Wings well developed…………..
N.B. Front wings may be developed as ‘shields’ which cover the flight wings when these are not in use.
Wings lacking…….
Wings small, with hairy fringes. Small animals, less than 2 mm Thrips.
All the wings transparent, possibly with a few hairs
Front pair of wings not transparent
With a single pair of transparent wings flies.
With 2 pairs of transparent wings
Front pair of wings larger than back pair wasps, bees, chalcids, ichneumons, ‘flying ants’,
Wings all about the same size, transparent or smoke-coloured winged termites.
Wings all about the same size, greenish lacewings.
Wings densely covered with scales, which are easily rubbed off butterflies and moths
Front pair of wings as shields which are parchment-like, leathery or hard
Front wings short, covering only front part of abdomen
Front wings covering whole of abdomen, or nearly so
Abdomen in a pair of forceps earwigs.
Abdomen not ending in forceps staphylinid beetles
Front part of front wings leathery, rear part clear and transparent true bugs
Front wings (tegmina) leathery with distinct veins. Antennae long, whip-like cockroaches or crickets
Front wings (elytra) forming hard shields, without distinct veins. Antennae normally short, never whip-like beetles
Elongated, worm-like certain insect larvae
Elongated or plump, with dense hairs certain insect larvae
Not worm-like, and without hairs
With three long segmented ‘tails at hind end silverfish
With a ‘wasp waist’ ants
Without long ‘tails’ and without a ‘wasp waist’
Large animals, i.e. the adults are larger than an ordinary black garden ant
About the size of a black ant, but pale termites
Smaller than an ordinary black ant
With biting mouthparts, and very long whip-like antennae cockroaches
With sucking proboscis, folded in beneath head
Body outline almost circular bed bugs.
Body outline oval, always covered with dust fly bug (nymphs)
Dark, shiny, hard (almost impossible to squash)
Pale and soft (easily squashed)
Sluggish, living as parasites on man and animals lice.
Active, free-living
With a forked springing organ at rear end springtails.
Without a springing organ booklice.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)