25 Introduction

Identification to Order – Introduction

With all this diversity, where do we even start??!

Your text has a number of identification keys at the back. We will be using those to identify insects to order and family. We’ll start with the order level. Some orders you will learn to recognize quickly and easily. Those orders are pulled out first, and the remainder will need to be keyed. You may also find this online resource from North Carolina State University (https://genent.cals.ncsu.edu/insect-identification/), or other online resources, helpful.

There is often redundancy built into keys, so if you go wrong somewhere you can still get to an answer. It is always good practice, when you have a result, to go and look at photos, drawings, etc. to see if your identification makes sense!

At the order level, you will mostly be looking at various wing characteristics, the type of mouthparts, and sometimes characteristics of the legs.