PHASMATODEAStick and leaf insects

Plecoptera

PhasmidaOrthoptera

Zoraptera

Blattaria

GrylloblattodeaMantophasmatodea

EmbiodeaDermaptera

MantodeaIsoptera

Relationships of the Polyneoptera

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Phasmatodea

Number of Species

Common names

Distinguishing characteristics

Other features

Typical habitats

Hexapod Orders

3,000

Stick insects, leaf insects

Phasma - phantom

- arboreal, worldwide

-no ovipositor- no saltatorial hind legs- elongated prothorax

-some show parthenogenesis-very cryptic-prolonged mating

Features of Phasmatodea

No ovipositor

Hindlegs notsaltatorial

Elongate pronotum

Reproduction - mating

Reproduction - eggs

-mimic seed pods

operculum

BLATTODEA

Roaches

Blattodea

Number of Species

Common names

Distinguishing characteristics

Other features

Typical habitats

Hexapod Orders

4,000

Roaches, cockroaches

Blatta - roach

- damp, warm dark areas - tropical forests

-No ovipositor-No saltatorial hind legs

-ootheca used in oviposition

Distinguishing feature - Ootheca

Modes of Reproduction

Oviparous

Ovoviviparous

Viviparous

MANTODEA

Mantids

Mantodea

Number of Species

Common names

Distinguishing characteristics

Other features

Typical habitats

Hexapod Orders

2.300

Mantids

Mantid - soothsayer

- arboreal

-Predatory adaptations

-ootheca used in oviposition

Predatory adaptationsLarge eyesFreely moving head

Elongated prothorax

Raptorial forelegs

Predatory adaptations

Crypsis

Predatory adaptations

Crypsis

Mantodea - reproduction

Mantodea - reproduction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iftdIEAMcmw

Maxwell 1999 Behaviour 36:

Mantodea - reproduction

Mantodea - reproduction

ISOPTERA

(termites)

Isoptera

Number of Species

Common names

Distinguishing characteristics

Other features

Typical habitats

Hexapod Orders

3,000

Termites, white ants

Iso - equal, ptera - wings

- fossorial, colonial

-Sociality-Castes

-loss of ovipositor

Digesting lignocellulose

Lignin

Termites and symbiotic bacteria and protists

Termite Castes

Queen

Soldier

Worker

King

Alates

Termite Life Cycle

Nymphs

Supplemental reproductives

Worker

Soldier

Reproductive nymph Alate(winged reproductive}

Wingless reproductiveKing

Queen

Eggs

Fig. 2. Live individuals of Glossotermes oculatus, exposed afterdamage to the log housing the colony. S, soldiers; L, larva; otherindividuals are apterous immatures. Total length of an apterousimmature, from mandibles to tip of abdomen, is about 3mm.

Fig. 3. Dorsal view of various castes in Glossotermes oculatus: (A) apterous immature; (B) female apterous neotenic; (C) nymph; and (D)female nymphoid neotenic.

How are castes determined?

King

Produce male inhibitor Produce female inhibitor

Queen

stimulates

Male nymph Female nymphAbsorbs male inhibitorPasses female inhibitor

Absorbs female inhibitorPasses male inhibitor

To other worker nymphs via mutual feeding

proctodeal feeding

proctodeal feeding

Termite nests

Termite nests

Termite nests Heat Regulation

General orientation of nest

Path of sun

Termite nests Heat Regulation

Inhabited

Uninhabited

Termite Damage

Termite range