Basic Insect Identification from Insect Survey

Yay! I'm finally blogging. I realised i haven't been blogging for more than half a year. I was busy + lazy. Haha.

We went to Semakau to a land survey on insects and spiders some time ago last month. So after we caught those little creatures from the forest, Tammy and Ms Wang taught us how to ID the insects! (i was too lazy to take pictures so no pictures ): shall put in the pictures slowly when i take pictures of them next time :D)

And so, we started from the Orders that are commonly seen.

Order Orthoptera
- Have enlarged hind legs (those that can hop!)
- E.g. Grasshopper, cricket, katydid

Order Hemiptera 
- Front part of forewings hardened, back of forewings is membranous (Have a big 'X' on its back)
- Long, sucking mouth parts
- E.g. True bugs including hoppers

Order Coleoptera
- Entire forewing is hardened, folded over hindwing
- Hindwing hidden
- E.g. Lady bug

Order Blattaria
- Head is hidden under the pronotum
- E.g. Cockroach!

Order Lepidoptera
- Wings covered with scales
- E.g. Butterflies (club-shaped antenna) and Moths (Hairy/furry antenna)

Order Diptera
- 1 pair of wings
- Reduced hind wings for balancing called halteres
- E.g. Houseflies, Mosquitoes

Order Hymenoptera
- Membranous wings
- Narrow waist
- E.g. Bees, Wasps, Ants

Order Odonata
- Both pairs of wings are not coupled
- E.g. Dragonfly, Damselfly

Order Phasmida
- Resemble plant parts
- E.g. Stick insect, Leaf insect

Order Neuroptera
- Wings are net-like or nerve-like
- E.g. Lacewings

Hopefully i can remember them soooooooooooooooooon. Hehehehe.