A List of Different Types of Flying Insects With Pictures

Ancient Fliers

According to entomologists, flying insects or winged insects could have made their appearance more than 300,000,000 years ago (early Carboniferous age). Flying insects belong to the sub-class Pterygota, and are a major and diverse group of arthropods. Insects are invertebrates and the only species among this class to have developed wings for flight.

It is estimated that this group comprises over a million identified and almost 30 million unidentified species, adding up to over 90% of the different life forms present on our planet. Insects with the most number of species are beetles, butterflies and moths, ants, bees and wasps, and true flies. The study of insects is known as "Entomology", which is a Greek word meaning "cut into pieces".

Flying insects may be small creatures, but are a good example of a successful adaptation theory, having survived all conditions on earth. Some modern flying insects belonging to the group Neoptera have foldable wings that they can beat faster compared to the primitive insect groups. Other studies on insect flight have revealed an interesting fact, high atmospheric oxygen is conducive to the appearance of gigantic insects.

Insects, The General Anatomy

Insects belong to the phylum Arthropoda and class Insecta or Hexapoda. Like other arthropods, they have a hard exoskeleton (no endoskeleton), a segmented body (head, thorax, and abdomen) and jointed appendages. Their characteristic features are compound eyes, two antennae, presence of one or two pairs of wings (except for some species), and breathing through spiracles. The wings (if present) and legs are attached to the thoracic region.

The males and females of many species of flying insects differ from each other in body structure. Insects also have circulatory and nervous systems. An insect's body can be separated into three sections:

• The head, with the mouthparts, compound and simple eyes (or ocelli), and two sensory antennae.
• A three-segmented thorax, usually with three pairs of jointed legs and two or four wings.
• A segmented abdomen, having the digestive, excretory, and reproductive organs. All three abdominal units are distinct, but interconnected.

Normally, flying insects have one to three simple ocelli or eyes in the head, apart from a pair of evolved compound eyes. However, these "eyelike markings" can also be found on the wings of some insects like the butterflies. There is usually a spot of color within a colored ring.

The Exoskeleton & Molting

Insects possess segmented but interconnected bodies. Their body is supported by a hard outer covering. Flying insects have an outer skeleton or cuticle which is made of two layers: the epicuticle (a waxy, water-resistant layer), and the thicker procuticle, which is further made up of an outer layer called the exocuticle, and an inner layer called the endocuticle.

The endocuticle is thick and is constructed of crisscross layers of fibrous chitin (a tough, semi-transparent substance which acts as a protective shell) and proteins. The exocuticle is rigid and sclerotized, sclerotin is an insoluble protein that spreads in the chitin of the cuticle of arthropods, hardening and darkening by a natural tanning process.

The outer layer of the procuticle is reduced to a large extent among soft-bodied insects, especially in the larval or caterpillar stage. Insects molt many times as larvae. Molting is a process by which the insects discard their exoskeleton. Insects molt to increase in size with a larger outer covering, in order to establish their adult size.

The Features of Flying Insects

The evolution of winged insects is a controversial topic. While some researchers claim that their wings evolved from gills, many are of the opinion that they are paranotal in origin. Though the majority of insects possess wings (e.g., butterfly), some primitive species are wingless (e.g., silverfish). Based on the presence or absence of wings, the class Insecta is further classified into two subclasses: Apterygota (wingless insects) and Pterygota (winged insects).

In addition to wings, another distinguishing feature between Apterygota and Pterygota is that insects belonging to the former subclass do not undergo metamorphosis, whereas insects of the latter group go through simple (without pupal stage) or complete metamorphosis. In total, there are 25 orders of the subclass Pterygota, or winged insects.

Metamorphosis is crucial in an insect's life and refers to a change in its structure or form during its developmental stage. There are two types of metamorphoses: incomplete metamorphosis and complete metamorphosis. Some flying insects do not develop wings until the adult stage, in what is called an incomplete metamorphosis. The young ones of these insects are called "nymphs".

Complete metamorphosis is a term associated with the thriving insect groups, in which the hatched egg produces a worm-like form like any of the following:

• Eruciform (caterpillar-like)
• Scarabaeiform (grub-like)
• Campodeiform (elongated, flattened, and active)
• Elateriform (wireworm-like)
• Vermiform (maggot-like)

The Different Types of Flying Insects

Entomologists have classified flying insects into 25 groups. The sections below walk through the main orders one at a time, from the ancient, can't-fold-their-wings dragonflies to the mighty beetles, with photos and key facts for each group. (You can also read more about how to identify flying insects by body shape and behavior.)

Order Odonata, Dragonflies & Damselflies

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to Order Odonata, which are characterized by the presence of toothed jaws and very large eyes. They are commonly found in tropical climates, particularly near freshwater. Since the wings of these insects cannot be folded, they are referred to as "primitive winged" insects. About 5,000 insect species are identified under this order. Dragonflies have been found on earth for as long as 300 million years, and they feed on other insect types like mosquitoes, termites, ants, and midges.

Order Orthoptera, Grasshoppers, Locusts & Crickets

Most herbivorous insects belong to Order Orthoptera. Familiar examples include grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets. They undergo complete metamorphosis and are well-known for their propelling ability, they can jump more than 20 times their body length in one go. They are found in terrestrial habitats. More than 20,000 insect species are identified under this order.

Order Dictyoptera, Cockroaches & Praying Mantises

Order Dictyoptera includes insects that have leathery wings and chewing mouthparts, like the cockroach and praying mantis. The term means "network wings" and you can identify insects of this order from the characteristic veins in the wings. Dictyoptera insects are found universally and some species are strictly terrestrial. About 6,000 species are identified under this order.

Order Phasmida, Stick Insects

Members of Order Phasmida undergo incomplete metamorphosis and are easily identified by their remarkable camouflage. They can measure from 1 inch in length to as long as a foot. The stick insects, named for their resemblance to sticks, are the longest insects in the world. About 3,000 insects are identified under this order.

Order Hemiptera, True Bugs (Hoppers, Aphids, Water Bugs)

Insects in Order Hemiptera are characterized by piercing and sucking mouthparts, and half-membranous forewings (thick at the base and membranous at the tips). Examples include hoppers, aphids, and water bugs. This is a highly diverse order: some species are aquatic, others terrestrial. In total, about 70,000 species are identified under this order.

Order Lepidoptera, Butterflies & Moths

Order Lepidoptera is the second largest insect order, including more than 100,000 species. Moths and butterflies belong to this group. They are characterized by large eyes and wings covered in tiny overlapping scales. Another feature of these insects is the presence of a simple eye, known as an ocellus, on the top of each compound eye. They can also be identified by their vibrantly colored wings.

Order Coleoptera, Beetles (the Largest Order)

Order Coleoptera is the largest insect group, comprising more than 350,000 species. Beetles, glowworms, and fireflies are all grouped here. These insects are characterized by their hardened forewings (elytra), which cover the delicate hind wings and the entire body. They may be aquatic or terrestrial; as for feeding, they munch plants and/or other insects. Beetles can be found in a variety of climates, including the polar regions.

Order Diptera, True Flies (Mosquitoes, Gnats, Midges)

Order Diptera, also known as the true flies, includes mosquitoes, gnats, flesh flies, and midges. Their key feature is two pairs of wings, of which only the forewings are functional, the hind wings are replaced by modified stabilizing organs called halteres. The flies' wings sit on the mesothorax, the middle part of the chest, and having only one working pair sets them apart from other insects. Other identifying traits are extra-large compound eyes and sponging or biting mouthparts. Mosquitoes belong to the Culicidae family. More than 100,000 species are identified under this order.

Order Hymenoptera, Ants, Bees & Wasps

Hymenoptera (meaning "membrane wings") is the third largest insect order in class Hexapoda, comprising about 100,000 species. It includes ants, horntails, bees, and wasps. The two pairs of wings (forewings and hind wings) are joined via tiny hooks called hamuli, so both wings work together during flight. Learn more about bumblebee facts and what makes these pollinators so essential.

Order Isoptera, Termites

The most common species in Order Isoptera is the termite. They have a pair of antennae, chewing mouthparts, a tapering body, and two pairs of membranous wings. They play a major role in decomposing material in forest ecosystems by feeding on dead and decayed plant parts. Some species are identified as pests because they feed on wood furniture. There are over 3,000 insect species in this order.

Orders with Aquatic Larvae

Several flying-insect orders share an important life-history pattern: their larvae develop underwater, while the winged adults live on land. Three important examples are shown below.

Flying Insects Quiz

8 quick questions about insect orders, anatomy, bodies and amazing abilities.

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A Closer Look: Species & Families

Each big order is really a family tree with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of branches. Below is a closer look at some of the best-known groups, along with the species and families that belong to them. These name lists come straight from the field guide, so you can see just how much variety hides inside a single order.

Moths & Butterflies

Moths and butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera, which accounts for more than 100,000 species. They include the following.

🦋 Moths & Butterflies Lepidoptera

• Silkworms
• Butterflies
• Caterpillars
• Flying insects
• Skippers (Hesperiidae)
• Metalmarks (Riodinidae)
• Swallowtails (Papilionidae)
• Gossamer-wings (Lycaenidae)
• Whites and sulphurs (Pieridae)
• Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Locusts, Grasshoppers & Crickets

Locusts and grasshoppers belong to the order Orthoptera and together account for 20,000 insect species. Let us have a look at the different types of grasshoppers and locusts.

🫲 Grasshoppers, Locusts & Crickets Orthoptera

• Crickets
• Brown-spotted Grasshopper
• Green-striped Grasshopper
• Clear-winged Grasshopper
• Four-spotted Grasshopper
• Big-headed Grasshopper
• Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera)
• American desert locust (Schistocerca americana)
• Brown locust (Locustana pardalina)
• Bombay locust (Nomadacris succincta)
• Italian locust (Calliptamus italicus)
• Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria)
• Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus)
• Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria)
• Rocky Mountain locust (Melanoplus spretus)
• Red locust (Nomadacris septemfasciata)
• Spur-throated locust (Australis procera)

Dragonflies & Damselflies

Dragonflies have been found on earth for as long as 300 million years. These insects are mainly found near waterbodies. They feed on other insect types like mosquitoes, termites, ants, midges, and more.

Mantids & Roaches

Mantids are insects that have front legs with enlarged femurs (the upper leg). These femurs have a grooved line along them. Mantids belong to the order Mantodea. Roaches are found in many different varieties and mainly belong to the order Blattaria. The total number of cockroach species is 4500.

Beetles & Lightning Bugs

Beetles are known to have more species than any other insect. The total number of beetle species is 400,000. These insects belong to the order Coleoptera. They can be found in a variety of climates, including the polar regions.

🐛 Beetles & Lightning Bugs Coleoptera

• Ladybug beetle
• Lightning bugs

Flies & Mosquitoes

Flies belong to the order Diptera and have wings on the mesothorax (the middle part of the chest). The feature that sets flies apart from other insects is having only one pair of wings. Mosquitoes belong to the Culicidae family and look like crane flies. Mosquitoes are known for having mouthparts that let them pierce the skin.

Honeybees

The main types of stinging insects include ants and honeybees. Honeybees are among the important types of stinging bees. They are known to sting just once. However, after stinging, a barbed stinger and venom sac is left behind. Important species of honeybees are listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many orders of winged insects are there?

There are 25 orders in the subclass Pterygota, the winged insects. They range from primitive dragonflies (Odonata) to the enormous beetle order (Coleoptera), which alone has more than 350,000 species.

Which order of flying insects has the most species?

Beetles. The order Coleoptera is the largest insect group, with more than 350,000 species, about a quarter of all known animal species.

When did flying insects first appear on Earth?

Entomologists believe flying insects appeared more than 300,000,000 years ago, in the early Carboniferous age, long before the first birds, bats or dinosaurs.

What are the three body parts of a flying insect?

Every insect's body is divided into three sections: the head (with mouthparts, eyes and antennae), the thorax (which carries the legs and wings), and the abdomen (which holds the digestive and reproductive organs).

🐝 Honeybees Genus Apis

• Killer Bees
• Black bees
• Bees
• Red dwarf honey bee (Apis florea)
• Black dwarf honey bee (Apis andreniformis)
• Eastern honey bee (Apis cerana)
• Giant honey bee (Apis dorsata)
• Western honey bee (Apis mellifera)
• Koschevnikov's Bee (Apis koschevnikovi)

Ants

Harvester and fire ants are commonly seen in our surroundings. Sub-types of fire ants include red and black ants. Unlike honeybees, which sting only once, ants are insects that bite and deliver multiple stings; the marks of these stings can be seen as clusters of circular or semicircular shapes. The family to which ants belong is Formicidae. Read more fascinating facts about ants and the way they build their colonies.

🐜 Ants Formicidae

• Types of ants
• All about ants
• Carpenter ants
• Ants with wings

Wasps

This insect belongs to the order Hymenoptera. The body of a wasp looks like a mix between an ant and a bee. They are parasitic in nature. Agricultural pest control is one field where wasps are put to use.

🐞 Wasps Hymenoptera

• Killer hornets
• Types of wasps
• Tarantula hawk wasp

True Bugs

Different bug types are included in the order Hemiptera. Although "bug" is a word people use for insects in general, the insects that belong to the order Hemiptera are bugs in the true sense. Hemiptera includes many different varieties of insects found in homes. Some of these are called biting bugs, and they can bite using a sharp mouthpart called a proboscis.

🪯 True Bugs Hemiptera

• Cicada
• Bed bugs
• Stink bugs
• Potato bugs
• Leafhoppers
• Milkweed bug
• Ambush bugs
• Assassin bugs
• Box elder bugs
• Houseplant bugs
• Leaf footed bugs
• Water scorpions
• Scarlet Plant Bug
• Bordered Plant bugs
• Types of water bugs
• Common household bugs

A Few More Insects

Here are some more types of insects, classified randomly. Owing to the great variety of insects and the sheer, impossible number of different species, only a few are listed here.

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🪺 A Few More Insects Mixed group

• Lice
• Fleas
• Earwig
• Termites
• Silverfish

Helpful or Harmful? Pests & Pollinators

Flying insects are found indoors as well as outdoors. A familiar (and not-too-incorrect) term "pests" refers to flying insects found in homes. There are bloodsucking flying insects like mosquitoes and bed bugs. Some pests like mosquitoes, roaches (cockroach), and flies are disease carriers. Others like termites destroy your furniture, moths damage your clothes, and beetles destroy your leather goods or woolen carpets. Flying insects or pests, like the locusts found outdoors, destroy crops.

Not all flying insects are destructive. Some are active pollinators, like the butterflies, while others, like the industrious bees, produce honey, wax, lacquer, or the caterpillars produce silk. Insects like the wasps are natural scavengers of flies among other insects. Scavenging beetles that contribute towards producing topsoil play an important role in preserving the ecological balance. On the lighter side, flying insects like the grasshopper and cockroaches are considered a culinary delicacy and nutritive (for proteins) diet in some countries. And of course, some winged insects like the butterflies are synonymous with beauty.

How Flying Insects Live Together

Each insect species follows unique behavior patterns. For example, swarming is common among social insects like bees and wasps. They live as gigantic families, with all individual bees being the offspring of a single queen bee. A chemical messenger called pheromone, which is passed throughout the colony by food sharing, helps them achieve their social behavior.

Other social flying insects are ants, termites, and some species of bees and wasps. However, not all insects exhibit such social behavior, there are many other species that show a lesser degree of interaction. Flying Ant Day or Flant Day is a term used for the day the queen ants leave their nests and fly out a few meters accompanied by the smaller male ants in order to mate. Eventually, the queen ants drop to the ground, lose their wings, and try to start a colony.

Why Flying Insects Matter

These are some of the flying insects we come across in our surroundings. Some insects cause destruction to crops and are identified as pests. Many are referred to as "farmer's friend" as they feed on other destructive pests, indirectly increasing the crop yield. In a nutshell, both winged and wingless insects play a major role in the food chain and the overall functioning of an ecosystem.