Page 29 - Adventures through the World of Entomology

HOMOPTERA—or for our purpose, Homo ptera. HOMOPTERA—or for our purpose, Homo ptera.
“homo” comes form the Greek meaning “one of the WINGED APHID “homo” comes form the Greek meaning “one of the WINGED APHID
same” or “alike.” The name homoptera tells us same” or “alike.” The name homoptera tells us
that the insects in this order have four wings that that the insects in this order have four wings that
are alike in size and texture. This order of insects are alike in size and texture. This order of insects
includes Cicadas, Scale insects, Leaf hopper, and includes Cicadas, Scale insects, Leaf hopper, and
Aphids. It is an important order of insects for those Aphids. It is an important order of insects for those
pest control service technicians who are performing pest control service technicians who are performing
ornamental pest control. These insects are plant NOTE THE OTHER APHD ornamental pest control. These insects are plant NOTE THE OTHER APHD
WTHOUT WNGS
WTHOUT WNGS
infesting and usually have no significant role in Photo Courtesy of UNVAR infesting and usually have no significant role in Photo Courtesy of UNVAR
public health. public health.

DERMAPTERA — or for our purposes Derma ptera. “Derma” comes from the Greek word “Dermis,” DERMAPTERA — or for our purposes Derma ptera. “Derma” comes from the Greek word “Dermis,”
meaning skin or covering, as in Dermatology — the branch of medicine relating to skin, or as in meaning skin or covering, as in Dermatology — the branch of medicine relating to skin, or as in
epidermis, the outer layer of our skin. The name epidermis, the outer layer of our skin. The name
dermaptera then, is telling us that the first dermaptera then, is telling us that the first
pair of wings form a skin-like covering over the pair of wings form a skin-like covering over the
membranous second pair of wings. Earwigs belong membranous second pair of wings. Earwigs belong
to this order of insects. There are 22 species of to this order of insects. There are 22 species of
earwigs in the United States, but only 5 or 6 species earwigs in the United States, but only 5 or 6 species
come to the attention of the pest control service come to the attention of the pest control service
technician. Earwigs can be classified as “occasional technician. Earwigs can be classified as “occasional
invaders.” That is, they are outdoor (garden) invaders.” That is, they are outdoor (garden)
pests that invade the house just because it is there. pests that invade the house just because it is there.
Photo Courtesy of UNVAR Photo Courtesy of UNVAR
They are brought into the kitchen in the morning They are brought into the kitchen in the morning
newspaper into which they have crawled at dawn to get into a dark and secure environment. They can newspaper into which they have crawled at dawn to get into a dark and secure environment. They can
be brought into the house on pieces of furniture, or any other items that are moved back and fourth from be brought into the house on pieces of furniture, or any other items that are moved back and fourth from
patio to den. Sometimes they just walk into the house through the crack under the door. They do not patio to den. Sometimes they just walk into the house through the crack under the door. They do not
pose a public health threat. They are just a nuisance that the housewife does not easily tolerate. pose a public health threat. They are just a nuisance that the housewife does not easily tolerate.

Post Quiz for Adventure two Post Quiz for Adventure two

1. Insects belong to the Animal kingdom. t f 1. Insects belong to the Animal kingdom. t f
2. of the twenty-five or so orders of insects, pest control service technicians encounter t f 2. of the twenty-five or so orders of insects, pest control service technicians encounter t f
representatives of sixteen of these orders commonly in the field. representatives of sixteen of these orders commonly in the field.

3. All insects have wings. t f 3. All insects have wings. t f
4. fleas have only two wings. t f 4. fleas have only two wings. t f

5. flies belong to the order diptera. t f 5. flies belong to the order diptera. t f
6. All flies have two wings. t f 6. All flies have two wings. t f

7. flies can transmit organisms that cause food poisoning. t f 7. flies can transmit organisms that cause food poisoning. t f
8. yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease. t f 8. yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease. t f

9. members of the order diptera sometimes present outstanding public health problems. t f 9. members of the order diptera sometimes present outstanding public health problems. t f
10. the naval orange worm moth belongs to the order lepidoptera. t f 10. the naval orange worm moth belongs to the order lepidoptera. t f

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