Myriapods are terrestrial arthropods with elongated, segmented bodies bearing numerous legs. This group includes centipedes and millipedes, which are commonly found in soil, leaf litter, and under stones or logs. Most myriapods play an important role in ecosystems as predators or decomposers. Classes of Myriapods Myriapods are divided into four main classes: Class Diplopoda — … Continue reading "Subphylum Myriapoda — Centipedes & Millipedes"
Read MoreCategory: Phylum Arthropoda
Superclass Multicrustacea — Typical Crustaceans
Multicrustacea is a major group of crustaceans that includes many of the most familiar forms such as crabs, lobsters, shrimp, woodlice, barnacles, and copepods. Members of this group occupy a wide range of habitats, from oceans and freshwater to land. It is divided into two main classes: Malacostraca, which contains the larger and more recognisable … Continue reading "Superclass Multicrustacea — Typical Crustaceans"
Read MoreSubphylum Chelicerata — Spiders & Relatives
Chelicerates are a major group of arthropods that includes spiders, scorpions, mites, ticks, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Unlike many other arthropods they lack antennae and possess specialised mouthparts called chelicerae, which are often adapted as fangs or pincers used for feeding. Most chelicerates are terrestrial predators, although some groups remain marine. Chelicerates occur in both marine and … Continue reading "Subphylum Chelicerata — Spiders & Relatives"
Read MoreOrder Hymenoptera
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Arthropoda > Class: Insecta > Order: Hymenoptera Ants, Bees, Wasps, Sawflies & Horntails This is a large order of insects that have existed since the Triassic period. the name derives from the ancient Greek word hymen, meaning membrane, and pteron, wing. They are often thought of as the stinging insects and … Continue reading "Order Hymenoptera"
Read MoreOrder Hemiptera
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Arthropoda > Class: Insecta > Order: Hemiptera True bugs, hoppers, aphids & allies This is a large group of insects with more than 75,000 species, nearly 2,000 of which can be found in the UK. They include shieldbugs, plant bugs, bed bugs, pondskaters, cicadas, water bugs, aphids, and scale insects. They … Continue reading "Order Hemiptera"
Read MoreOrder Coleoptera
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Arthropoda > Class: Insecta > Order: Coleoptera Beetles are a group of insects that form the order Coleoptera. They are the largest group of insects with over 300,000 species, a quarter of all known living species. They live in most climates and can survive extreme dry or wet. They can vary … Continue reading "Order Coleoptera"
Read MoreSuborder Anisoptera (dragonflies)
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Arthropoda > Class: Insecta > Order: Odonata > Suborder Anisoptera These are the dragonflies and Anisoptera means unequal-winged from the fact that the hind wings are usually shorter and wider than the forewings. The eyes are large and usually touch at the top of the head. In the UK there are … Continue reading "Suborder Anisoptera (dragonflies)"
Read MoreSuborder Zygoptera (damselflies)
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Arthropoda > Class: Insecta > Order: Odonata > Suborder Zygoptera The damselflies are usually slender with forewings and hind wings of equal length. The head is also wider than the thorax and the eyes are usually on the opposite sides of the head. Most also fold their wings along their body … Continue reading "Suborder Zygoptera (damselflies)"
Read MoreSuperfamily Other moths
Superfamily Adeloidea Family Adelidae Adela reaumurella, green longhorn Nemophora degeerella, longhorn moth Superfamily Cossoidea Family Cossidae (leopard moths) Morpheis pyracmon (Trinidad) Superfamily Lasiocampoidea Family Lasiocampidae Euthrix potatoria, drinker(UK) Lasiocampa quercus, oak eggar (uk) Macrothylacia rubi, fox moth (UK) Superfamily Pterophoroidea Family Pterophoridae (plume moths) Emmelina monodactyla, morning-glory plume moth(UK)
Read MoreSuperfamily Geometroidea
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Arthropoda > Class: Insecta > Order: Lepidoptera > Superfamily: Geometroidea These are the geometrid and swallowtail moths. The name Geometroidae comes from the type genus Geometra which is Greek meaning “to measure the earth,” referring to the larva, or inchworm, as they move in a looping fashion. Some species are difficult … Continue reading "Superfamily Geometroidea"
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