Question

general entomology

S. For each of the following insect orders or suborders, describe a unique (i.c. not found amongst other Holometabola) feature of their wings (5 pts): i, Lepidoptera ii. Coleoptera ini. Diptera iv. Trichoptera v. Strepsiptera 6. The basal segment of the antenna of a Mesoten is named (2 pts). In which lolametabola order are you likely to find an insect showing convergent evolution with Mantodea (2 pts)?

Answer 1

ANSWERS

5. a) l​​​​​​​​​​​​epidoptera( includes butterflies and moths)

• They have large and broad wings.
• Forewings are large and it is in different shade compared to the hindwings.
• Both has tiny scales on the wings which can only be seen through a microscope.
• Forewings of butterflies overlaps the hind wings but they are not connected.
• In moths forewings and hindwings are linked together by a small spine called frenulum.

b). Coleoptera ( includes beetles and weevils)

• They have 2 pairs of wings , Forewings are hardened and hindwings membranous.
• In beetles forewings are heavily sclerotised and form a protective cover for hindwings
• Coleoptera means 'sheath wings' i.e. the hard sheath-like elytra over the soft hind wings.
• The forewings are not used in flight.
• The hind wings are membranous and are used for flight. At rest they are folded protectively under the forewings.
• Somespecies do not have hind wings and their elytra are generally fused together.

c). Diptera ( includes flies and mosquitoes )

• They have one pair of membraneous wings.
• Hindwings are reduced to small club like structure called halteres.
• The halteres are used as stabilisers during flying.
• Halteres is situated behind the forewings.
• Halteres helps flies and mosquitoes to fly speedy.

d). Trichopetra ( caddisflies)

• It has two pairs of membranous wings.
• Wings are of different size
• The wings has fine hairs on them
• Wings form a protective cover over the abdomen when at rest.

e). Strepsipetra

• It has twisted winged parasites.
• Hindwings are membranous and without ventilation.
• The forewings has like structure.
• Female strepsipetra doesn't have any legs, wings, antannae and often eyes.
• They have reduced forewings and fan like hindwings

6). Mecopetra

• Mecopetra means lengthy wings
• The antennae are long and threadlike, usually about half the body length, with about 16 to 60 segments.