Phylum Arthropoda: "Jointed Feet"
The phylum Arthropoda comprise the largest number of species of any animal phyla - far more than a million known, and perhaps eight or nine times as many still undocumented. They are active on and under the ground, in and above the water, and in the air. Here in Central Texas, we have six-legged arthropods (insects), eight-legged arthropods (spiders and scorpions), ten-legged arthropods (crawdads), fourteen-legged arthropods (pill bugs), and those with many more legs (centipedes and millipedes). [Be aware that classifications can and do change. It takes time for these changes to trickle through the system, there are disagreements in science over changes and classifications, and there may be differences in what you study and learn than what is presented here.]
Subphylum Hexapoda (six feet): So here is one of those classification changes mentioned above. Hexapoda and Insecta were once synonymous. Now Hexapoda is a subphylum and Insecta is a class, after three orders that were once considered insects were re-classified and needed a new home in the animal family tree. As their name suggests, hexapods have six legs. They are also characterized by three distinct body segments (head, thorax and abdomen), and many (but not all) have wings.
Class Insecta: Possessing three-segmented bodies (head, thorax and abdomen), six walking legs, a pair of antennae, and frequently (but not always) wings. Insects are some of the most ubiquitous animals around, and come in a dazzling array of colors, shapes, and habits.
Images of insects, most taken in Central Texas, are on the following page, by Order:
Order Hemiptera (True Bugs)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees and Wasps)
Order Diptera (Flies)
Order Orthoptera (“Hoppers”)
Order Mantodea (Mantises)
Order Phasmatodea (Stick insects)
Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
Order Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies)
Order Plecoptera (Stoneflies)
Order Megaloptera (Fishflies and Dobsonflies)
Order Neuroptera (Net-Winged Insects)
Order Blattodea (Cockroaches and Termites)
Images of insects, most taken in Central Texas, are on the following page, by Order:
Order Hemiptera (True Bugs)
Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees and Wasps)
Order Diptera (Flies)
Order Orthoptera (“Hoppers”)
Order Mantodea (Mantises)
Order Phasmatodea (Stick insects)
Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
Order Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies)
Order Plecoptera (Stoneflies)
Order Megaloptera (Fishflies and Dobsonflies)
Order Neuroptera (Net-Winged Insects)
Order Blattodea (Cockroaches and Termites)