Insect Orders
Insect Identification: The Basics
What is an Insect
The Thorax
The thorax is split into three sections: the prothorax, the mesothorax, and the metathorax. The prothorax has the fore legs, the mesothorax holds the mid legs and fore wings, and the metathorax holds the hind legs and wings.
The legs of insects are divided into 5 distinct segments: the coxa, trochanter, femur, tibia, and the tarsus, which is 3-5 segments long and terminates with 1 or 2 tarsal claws.
Most insects have 4 wings. A notable exception are the flies (Diptera), in which the hind wings are modified into a pair of halters that are used for balance.
Tools and Methods for Collecting Aquatic Insects