Content
- Characteristics of flying insects
- Types of flying insects
- Orthoptera flying insects (Orthoptera)
- desert locust
- Hymenoptera flying insects (Hymenoptera)
- honeybee
- oriental mango
- Diptera flying insects (Diptera)
- fruit fly
- striped horsefly
- Asian Tiger Mosquito
- Lepidoptera flying insects (Lepidoptera)
- bird-wing butterfly
- Blattodea Flying Insects (Blattodea)
- Pennsylvania Cockroach
- Coleoptera flying insects (Coleoptera)
- seven-point ladybird
- giant cerambicidae
- Odonata flying insects (Odonata)
- Blue Common Dragonfly
There are millions of insects on the planet. They constitute the largest group of living beings and have very varied characteristics, although they share some peculiarities, such as the fact that they are animals with exoskeleton.
Although not everyone does, many insects are capable of flying. Can you tell some of them? If you don't know, get to know the different types of flying insects, their names, characteristics and photos in this PeritoAnimal article. Keep reading!
Characteristics of flying insects
the insects are the only invertebrates that have wings. Their appearance occurred when the dorsal plates of the chest expanded. Originally they were only meant for soaring, but over the centuries they have evolved to allow these animals to fly. Thanks to them, insects are able to move around, find food, flee from predators and mate.
The size, shape and texture of insect wings are so different that there is no single way to classify them. However, the wings share some particularities:
- The wings are presented in even numbers;
- They are located in the mesothorax and metathorax;
- Some species lose them when they reach adulthood, or when they correspond to sterile individuals;
- They are formed by the union of an upper and a lower membrane;
- They have veins or ribs;
- The interior of the wings has nerves, tracheas and hemolymph.
In addition to being animals with exoskeleton and wings, flying insects can be very different from each other, as they are classified into different groups and each one of them has its own characteristics.
Types of flying insects
The general characteristics of flying insects that are common to all of them are those mentioned in the previous section. However, as we said, there are different types of flying insects, which allows them to be classified according to various criteria. So the winged insects are divided into several groups or orders:
- Orthoptera;
- Hymenoptera;
- Dipther;
- Lepidoptera;
- Blattodein;
- Coleoptera;
- Odanate.
Next, get to know the characteristics of each group and some of its exponents. Come on!
Orthoptera flying insects (Orthoptera)
Orthoptera appeared on earth during the Triassic. This order of insects is mainly characterized by their mouthparts, which are of the chewing type and because most of them are jumpers, such as crickets and grasshoppers. The wings are similar in texture to parchment and are straight, although not all insects belonging to this order have wings the same size. Some of them don't even have wings and are therefore not flying insects.
Like types of flying insects of the order Orthoptera, we can mention the following as the most common:
- Migratory locust (migratory locust);
- Domestic Cricket (Acheta domesticus);
- Brown grasshopper (Rhammatocerus schistocercoides);
- Desert locust (greek schistocerca).
desert locust
Among the examples mentioned, we will focus on this type of flying insect due to its peculiarities. The desert locust (greek schistocerca) is an insect considered a pest in Asia and Africa. In fact, this is the species to which the ancient biblical texts refer. During certain times of the year, they gather in swarms that are responsible for the disappearance of crops in many areas.
are able to cover up to 200 km away by flying. The groups they form can contain up to 80 million individuals.
Hymenoptera flying insects (Hymenoptera)
These insects appeared during the Jurassic. They have a segmented abdomen, a tongue that is capable of stretching, retracting, and a chewer-sucking mouthpart. Are insects that live in society and barren castes have no wings.
The Hymenoptera order is one of the largest existing as it includes more than 150,000 species. Within this large group, we also find some of the most common and well-known flying insects, as all species of wasps, bees, carpenters and ants belong to him. Thus, some examples of hymenoptera are:
- European Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa violacea);
- Bumblebee (Bombus dahlbomii);
- Alfalfa-leaf cutter bee (roundabout megachile).
In addition, the honeybee and the oriental mango, two of the most widespread insects in the world, are also examples of insects that fly and which we will talk about in more detail below.
honeybee
THE apis mellifera is the best known species of bee. It is currently distributed throughout the world and plays a crucial role in plant pollination, in addition to producing most of the honey consumed by human beings.
In a hive, worker bees can travel several kilometers in search of pollen. Meanwhile, the queen only takes the nuptial flight before mating, a once-in-a-lifetime event.
oriental mango
THE wasp orientalis or Mangava-Oriental is a species of flying insect that is distributed in Asia, Africa and part of Europe. Like bees, wasps are Eurosocial, that is, they form groups led by a queen and hundreds of workers.
This insect feeds on nectar, other insects and some small animals because it requires protein for the development of their offspring. Its bite can be dangerous for allergic people.
Diptera flying insects (Diptera)
Diptera appeared during the Jurassic. Most of these insects have short antennae, but males of some species have feathery antennae, that is, covered with villi. Your mouthpart is a sucker-picker.
One of the curiosities of this group of flying insects is that they don't have four wings, like most. Due to evolution, Diptera have just two wings. Within this order, we find all species of flies, mosquitoes, horseflies and capes. Some examples of Diptera are:
- Stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans);
- Drone fly (Bombylius Major).
In addition, we highlight the fruit fly, the striped horsefly and the Asian tiger mosquito for their popularity and let's talk about some of their main characteristics.
fruit fly
The fruit fly (Keratitis capitata) is native to Africa, although it is currently found in tropical areas around the world. It is a flying insect that feeds on the sugary substances of fruit, a behavior that gives it its name.
This and all species of flies fly for short periods of time, then land to rest and feed. The fruit fly is considered a pest in many countries as it causes great damage to crops. If this species is present in your home and you want to know how to scare it away without damaging it.
striped horsefly
Another species on this list of flying insects is the striped horsefly (Tabanus subsimilis). This dipterous insect inhabits the United States and Mexico, where it can be found in natural and urban environments.
The striped horsefly measures about 2 centimeters and has a brown body with stripes on the abdomen. Like other species of horsefly, your wings are gray and big, grooved by some ribs.
Asian Tiger Mosquito
The Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is distributed over several areas in Africa, Asia and America. It is an insect capable of transmitting diseases to humans, such as dengue and yellow fever.
Contrary to popular belief, only females feed on blood. Meanwhile, the males ingest the nectar from the flowers. The species is considered invasive and triggers health emergencies in tropical countries or during the rainy season.
Lepidoptera flying insects (Lepidoptera)
They appeared on the planet during the Tertiary. Lepidoptera have a sucking mouthpiece, similar to a tube. The wings are membranous and have imbricate, unicellular or flattened scales. This order includes the moths and butterflies.
Some examples of Lepidoptera are as follows:
- Blue-morph moth (morpho menelaus);
- Peacock (saturnia pavonia);
- Swallowtail butterfly (papilio machaon).
One of the most curious and cute flying insects is the bird-wing butterfly, so we'll talk a little more about it below.
bird-wing butterfly
THE Ornithoptera alexandrae é endemic to Papua New Guinea. It is considered the largest butterfly in the world, as it reaches a wingspan of 31 centimeters. The female's wings are brown with some white spots, while the smaller males are green and blue.
This species lives at 850 meters high in tropical forests. It feeds on pollen from different ornamental flowers and reaches adulthood at 131 days of life. Currently, is in danger of extinction due to the destruction of their habitat.
If you like butterflies and want to learn more about them, check out this other article on butterfly breeding.
Blattodea Flying Insects (Blattodea)
Under this group of flying insects are classified The cockroaches, flat insects that are distributed throughout much of the world. Cockroaches can also fly although it is true that not all of them have wings. They appeared during the Carboniferous and the group includes flying species such as:
- Northern Australia Giant Termite (Darwiniensis mastotermes);
- Germanic cockroach (Blattella germanica);
- American cockroach (american periplanet);
- Australian cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae).
As an example of a flying cockroach, we highlight the Pennsylvania cockroach and then see why.
Pennsylvania Cockroach
THE parcoblatta pensylvanica is a species of cockroach found in North America. It is characterized by a dark body with lighter stripes on the back. It inhabits forests and areas with a lot of vegetation, as well as urban areas.
Most cockroaches fly at low altitude and are able to use their wings to glide from high places to other surfaces. In all species, including Pennsylvania, only males have wings.
Coleoptera flying insects (Coleoptera)
Coleoptera are flying insects that, instead of conventional wings, have two hard eliters that serve as protection when the animal is at rest. They have a chewer-sucking mouthpart and elongated legs. Fossils record that they existed as far back as the Permian.
In the order of Coleoptera we find beetles, ladybugs and fireflies, among others. Therefore, some of the names of coleopteran flying insects most representative are:
- Death clock beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum);
- Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata);
- Elm beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola);
- Pink ladybug (Coleomegilla maculata);
- Colon ladybird (Adalia bipunctate).
seven-point ladybird
Among the flying insects that are part of this list with names, characteristics and photos, it is also possible to mention the seven-spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata). This is the species that inspires most cartoons, as it features the typical bright red wings with black dots.
This ladybug is distributed throughout Europe, and migrates to hibernate. It feeds on aphids and other insects, being introduced into crops to control pests.
giant cerambicidae
The giant cerambicidae (titanus giganteus) is an animal that inhabits the Amazon forest. It has a reddish brown body, tweezers and antennae, but the most interesting thing about this beetle is its size, as it measures 17 centimeters.
The species lives in trees, from where it is able to fly to the ground. Males also make sounds to intimidate their predators.
Check out this article and find out more about the types of beetles.
Odonata flying insects (Odonata)
These insects appeared during the Permian. They have very large eyes and elongated cylindrical bodies. Your wings are membranous, thin and transparent. The order of odonatos is made up of more than 6,000 species, among which we find dragonflies or damsels. Thus, some of the examples of odonate insects are:
- Dragonfly-Emperor (Anax imperator)
- Green Dragonfly (Anax Junius)
- Blue Piper (Calopteryx virgo)
Blue Common Dragonfly
The last example of flying insects is the Enallagma cyathigerum or common blue dragonfly. It is a species that lives in a large part of Europe and in some areas of Asia, where it is distributed in areas close to fresh water with a high level of acidity, because fish, its main predators, do not survive under these conditions.
This dragonfly is distinguished by the bright blue color of its body, accompanied by some black stripes. In addition, it has elongated wings that you can fold when you want to rest.
If you want to read more articles similar to Flying insects: names, characteristics and photos, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.