Neoptera - Definition and Overview

Neopterans
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Subkingdom: Metazoa Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Hexapoda Class: Insecta Subclass: Pterygota Infraclass: Neoptera
Orders
&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Blattodea (cockroaches) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Mantodea (mantids) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Isoptera (termites) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Zoraptera &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Grylloblattodea &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Dermaptera (earwigs) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Plecoptera (stoneflies) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Phasmatodea (walking sticks, timemas) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Embioptera (webspinners) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) &nbsp&nbsp Superorder Hemipterodea &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Psocoptera (booklice, barklice) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Phthiraptera (lice) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Hemiptera (true bugs) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Thysanoptera (thrips) &nbsp&nbsp Superorder Endopterygota &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Miomoptera - extinct &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Megaloptera (alderflies, etc.) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Raphidioptera (snakeflies) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Neuroptera (net-veined insects) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Coleoptera (beetles) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Strepsiptera (twisted-winged parasites) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Mecoptera (scorpionflies, etc.) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Siphonaptera (fleas) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Protodiptera extinct &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Diptera (true flies) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Trichoptera (caddisflies) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths) &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps, etc.)

Neoptera is a classification group that includes almost all the winged insects, specifically those that can flex their wings over their abdomens (in contrast to Paleoptera). This was in contrast with the more ancient orders of winged insects, which are unable to flex their wings in this way.

ITIS treats Neoptera as a superorder; other authorities treat it, as here, as in infraclass, and recognise several superorders within it.

The insect orders (non-extinct) currently recognised within the neopteran group include the following:

Grylloblattaria -- rock crawlers.

Phasmida -- walking sticks.

Orthoptera -- grasshoppers and crickets.

Mantodea -- mantids.

Blattaria -- cockroaches.

Isoptera -- termites.

Dermaptera -- earwigs.

Embioptera -- webspinners.

Plecoptera -- stoneflies.

Zoraptera -- zorapterans.

Psocoptera -- psocids, book lice.

Phthiraptera -- lice.

Hemiptera -- bugs.

Homoptera -- cicadas, hoppers, aphids, scale insects.

Thysanoptera -- thrips.

Neuroptera -- lace wings, ant lions, dobsonflies.

Coleoptera -- beetles.

Strepsiptera -- twisted wing parasites.

Mecoptera -- scorpionflies.

Siphonaptera -- fleas.

Diptera -- flies and mosquitoes.

Tricoptera -- caddisflies.

Lepidoptera -- butterflies, moths, skippers.

Hymenoptera -- bees, wasps, ants.