Did you know 80% of the insects we see get their names from Latin? These names help scientists tell them apart. They include butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, and beetles. Each name tells something special about the insect.
This article is about insect names. We will look at why naming them correctly is important. We will also see how the naming system works. And why it matters in the world of insects. Learning about their names helps us know and love the many insects out there.
Insect Scientific Names List
Here is a list of insect common names and their corresponding scientific names, covering various insect groups:
Names With A:
- Ants: Formicidae
- Aphids: Aphidoidea
- Apple Maggot: Rhagoletis pomonella
- Armyworms: Spodoptera spp.
- Asian Longhorned Beetle: Anoplophora glabripennis
- Asian Tiger Mosquito: Aedes albopictus
- Assassin Bug: Reduviidae
- Australian Cockroach: Periplaneta australasiae
Names With B:
- Bagworms: Psychidae
- Bald-faced Hornet: Dolichovespula maculata
- Bark Beetles: Scolytinae
- Bed Bugs: Cimex lectularius
- Bee Flies: Bombyliidae
- Bees: Anthophila
- Beet Armyworm: Spodoptera exigua
- Beetles: Coleoptera
- Biting Flies: Tabanidae
- Black Carpet Beetle: Attagenus unicolor
- Black Horse Fly: Tabanus atratus
- Black Vine Weevil: Otiorhynchus sulcatus
- Black Widow Spider: Latrodectus mactans
- Blister Beetles: Meloidae
- Blow Flies: Calliphoridae
- Blue Bottle Fly: Calliphora vomitoria
- Blueberry Maggot: Rhagoletis mendax
- Boxelder Bug: Boisea trivittata
- Brown-banded Cockroach: Supella longipalpa
- Brown Dog Tick: Rhipicephalus sanguineus
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Halyomorpha halys
- Buffalo Treehopper: Stictocephala bisonia
- Bumble Bees: Bombus spp.
- Burying Beetles: Nicrophorus spp.
- Butterflies: Rhopalocera
Names With C:
- Cabbage Looper: Trichoplusia ni
- Cabbage Maggot: Delia radicum
- Caddisflies: Trichoptera
- Camel Crickets: Rhaphidophoridae
- Carpenter Ants: Camponotus spp.
- Carpenter Bees: Xylocopa spp.
- Carrion Beetles: Silphidae
- Caterpillars: Lepidoptera larvae
- Cellar Spiders: Pholcidae
- Centipedes: Chilopoda
- Cicadas: Cicadidae
- Click Beetles: Elateridae
- Clothes Moths: Tineola bisselliella
- Cluster Flies: Pollenia rudis
- Cockroaches: Blattodea
- Codling Moth: Cydia pomonella
- Colorado Potato Beetle: Leptinotarsa decemlineata
- Common Stalk Borer: Papaipema nebris
- Corn Earworm: Helicoverpa zea
- Corn Rootworm: Diabrotica spp.
- Crane Flies: Tipulidae
- Crickets: Gryllidae
- Cucumber Beetle: Diabrotica undecimpunctata
Names With D:
- Damselflies: Zygoptera
- Deer Flies: Chrysops spp.
- Deer Tick: Ixodes scapularis
- Diamondback Moth: Plutella xylostella
- Dobsonflies: Corydalidae
- Dog Tick: Dermacentor variabilis
- Dragonflies: Anisoptera
- Drain Flies: Psychodidae
- Drone Fly: Eristalis tenax
Names With E:
- Earwigs: Dermaptera
- Eastern Black Swallowtail: Papilio polyxenes
- Eastern Tent Caterpillars: Malacosoma americanum
- Elm Sawfly: Cimbex americana
- Emerald Ash Borer: Agrilus planipennis
- European Chafer: Amphimallon majale
- European Corn Borer: Ostrinia nubilalis
- European Hornet: Vespa crabro
Names With F:
- Fall Armyworm: Spodoptera frugiperda
- False Honey Ant: Prenolepis imparis
- Field Crickets: Gryllus spp.
- Firebrats: Thermobia domestica
- Fireflies: Lampyridae
- Flat Bark Beetle: Cucujidae
- Fleas: Siphonaptera
- Flour Beetles: Tribolium spp.
- Flower Flies: Syrphidae
- Forest Tent Caterpillars: Malacosoma disstria
- Fruit Flies: Drosophila spp.
Names With G:
- Gall Wasps: Cynipidae
- Garden Spiders: Araneus spp.
- German Cockroach: Blattella germanica
- Giant Water Bug: Belostomatidae
- Golden Ground Beetle: Carabus auratus
- Grain Beetles: Oryzaephilus spp.
- Grasshoppers: Acrididae
- Green Peach Aphid: Myzus persicae
- Ground Beetles: Carabidae
- Ground-nesting Solitary Bees: Andrenidae
- Grubs (White Grubs): Scarabaeidae larvae
Names With H:
- Head Lice: Pediculus humanus capitis
- Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Adelges tsugae
- Hickory Tussock Caterpillar: Lophocampa caryae
- Honey Bees: Apis mellifera
- Horse Flies: Tabanus spp.
- House Centipede: Scutigera coleoptrata
- House Flies: Musca domestica
- Hover Flies: Syrphidae
- Hummingbird Clearwing Moth: Hemaris thysbe
Names With I:
- Ichneumonid Wasps: Ichneumonidae
- Imported Cabbageworm: Pieris rapae
- Indian Meal Moth: Plodia interpunctella
Names With J:
- Japanese Beetles: Popillia japonica
- Jumping Spiders: Salticidae
- June Beetles: Phyllophaga spp.
Names With K:
- Katydids: Tettigoniidae
- Kennel Tick: Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Names With L:
- Lacewings: Chrysopidae
- Ladybugs: Coccinellidae
- Larder Beetles: Dermestes lardarius
- Leafhoppers: Cicadellidae
- Leek Moth: Acrolepiopsis assectella
- Lesser Grain Borer: Rhyzopertha dominica
- Lice: Phthiraptera
- Lily Leaf Beetle: Lilioceris lilii
- Longhorned Beetles: Cerambycidae
- Loopers: Geometridae
- Luna Moth: Actias luna
Names With M:
- March Flies: Bibionidae
- Masked Hunter: Reduvius personatus
- Mayflies: Ephemeroptera
- Meal Moth: Pyralis farinalis
- Mealworms: Tenebrio molitor
- Mealybugs: Pseudococcidae
- Mexican Bean Beetle: Epilachna varivestis
- Millipedes: Diplopoda
- Mites: Acari
- Monarch Butterfly: Danaus plexippus
- Mosquitoes: Culicidae
- Moth Flies: Psychodidae
- Moths: Heterocera
- Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle: Harmonia axyridis
Names With N:
- Non-biting Midges: Chironomidae
- Northern Corn Rootworm: Diabrotica barberi
Names With O:
- Odorous House Ants: Tapinoma sessile
- Oil Beetles: Meloidae
- Onion Maggots: Delia antiqua
Names With P:
- Painted Lady: Vanessa cardui
- Paper Wasps: Polistes spp.
- Parson Spider: Herpyllus ecclesiasticus
- Peach Tree Borer: Synanthedon exitiosa
- Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach: Parcoblatta pennsylvanica
- Periodical Cicadas: Magicicada spp.
- Pharaoh Ants: Monomorium pharaonis
- Pillbugs: Armadillidiidae
- Pine Needle Scale: Chionaspis pinifoliae
- Pine Shoot Beetle: Tomicus piniperda
- Pine Tortoise Scale: Toumeyella parvicornis
- Pink Bollworm: Pectinophora gossypiella
- Plant Bugs: Miridae
- Powderpost Beetles: Lyctinae
- Praying Mantids: Mantidae
- Predatory Beetles: Carabidae
- Psyllids: Psyllidae
Names With Q:
- Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing: Ornithoptera alexandrae
Names With R:
- Red Admiral: Vanessa atalanta
- Red Flour Beetle: Tribolium castaneum
- Red Imported Fire Ant: Solenopsis invicta
- Red-legged Grasshopper: Melanoplus femurrubrum
- Rice Weevil: Sitophilus oryzae
- Robber Flies: Asilidae
- Rose Sawflies: Arge ochropus
- Rose Slugs: Endelomyia aethiops
- Roundheaded Borers (and Longhorned Beetles): Cerambycidae
- Rusty Tussock Moth Caterpillar: Orgyia antiqua
Names With S:
- Sawflies: Tenthredinidae
- European Pine Sawfly: Neodiprion sertifer
- Dogwood Sawfly: Macremphytus tarsatus
- Elm Sawfly: Cimbex americana
- Introduced Pine Sawfly: Diprion similis
- Variegated Golden Tortrix: Archips xylosteana
- Scale Insects: Coccoidea
- San Jose Scale: Quadraspidiotus perniciosus
- Japanese Wax Scale: Ceroplastes japonicus
- Scorpionflies: Mecoptera
- Scorpions: Scorpiones
- Seed Corn Maggot: Delia platura
- Seed Ticks: Ixodidae larvae
- Short-lived Caddisfly: Trichoptera
- Silverfish: Lepisma saccharinum
- Six-spotted Fishing Spider: Dolomedes triton
- Skippers: Hesperiidae
- Small Minnow Mayfly: Baetidae
- Small Plant Bugs: Miridae
- Smoked Bloodwing: Haematobosca atripalpis
- Snake Worms: Amynthas agrestis
- Snowfleas: Hypogastrura nivicola
- Sod Webworm: Crambus spp.
- Soldier Beetles: Cantharidae
- Spined Soldier Bug: Podisus maculiventris
- Soybean Aphid: Aphis glycines
- Spider Mites: Tetranychidae
- Spiders: Araneae
- Common House Spider: Parasteatoda tepidariorum
- Hobo Spider: Eratigena agrestis
- Jumping Spider: Salticidae
- Nursery Web Spider: Pisaurina mira
- Sac Spiders: Clubionidae
- Wolf Spiders: Lycosidae
- Spongy Moth Caterpillar: Lymantria dispar
- Springtails: Collembola
- Spotted Apatelodes: Apatelodes torrefacta
- Spotted Cucumber Beetle: Diabrotica undecimpunctata
- Spotted-wing Drosophila: Drosophila suzukii
- Squash Bugs: Anasa tristis
- Stalk Borers: Papaipema nebris
- Stinging Rose Caterpillar: Parasa indetermina
- Stoneflies: Plecoptera
- Striped Earwig: Labidura riparia
- Striped Garden Caterpillar: Trichoplusia ni
- Striped Pine Scale: Toumeyella pini
- Sugarcane Beetle: Euetheola humilis
- Sugarcane Rootstock Weevil: Rhabdoscelus obscurus
- Sulphur Butterfly: Colias spp.
- Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle: Labidomera clivicollis
- Swede Midge: Contarinia nasturtii
- Swirly-eyed Moth: Spiralis iridomus
Names With T:
- Tabanid Flies: Tabanidae
- Tachinid Flies: Tachinidae
- Tarnished Plant Bug: Lygus lineolaris
- Tent Caterpillars: Malacosoma spp.
- Forest Tent Caterpillar: Malacosoma disstria
- Eastern Tent Caterpillar: Malacosoma americanum
- Tent Worms: Malacosoma spp.
- Termites: Isoptera
- Theba Pisana: Theba pisana
- Thorn Bugs: Membracidae
- Thrips: Thysanoptera
- Ticks: Ixodida
- Bird Tick: Argas spp.
- Black-legged Tick: Ixodes scapularis
- Deer Tick: Ixodes scapularis
- Lone Star Tick: Amblyomma americanum
- Moose Tick: Dermacentor albipictus
- Rabbit Tick: Haemaphysalis leporispalustris
- Seed Ticks: Ixodidae larvae
- Tulip Tree Beauty: Epimecis hortaria
Names With U:
- Underwing Moths: Catocala spp.
- Unicorn Caterpillar: Schizura unicornis
- Universal Moth: Synanthedon universi
- Uroleucon aphids: Uroleucon spp.
Names With V:
- Variegated Cutworm: Peridroma saucia
- Variegated Golden Tortrix: Archips xylosteana
- Varied Carpet Beetle: Anthrenus verbasci
- Velvet Ants: Mutillidae
- Velvet Mites: Trombidiidae
- Viceroy Butterfly: Limenitis archippus
- Vinegar Flies: Drosophila spp.
- Vole Fleas: Megabothris spp.
Names With W:
- Walkingsticks: Phasmatodea
- Wasps: Hymenoptera
- Paper Wasps: Polistes spp.
- Golden Paper Wasps: Polistes aurifer
- Water Boatman: Corixidae
- Water Striders: Gerridae
- Western Conifer Seed Bug: Leptoglossus occidentalis
- Western Flower Thrips: Frankliniella occidentalis
- Western Yellowjacket: Vespula pensylvanica
- Weevils: Curculionidae
- Wheat Wireworms: Agriotes spp.
- White-fringed Beetle: Graphognathus spp.
- White Grubs: Scarabaeidae larvae
- White-lined Sphinx Moth: Hyles lineata
- Whitefly: Aleyrodidae
- Willow Sawfly: Nematus oligospilus
- Wireworms: Elateridae
- Wood Ants: Formica rufa
- Woodlice: Oniscidea
- Wood Mites: Acarina
- Wood Roaches: Parcoblatta spp.
- Woolly Bear Caterpillar: Pyrrharctia isabella
- Woolly Leaf Aphids: Prociphilus spp.
- Woolly Maple Aphid: Neoprociphilus aceris
- Woolly-bear Caterpillar: Pyrrharctia isabella
- Woolly Apple Aphid: Eriosoma lanigerum
Names With X:
- Xerces Blue Butterfly: Glaucopsyche xerces
- Xylophagous (wood-eating) Insects: Xylophaga spp.
Names With Y:
- Yellow Mealworm: Tenebrio molitor
- Yellow Bear Caterpillar: Spilosoma virginica
- Yellow-jacket Wasps: Vespula spp.
- Yellow-bordered Underwing: Catocala cerogama
- Yellow-necked Caterpillar: Datana ministra
- Yellowstriped Oakworm: Anisota peigleri
Names With Z:
- Zebra Caterpillar: Melanchra picta
- Zebra Longwing Butterfly: Heliconius charithonia
- Zorapterans: Zoraptera
- Zygentoma (Silverfish and Firebrats): Zygentoma
The Significance of Accurate Insect Classification
Why classify and what is the use of classifying?
Accurate insect names are key in insect taxonomy and systematic entomology. They help scientists see what species means very clearly. Naming insects right makes it easier to talk about them. This is important for research, both in labs and outside.
We use taxonomical categories to guess how pests will act and find ways to control them. Knowing which insect is which is vital for stopping pests well. We need new computer ways to find and share this info for the future.
Scientists look at who insects mate with to group them. They also use Mendelian laws of heredity to study their genes for pest control. If insects can’t mate because of where they live, they might change over time. This can make them react differently to pest control. Some insects from different places might not be harmed by the same bug killers.
By knowing where pests come from, we can find ways to control them better. Sometimes, just a few bugs brought somewhere don’t show all the types from their home.
Hierarchical System of Insect Classification
Insect classification uses a complex, pyramid structure. It groups creatures by their similar looks, mainly. As we go up this system, different groups look less alike. But, heading down makes the groups more alike. There are levels like classes, orders, families, and species part of this system.
Take the Insecta class, for example. It has more than a million species. This class fits into a bigger group called Arthropoda, with subclasses like Crustacea.And here, you might find about 30,000 species. Class Insecta includes 27-30 orders, depending on who’s counting.
Orders then split into sub-orders, super-families, and families, each having special features. For instance, flies come under the order Diptera, which has groups like Muscoidea. Names follow certain endings, like -oidea for super-families and -idae for families.
As we get to genus and species, things get really detailed. A big genus could have over 1,000 species. Plus, many have sub-genera, like in Europe. Diabrotica virgifera (Western corn rootworm) also has a subspecies called Diabrotica virgifera zeae.
It’s super important to be precise in how we classify insects. This matters a lot for research, whether in labs or outside. There’s a set way for naming insects, thanks to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. It calls for using a genus name followed by a species name. And it’s important to note the author who first described the species.
| Taxonomical Category | Example |
|---|---|
| Class | Insecta, Crustacea |
| Order | Diptera (flies), Araneae (spiders) |
| Family | Curculionidae (weevils), Muscoidea (house flies) |
| Genus | Otiorhynchus, Diabrotica |
| Species | Diabrotica virgifera, Diabrotica virgifera zeae |
The system for organizing insects helps us understand their variety better. It makes research, talking, and saving them easier.
Understanding Genus and Species Names
In the world of bugs, scientific names are key. They help us tell different kinds apart. Each bug gets a special two-name tag. The first part is the genus, like a family name. The second part, the species, shows the kind of bug it is.
The genus name groups insects. The species name pinpoints one type in that group. Both names together make the scientific name every scientist knows. It’s like a bug’s official name2.
Species Name Writing
Writing species names the right way is important. It makes sure that all bug names are clear and correct. The rules say the genus name starts with a big letter. Then the species name is all small letters.
The whole scientific name also might have the first person to find that bug. And the year they found it. This is called the authority. It adds a history lesson to the bug’s name.
| Scientific Name | Genus Name | Species Name | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panthera leo | Panthera | leo | Linnaeus, 1758 |
| Danaus plexippus | Danaus | plexippus | Linnaeus, 1758 |
| Apis mellifera | Apis | mellifera | Linnaeus, 1758 |
Using these rules makes talking about bug species clear. It helps scientists and bug lovers share info easily. That’s why it’s so important to get the names right.
Insect names are built in amazing ways. Taxonomists work hard to name bugs and learn about them.
Decoding Scientific Names
| Insect Scientific Name | Common Name | Name Derivation |
|---|---|---|
| Musca domestica | Housefly | From the Latin words “musca” (fly) and “domestica” (domestic) |
| Mantis religiosa | Praying Mantis | The Latin name refers to the insect’s distinctive prayer-like stance |
| Danaus plexippus | Monarch Butterfly | The genus name “Danaus” is derived from a mythological figure, while “plexippus” is a combination of Greek words meaning “many” and “horse,” referring to the butterfly’s wing patterns |
The Meaning Behind Scientific Names
Insect names often tell us about how they look, act, and where they live. We learn so much by knowing the meanings of their names from Latin or Greek roots.
Here’s something cool: The name Musca means “fly” in Latin. And domestica tells us it’s found near people’s houses.
Take Aedes, for example. It means “unpleasant” in Greek. Aegypti shows us it’s from Egypt. This helps us know more about the insect and where it lives.
Scientific names can also show things like color and size. Albus means white. Acuminatus means sharp. And Aestivus means it’s linked to summer.
By learning about scientific names, we become insect experts. It’s all about understanding the language and meanings behind these names. This helps us see just how incredible insects are in their environment.
Shortening and Referencing Scientific Names
In the science world and everyday talks, insect scientific names get shortened for ease. The first time we talk about a bug, we use the full scientific name. Then, it’s just the genus name first letter after the dot (like Musca domestica to M. domestica).
We might use “sp.” for an unidentified species in a known genus or “ssp.” for subspecies. These help us talk more quickly but stay correct in the science world. Science needs to be both accurate and easy to talk about.
The genus name is always capitalized, but the species name isn’t. This rule helps us talk about scientific names clearly, no matter where or how we’re talking about bugs.
Knowing how to shorten scientific names helps everyone in the bug world. Researchers, scientists, and fans can all talk and learn more about insects. This way, we all grow to love and understand these amazing bugs better.
Conclusion
Understanding bug names is key in studying bugs. A system is used to name them. This helps us see how many there are and how different they can be. Names are important for knowing and talking about all the bug types out there.
In the bug world, names help us figure out who’s who. It shows how all life is connected. Science uses special names to tell bugs apart and find info on them easily. It’s important to keep using the right names to work together better and learn more about bugs.
Learning bug names and how they’re classified is very important. There are more than 5.5 million bugs, but we only know about one million. So, there are still many bugs for scientists to discover and learn about.
