Insectframes

Entomological terms

Here is a brief collection of terms that are commonly used in the realm of entomology followed by examples of the Insect taxonomy found within this website:

Recto
When a winged insect is mounted with its wings spread open, the front or top view is referred to the as the "recto" view.

Verso
When a winged insect is mounted with its wings spread open, the back or underside view is referred to the as the "verso" view

Elytra
The hardened outer wings for protective purposes found on beetles and some other insects.

Riker Mount
A cardboard display in which specimens are pressed flat between a glass front a fiber-fill backing. (We do not offer or recommend these types of mounts)

Chitin
A hard substance forming the exoskeleton of arthropods

Demystifying the Species We Offer:

The insect Class Insecta is part of the Arthropoda phylum. Other non-insect Classes of Arthropods include: Arachnida (spiders and scorpions), Chilopoda (centipedes) and various Crustaceans.

Insecta are partially distinguished from other arthropods by the following combination of characteristics:  6 legs, 3 body segments and a pair of antennae. The three primary body parts of an insect are the head, thorax and abdomen. Insecta are further narrowed into Subclasses (such as Pterygota) and still further into Infraclasses (such as Neoptera).

Scientists often differentiate insects from each other through the wings, mouthparts and legs. Narrowing further yet we come to the classification of Orders. Insectframes.com does not frame all Orders of Insecta. We typically stay with varieties from the following orders:

Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies)  http://www.insectframes.com/Details/Papilio_ulysses.htm

Orthoptera (grasshoppers) http://www.insectframes.com/Details/Lophacris_cristata.htm

Phasmatodea (walking sticks) http://www.insectframes.com/Details/Phaenopharos_struthioneus-F.htm

Hemiptera or true bugs (cicadas) http://www.insectframes.com/Details/Salvazana_imperialis.htm

Neuroptera (ant lions) http://www.insectframes.com/Details/Nemoptera_sinuata.htm

Coleoptera (beetles) http://www.insectframes.com/Details/Acrocinus_longimanus.htm

Hymenoptera (wasps) http://www.insectframes.com/Details/Megascolia_procer.htm

and finally a "living fossil" branch distant from all the others here:
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies) http://www.insectframes.com/Details/Neurobasis_chinensis.htm

More detailed insect terms are found at this link:  http://insectclass.ifas.ufl.edu/glossary_terms.htm