Identifying insect remains
From the following scene.
The scattered remains of an unknown insect
Identification - Using either our textbook, our file on course CD, or the same document online, Key to the Classes of Arthropods and Insect Orders, examine characters that are used for Order determination. As you work through these characters, note the choices while you answer these questions:
    Are wings present?
    Does the abdomen have cerci?
    Are there 1 or 2 pair of wings?
    Are all wings, if present, transparent?
    Are mouthparts in the shape of an elongate beak?(view closeup)
    If mouthparts are in the form of a beak, does it arise from the front of the head or below and between front pair of legs?

Order: Here are the answers to the questions thus far.

    Wings are present
    The abdomen does not have cerci
    There are 2 pair of wings
    Only one pair of wings is transparent
    Mouthparts are in the shape of an elongate beak
    Mouthparts are in the form of a beak, which arises from the front of the head
Results: based on the answers to our questions, the Order is-

    Hemiptera (Heteroptera)


Having arrived at a determination for Order, our next challenge will be to see if we have enough material to determine:
  • Family
  • Subfamily, Genus, and species
This will involve using a diagnostic key to the families of Hemiptera (Heteroptera). Once we have arrived at a family determination, the process will become more challenging!
Introduction |  Processing | Identification | ID Beyond the Order