Insect 4

Question 1

Give some features of the order Coleoptera

Answer 1

Elyta - hardened front wings

Large hind wings with specialised venation for tucking and for powerful flight

Reduced thorax

Retracted genitalia

Most herbivorous

Can be fungivorous, predaceous, parasitic or have perculiar diets e.g. pure cellulose

Question 2

What are some functions of the elytra?

Answer 2

Access to habitats and space

Wing protection

Infection and predation protection

Homeostasis

Question 3

What can the Coleoptera be split into?

Answer 3

Adephaga - mostly predatory and consists mainly of ground beetles and aquatics

Polyphaga - mostly herbivorous

Question 4

What families can the Coleoptera be split into? Give some features of each

Answer 4

Polyphaga superfamilies:

Scarabeiformia

-highly modified prothorax for burrowing
-clavate or lamellate antennae
-scarabeiform larvae
-mostly phytophagous

Elateriformia

-long lived larvae but short lived adults
-dominated by click beetles

Cucujiformia

-dorso-ventrally flattened
-associated with wood and leaf litter
-some are predators or parasites

Question 5

Name some insect sensory perceptions

Answer 5

Chemoreception

Mechanoreception

Thermal and hygrorcepetion

Visual reception

Question 6

Give some features of the Lepidoptera

Answer 6

Medium ocellus is lost

vom Rath’s organ

Fore tibial brush

Glossa

Wing setae modified to form scales

Largest lineage of plant feeding organisms

Structurally and ecologically homoegenous

Cretaceous radiation

Synchronised with angiosperms

Question 7

Give some features of the sub-order Glossata

Answer 7

Vestigial or absent mandibles

Opposed galeae - coiled proboscis

Articulated larval spinneret

Pupa is also adectious