Types of Flying Insects

Insects are easily among the most abundant organisms on the planet, vastly outnumbering human beings in all corners of the globe. Their abundance, however, is nearly matched by their variety, coming in all shapes and sizes. Some dig, some swim, others fly. Flight is one of the most useful skills of any animal's arsenal, and the number of insects able to achieve this feat is staggering.

  1. Basics

    • Insects are unique within the animal kingdom in that of all the invertebrates in the world, they are the only ones to have developed flight. Their methods vary depending on the type, and their abilities are far superior to anything modern technology has allowed human beings to replicate in terms of flight mechanics. In fact, even with our vast knowledge of their anatomy and physiology, human understanding of insect flight is still vastly imperfect. There are many types of flying insects, most of them with their own unique methods anatomies.

    Dragonflies

    • Belonging to the order Odonata, dragonflies, which share similarities with damselflies, are known for their large eyes, distinctively long, stick-like bodies, and two pairs of large, translucent wings. Usually found near water sources like lakes, ponds and swamps, dragonflies are voracious predators known to eat pest insects like mosquitoes. Their offspring, known as nymphs, are aquatic, hence why dragonflies are so common near aquatic habitats. Though adults are not usually considered dangerous, nymphs can deliver a powerful and extremely painful bite that should be cleaned immediately to avoid infection.

    Grasshoppers and Locusts

    • Grasshoppers and locusts are very common, herbivorous insects whose 20,000 or so species are identified under the order Orthoptera. Locusts are actually short-horned grasshoppers than have swarmed in mass. These enormous swarms are infamous in folklore and film for their destructive behavior; they can often contain billions of locusts and have been known to completely strip fields of crops.

    Mantids and Roaches

    • This order of insects, Dictyoptera, which makes up about 6,000 species, is characterized by three distinctive physical features. Firstly, they have short ovipositors, which are special organs used for depositing eggs. Second, they have leathery wings that essentially blend with their body. Third, they have chewing mouth parts. Many of these species, though capable of flight, typically remain terrestrial, and encompass roaches, mantids and termites. They are found worldwide and are among the most common insects capable of flight.

    Moths and Butterflies

    • Moths and butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera, and with over 100,000 species, they are the second largest order of insects. They are coveted for the vibrant and varied colors of their wings, which are composed of several overlapping scales. They are known for having an organ known as an ocellus, or a simple eye. These unique organs can be found atop the compound eyes and are composed of a single lens, allowing for very accurate image reproduction in the brain.

    Beetles and Fireflies

    • The largest order of flying insects, Coleoptera, includes beetles and fireflies. They are distinguished by their hardened forewings, which are not only thicker than the more typical membranous wings but also take up most of the body. These insects are extremely varied in their preferred environments, with some being terrestrial, some being arboreal and others even being aquatic. Because of their extremely varied habitats, insects of this order are usually omnivorous, feeding on both other insects, plants, or various dead or decomposing animals.