It’s essential to know the names of insects in English, especially for easy reference during conversations. Explore various types and names of insects, with sections dedicated to “insects names” “list of insects,” and “common insect names with pictures”
Contents
Insects Names
Insects are a diverse and abundant group of invertebrates that play important roles in ecosystems around the world. Common insects include beetles, butterflies and moths, bees and wasps, flies, and grasshoppers and crickets.
Common Names of Insects
- Moth
- Bee
- Butterfly
- Ladybird (BrE) – ladybug (NAmE)
- Ant
- Dragonfly
- Fly
- Mosquito
- Grasshopper
- Beetle
- Cockroach
- Centipede
- Worm
- Louse
Insects Names with Pictures
Moth
A moth is an insect with wings that is related to the butterfly. It is usually active at night and is attracted to light.
- Example: I saw a beautiful moth fluttering around the porch light last night.
Bee
Bees are flying insects that are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. They are important to the ecosystem and play a vital role in agriculture.
- Example: The garden was buzzing with activity as the bees flew from flower to flower collecting nectar.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a flying insect with large, often brightly colored wings. They are known for their graceful flight and are often associated with beauty and transformation.
- Example: The children were delighted to see a colorful butterfly land on the flowers in the garden.
Ladybird (BrE) – ladybug (AmE)
A ladybird, also known as a ladybug, is a small, brightly colored beetle with black spots. They are beneficial to gardens and crops because they eat harmful pests like aphids.
- Example: The children were excited to find a red and black ladybird crawling on the leaves of the rosebush.
Ant
An ant is a small, social insect that lives in colonies or nests. They are known for their hard work and cooperation, and can carry many times their own weight.
- Example: The picnic was ruined when a swarm of ants found their way to the food.
Dragonfly
A dragonfly is a flying insect with a long, slender body and two pairs of wings. They are known for their ability to fly quickly and gracefully, and are often found near bodies of water.
- Example: The shimmering wings of the blue dragonfly caught my eye as it darted over the surface of the pond.
Fly
A fly is a common insect with two wings and large compound eyes. They are known for their ability to move quickly and can be found in many different environments.
- Example: I tried to swat the annoying fly that kept buzzing around my head.
Mosquito
A mosquito is a small, flying insect that feeds on the blood of humans and animals. They are known for their itchy bites and can transmit diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
- Example: I had trouble sleeping because of the constant buzzing of the mosquitoes in my room.
Grasshopper
A grasshopper is a jumping insect with long hind legs and wings. They are known for their ability to leap long distances and can be found in grassy areas and fields.
- Example: The children giggled as they watched the green grasshopper hop from blade of grass to blade of grass.
Beetle
A beetle is a type of insect with a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton. They have two pairs of wings, with the front pair modified into hardened wing covers.
- Example: The shiny green beetle crawled slowly across the leaf, its wings folded neatly against its body.
Cockroach
A cockroach is a large, brown insect with a flat body and long antennae. They are known for their ability to survive in many different environments and can be found in homes, restaurants, and other buildings.
- Example: I screamed when I saw a cockroach scurrying across the kitchen floor.
Centipede
A centipede is a long, many-legged arthropod that can be found in soil and leaf litter. They have a pair of venomous claws that they use to capture prey.
- Example: The children were fascinated by the long, wiggly body of the brown centipede they found under the log.
List of Insects
- Ant
- Aphid
- Bee
- Beetle
- Butterfly
- Caterpillar
- Cicada
- Cockroach
- Cricket
- Damselfly
- Dragonfly
- Earwig
- Firefly
- Flea
- Fly
- Grasshopper
- Hornet
- Housefly
- Katydid
- Ladybug (Ladybird)
- Leafhopper
- Locust
- Louse
- Mantis (Praying Mantis)
- Midge
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Termite
- Thrip
- Wasp
- Weevil
Are Insects Animals?
Are insects animals? Insects are the largest group of animals on earth by far. They have many legs; and most have wings. Insects were the first animals capable of flight. As they develop from eggs, they undergo metamorphosis.
Types of Insects:
Insects can be divided into two groups:
- Flying Insects : bee, wasp, fly, dragonfly, moth, butterfly, mosquito, grasshopper…
- Crawling Insects : caterpillar, cockroach, spider, louse, ant, worm…
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