

Cricket and the bear are omnivorous insects. However, they give preference to plant foods.

Crickets are known for their evening "hymns". Often these insects settle in houses, finding themselves a dark secluded place. And in nature they dig themselves small holes for wintering. Cricket can produce a variety of sound signals, some designed for perception by females, while others scare off competitors.

Medvedko

Medvedka also digs underground passages. She generally leads an underground life, finding here not only food, but also a refuge. The hind legs of these insects are not as developed as in grasshoppers and crickets, but the front ones have enough strength to dig complex underground passages.

At night, the bear can come to the surface. These insects can fly, but not good enough. The wings of the bear fold in such a way that it does not interfere with it to move under the ground back and forth.

Usually, the bear select rivers for the life of rivers, but they are increasingly found in orchards and gardens. For the summer residents invasion of the bear can be a real calamity.

Earwigs

As already noted, earwigs are a separate detachment in an intestine of orthoptera. These are small insects with short wings and a long trunk. Different types of earwigs have different abilities for flying. Someone does not fly at all, someone flies, but it's bad.

Earwigs are omnivorous, leather-winged insects. Favorite places of settlement for them - the area bordering on human habitation. Insects harm garden crops, but at the same time protect them from aphids and spider mite.

Earwigs are very fond of garden flowers. They destroy roses, peonies, phloxes, asters, but they will gladly bite vegetables and root vegetables, will not give up young seedlings and decorative plantings.

Scientists have described more than 1,300 species of these insects, about twenty of them are found in our latitudes. In addition to representatives who live the entire horticultural season, there are also earwig wigs, whose entire life flies in 24 hours.

Draw conclusions

Detachments of insects - cockroaches, orthopterans, earwigs, and footwalks - are very interesting for study. Each of them has its own characteristics. Someone sings songs in the evenings for females, someone is able to completely destroy agricultural crops. Exploring their habits, you can understand the degree of danger for your house or garden. This will help to take measures in the fight against pests of the garden and garden plot.