The insects class, orthoptera squadron have almost 25 thousand species, 651 of them belong to fossil species. They belong to the new-wing squad and have an incomplete transformation. This means that the larvae after appearance have an external resemblance to adult insects, that is, they can have complex eyes, a similar structure of the mouth organs and the beginnings of future wings. The scientific name for such larvae is nymphs. Let's take a look around which orthoptera insects are most common to us, and what we know about them.
Structural features
The order of orthoptera in Latin is called Orthoptera. Sometimes they are called bipedal bats. The detachment is divided into two isolated suborders: longhaust and short-haired.
Most often, Orthoptera insects have a similar body structure. It is elongated, with a fairly large head and developed eyes. Gnawing mouth organs are most often directed downward, but in some species (crickets) - forward. On the front of the head are antennae of various shapes.
The chest and back are divided into three segments. The pronotum has developed lateral lobes that do not cover the head. The middle and rear sections of the back are combined and delimited by sharp seams. The same goes for the middle and back of the chest.
Orthoptera insects have the characteristic shape of the hind legs. They are elongated compared to the front and have a thickening in the hips, which provides the ability to jump. However, there are species that have lost the ability to jump. A large number of spines are located on the hind tibia of the legs, and a few spurs are at the end. The front and middle legs are designed for running, digging or grasping movements.
The insect of the Orthoptera has dense elytra of a leathery structure with many veins. They are the main parts of the sound apparatus. The wings of this insect are fan-shaped. The back of the abdomen ends with the anal plate, on the last stern of which the males have the genitals, and the females have the ovipositor.
Classification
Scientists subdivide the following orders of insects: cockroach, orthoptera, earwigs, and so on. All of them are insects with incomplete transformation. Apparently, this similarity was enough for scientists to combine them into one squad. For some time, entomologists believed that the orthoptera insects are part of the superorder of the orthoptera and include locusts, grasshoppers, filly, bear, earwigs, cockroaches and praying mantises. This statement was considered true until the end of the last century. But today, after many observations and comparisons, the orthopterans include the orthoptera, that is, grasshoppers, crickets, the bear, locusts and a separate detachment - earwigs.
Old friend - grasshopper
Can you imagine that a grasshopper familiar to everyone since childhood is considered one of the oldest insect orders on Earth? The simple “trills” of the little musician have been heard for so long that it’s hard to imagine. Grasshoppers do not know how to fly, but thanks to strong hopping hind legs, they are very far transported, helping themselves with thin wide wings. With some stretch, the jumping of these insects can nevertheless be equated to flight. An interesting feature of a grasshopper is that it makes sounds and hears them with its feet!
It’s hard to imagine, but the grasshopper’s ear is located on the front legs and is about the same as the human. The thin membrane vibrates under the influence of sound, these vibrations capture sensitive nerve tissues, process them and direct them to the brain. It publishes grasshopper-specific trills with legs and elytra. Males have a “mirror” and a “bow” located on the right and left elytra. Crossing legs and vibrating wings, the grasshopper makes a chirp that defines the boundaries of its territory and attracts females.
Cricket
Cricket and bear are omnivorous insects. However, they give preference to plant foods.
Crickets are known for their evening "chants." Often these insects settle in houses, finding themselves a dark secluded place. And in nature, they dig themselves small burrows for wintering. The cricket is able to emit different sound signals, some are designed for females to perceive, while others scare competitors.
Medvedka
Medvedka also digs underground passages. She generally leads an underground life, finding herself here not only food, but also refuge. The hind legs of these insects are not as developed as grasshoppers and crickets, but the front legs are strong enough to dig complex underground passages.
At night, the bear can come to the surface. These insects can fly, but not well enough. The wings of the bear are folded in such a way as not to prevent it from moving back and forth underground.
Usually, bears choose river floodplains for life, but they are increasingly found in gardens and gardens. For summer residents, the invasion of a bear can be a real disaster.
Earwigs
As already noted, earwigs are a separate detachment in the superorder of Orthoptera. These are small insects with short wings and a long body. Different types of earwigs have different flying abilities. Someone does not fly at all, someone flies, but badly.
Earwigs are omnivores, skin-winged insects. Their favorite places of settlement are the area bordering human housing. Insects harm garden crops, but at the same time protect them from aphids and spider mites.
Earwigs are very fond of garden flowers. They destroy roses, peonies, phloxes, asters, but with pleasure they will eat vegetables and root crops, they will not refuse young seedlings and decorative plantings.
Scientists have described more than 1300 species of these insects, about twenty of them are found in our latitudes. In addition to representatives living the entire garden season, there are also earwigs of mayfly, whose whole life flies in 24 hours.
Draw conclusions
Squads of insects - cockroach, orthoptera, earwigs, mayflies - are very interesting to study. Each of them has its own characteristics. Someone sings inviting songs for females in the evenings, someone is able to completely destroy agricultural crops. Understanding their habits, you can understand the degree of danger to your home or garden. This will help to take measures in the fight against pests of the garden and garden plots.