The class Insects, order Orthoptera number almost 25 thousand species, 651 of them belong to fossil species. They belong to the new-winged order and have an incomplete metamorphosis. This means that the larvae after the appearance have an external resemblance to adult insects, that is, they may have compound eyes, a similar structure of the mouth organs and the rudiments of future wings. The scientific name for these larvae is nymphs. Let's take a look at what orthoptera insects we meet most often, and what we know about them.
Building features
Orthoptera order in Latin is called Orthoptera. They are sometimes called jumping orthoptera. The order is subdivided into two isolated suborders: long-whiskered and short-whiskered.
Most often, Orthopteran insects have a similar body structure. It is elongated, with a fairly large head and developed eyes. Gnawing mouthparts are most often directed downwards, but in some species (crickets) they are directed 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. Middle and back sectionsthe backs are combined and delimited by sharp seams. The same goes for the middle and rear chest.
Orthopteran insects have a characteristic shape of their 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. There are a large number of spines along the hind legs, and several spurs at the end. The front and middle legs are designed for running, digging or grasping.
Insect of the order Orthoptera has dense elytra of a leathery structure with many veins. They contain the main parts of the sound apparatus. The wings of this insect are fan-shaped. The back of the abdomen ends in an anal plate, on the last sternite of which males have genitals, and females have an ovipositor.
Classification
Scientists subdivide the following orders of insects: cockroaches, orthoptera, earwigs and so on. All of them are insects with incomplete metamorphosis. Apparently, this similarity was enough for scientists to combine them into one squad. For some time, entomologists believed that orthopteran insects were part of the superorder Orthoptera and included locusts, grasshoppers, fillies, bears, 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 Orthoptera superorder includes Orthoptera, that is, grasshoppers, crickets, bears, locusts and a separate detachment - earwigs.
An old friend - a grasshopper
Can you imagine that the grasshopper, familiar to everyone since childhood, belongs to one of the oldest orders of insects on Earth? The uncomplicated "trills" of a little musician have been heard for so long that it is hard to imagine. Grasshoppers do not know how to fly, but thanks to strong jumping hind legs, they are carried very far, helping themselves with thin wide wings. With some stretch, the jumps of these insects can still be equated with flight. An interesting feature of the grasshopper is that it makes sounds and hears them with its feet!
It's hard to imagine, but the ear of a grasshopper is located on the front legs and it is arranged in much the same way as a human ear. A thin membrane vibrates under the influence of sound, these vibrations capture sensitive nerve tissues, process them and send them to the brain. The grasshopper emits specific trills with its legs and elytra. Males have a "mirror" and a "bow" located on the right and left elytra. Stepping over its legs and vibrating its wings, the grasshopper emits a chirp that defines the boundaries of its territory and attracts females.
Cricket
Cricket and Medvedka are omnivorous insects. However, they prefer 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 small holes for themselves for wintering. The cricket is able to emit different sound signals, some are intended for perception by females, while others scare away competitors.
Medvedka
Medvedka also digs underground passages. She generally leads an underground life, finding herself here not only food, but also shelter. The hind legs of these insects are not as highly developed as those of grasshoppers and crickets, but the front legs are strong enough to dig complex underground passages.
At night, bears 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 interfere with her moving back and forth underground.
Usually, bears choose floodplains for life, but more and more often they are found in vegetable gardens and gardens. For summer residents, the invasion of the bear can be a real disaster.
Earwigs
As already noted, earwigs are a separate order in the superorder Orthoptera. These are small insects with short wings and a long body. Different types of earwigs have different flight abilities. Someone does not fly at all, someone flies, but badly.
Earwigs are omnivores, leather-winged insects. Their favorite places of settlement for them are the area bordering on human habitation. 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 they will happily 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 gardening season, there are also mayfly earwigs, whose entire life flies by in 24 hours.
drawing conclusions
Squads of insects - cockroaches, 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 action in the fight against pests in the garden and garden plot.
