Paraneoptera
Template:New unreviewed article
Paraneoptera is
Paraneoptera
1. a taxonomic subdivision, within division Neoptera - the lice
• The group Paraneoptera consists of 4 insect orders, the bark lice, true lice, thrips and hemipterans. The Paraneoptera is monophyletic.
• The mouthparts of the Paraneoptera reflect the diverse feeding habits. Basal groups are microbial surface feeders, whereas more advanced groups feed on plant or animal fluids.
Bark lice
• Classification. 4,400 described species arranged into 3 suborders (Trogiomorpha, Troctomorpha and Psocomorph) with 50 families and over 200 genera. First insect order to show the beginnings of a transition to sucking mouthparts. Sister group to the Phthiraptera.
• Structure. Lacinia of the maxilla is modified from the dentate form in orthopteroids into an elongate rod-like structure, proximately sunken well into the head capsule. The hind coxa of most psocopterans has a Pearman’s organ with an adjacent tympanum that is suppose to be stridulatory. Postclypeus on the face is budging as are the eyes.
• Natural history. Psocopterans are found on foliage or branches of trees and shrubs or under back or leaf-litter. Most species are micobial surface feeders, some species feed on dead insects and a few species eat paper products (booklice). Many species live gregariously similar to webspinners and zorapterans. Mating behavior can be elaborate with the male of at least one species standing on its head.
Phthiraptera
• Classification. 5000 described species divided into 4 suborders. The Amblycera (chewing lice) is the most basal group and parasitize birds and mammals. The Ischnocera (chewing lice) is the largest suborder and parasitize mostly birds and some groups of mammals. The Rhynchophthirina (elephant lice) consists of only 3 species that parasites elephants and wild pigs in Africa. The Anoplura (sucking lice) parasitize only mammals.
• Structure. Body is dorso-ventrally flattened and well sclerotized. Wings absent. Eyes absent or nearly so, antennae reduced to 3-5 segments. Legs strong with well-developed tarsi for holding onto fur or feathers of host. Amblycera have chewing mouthparts with lacinia modified as in Psocoptera. Anoplura have true sucking mouthparts with stylets.
• Natural history. All species of lice are parasitic on all orders of birds and most orders of mammals (monotremes, edentates can cetaceans are not attacked). Chewing lice feed on feathers, hair and skin surface detritus, whereas sucking lice feed exclusively on blood. Most species of lice are host specific, with the sucking lice being more host specific than chewing lice. There is strong evidence for host-parasite coevolution in some groups. Because lice are wingless transfer between hosts usually involves direct contact during mating, brooding and nursing of young, sharing of communal nest sites or even during predator-prey interactions. Lice have the fewest number of life stages of any insect (egg, 3 larval instars, adult).
Thysanoptera
• Classification. 5500 species classified into two suborders distinguished by the ovipositor. Terebrantia have a well- developed conical ovipositor, while the Tubilifera do not have a well-developed ovipositor. Instead the abdomen is drawn out in the shape of a tube.
• Structure. The mouth is in the form of an asymmetrical “mouth cone”, consisting of a piercing left mandibular stylet (right mandible lost) and lacinial stylets. Thrips have unique eversible bladders on their tarsi that provide adhesion to the substrate. Wings, when present, are linear with long marginal setae that look like fringe (hence the name of the order). Polymorphism in wings and body form is common in the order. Males in some species are distinctly dimorphic. Wingless males have enlarged heads that they use in competition for females, whereas winged males lack enlarged heads and disperse in search of females.
• Natural history. Thrips are commonly found on and in flowers. Most species are phytophagous, feeding on flowers. Some species feed on fungi and a few species are predaceous. Development in thrips is unique. In the Terebrantia the egg stage is followed by 2 larval instars, 1 “prepupal” instar, a “pupal” instar and the adult stage. The prepupal and pupal stages are quiescent and have rudimentary wings. In the Tubilefera there are two “prepupal” instars and one “pupal” instar. Wing rudiments are not present in the first “prepupal” stage. Social behavior ranges from solitary to eusocial with reproductive division of labor.
References
http://66.102.9.132/search?q=cache:D4SZNXRwZskJ:courses.biology.utah.edu/feener/5445/Bio5445%2520Lecture%252007.pdf+Paraneoptera&cd=28&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Paraneoptera http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect