Insect species

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The following moderators provide knowledge and expertise for Insects:

donhe  |  AlisonMilton  |  RogerF  |  HarveyPerkins  |  mcosgrove  |  WingsToWander  |  canberrabutterflies  |  Curiosity  |  MEJETEuge  |  KylieWaldon  |  Aussiegall

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Overview

A guide to Australian insect families (from CSIRO) can be found at:
http://anic.ento.csiro.au/insectfamilies/

A useful introduction to Insects, visit:
http://australianmuseum.net.au/uploads/documents/9362/invertebrate_guide.pdf

A diagram of Insect morphology illustrating terminology with legend of body parts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_morphology#/media/File:Insect_anatomy_diagram.svg

A diagram of an insect illustrating terminology based on a worker ant, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaster_(insect_anatomy)#/media/File:Scheme_ant_worker_anatomy-en.svg

Photographing insects

There are two main ways to photograph insects with a camera: using a macro close-up lens or a zoom lens. If the insect tolerates your getting very close, then you can use the macro lens. For example, some moths will remain quite still when approached, believing they are camouflaged and invisible. However, many insects, especially those that can fly, will move away when you approach. This is especially true for insects like butterflies and dragonflies. So a good zoom lens is very useful for photographing many insects. If you are using a smartphone, then use a macro lens or a macro attachment. E.g. OlloClip for iPhone. If you want to have an insect identified to species then clear photographs are usually needed because minute parts of the anatomy may need to be checked. It is valuable to take several photos from various angles so that these anatomical details can be seen. Many insects are have particular plants that they feed on, and they can be identified more easily when the associated plant is known. So if the insect is resting or feeding on a plant, take note of what the plant is or ensure that a photo shows the plant clearly.

5477 species

Syneora lithina (Stoney Barkmoth)

Syneora lithina
Syneora lithina
Syneora lithina

Syneora strixata (Long-winged Bark Moth)

Syneora strixata
Syneora strixata
Syneora strixata

Synthemis eustalacta (Swamp Tigertail)

Synthemis eustalacta
Synthemis eustalacta

Syntonarcha vulnerata (A Crambid Moth)

Syringoseca mimica (A Concealer moth (Wingia Group))

Syringoseca mimica
Syringoseca mimica
Syringoseca mimica

Syringoseca rhodoxantha (A concealer moth)

Syringoseca rhodoxantha
Syringoseca rhodoxantha
Syringoseca rhodoxantha

Syrphidae (family) (Unidentified Hover fly)

Syrphidae (family)
Syrphidae (family)
Syrphidae (family)

Syrphini sp. (tribe) (Unidentified syrphine hover fly)

Syrphini sp. (tribe)
Syrphini sp. (tribe)
Syrphini sp. (tribe)

Tabanidae (family) (Unidentified march or horse fly)

Tabanidae (family)
Tabanidae (family)
Tabanidae (family)

Tabanomorpha sp. (Parvorder) (Snipe Flies and allies)

Tabanomorpha sp. (Parvorder)
Tabanomorpha sp. (Parvorder)
Tabanomorpha sp. (Parvorder)

Tachinidae (family) (Unidentified Bristle fly)

Tachinidae (family)
Tachinidae (family)
Tachinidae (family)

Tachyporinae (subfamily) (Crab-like Rove Beetle)

Tachyporinae (subfamily)
Tachyporinae (subfamily)
Tachyporinae (subfamily)

Tachysphex sp. (genus) (Unidentified Tachysphex sand wasp)

Tachysphex sp. (genus)
Tachysphex sp. (genus)
Tachysphex sp. (genus)

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Conservation level

  • Local native (change?)
    * designates formal legal status

Invasiveness

  • All invasiveness levels (change?)

Insects

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2,163,009 sightings of 20,526 species in 6,675 locations from 11,840 contributors
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