1. Does the insect have wings? a. Yes………………………………………………………………………… go to step 2 b. No…………………………………………………………………………. Order Hemiptera 2. Does the insect have parallel wings? (hint: Parallel wings don’t stick out to the side) a. Yes……………………………………………………………………………… go to step 3 b. No………………………………………………………………………………. go to step 4 3. Does the insect have a parallel line down the back that divides the wings? a. Yes…………………………………………………………………………… Order Coleoptera b. No …………………………………………………………………………… Order Orthoptera 4. Does the insect have 4 total wings? a. Yes………………………………………………………………………………… go to step 5 b. No………………………………………………………………………………… Order Diptera 5. Does the insect have long antennae? a. Yes………………………………………………………………………………go to step 6 b. No……………………………………………………………………………… Order Odonata 6. Does the insect have a small body with large fan –shaped wings? a. Yes…………………………………………………………………………… Order Lepidoptera b. No………………………………………………………………………………Ord er Hymenoptera

Complete question: You will find the image in the attached files

Based on the dichotomous key below, what order does this insect belong to?

1. Does the insect have wings?  

a. Yes………………………………………………………………………… go to step 2

b. No…………………………………………………………………………. Order Hemiptera

2. Does the insect have parallel wings? (hint: Parallel wings don’t stick out to the side)

a. Yes……………………………………………………………………………… go to step 3

b. No………………………………………………………………………………. go to step 4

3. Does the insect have a parallel line down the back that divides the wings?

a. Yes…………………………………………………………………………… Order Coleoptera

b. No …………………………………………………………………………… Order Orthoptera

4. Does the insect have 4 total wings?

a. Yes………………………………………………………………………………… go to step 5

b. No………………………………………………………………………………… Order Diptera

5. Does the insect have long antennae?

a. Yes………………………………………………………………………………go to step 6

b. No……………………………………………………………………………… Order Odonata

6. Does the insect have a small body with large fan –shaped wings?

a. Yes…………………………………………………………………………… Order Lepidoptera

b. No………………………………………………………………………………Order Hymenoptera

ORDER ODONATA

Explanation:

It is simple to read a dichotomous key. You only need to understand the technical terminology and to detailed observe your specimen. The key will lead you to the answer.

1. Does the insect have wings?

a. Yes………………………………………………………………………… go to step 2

b. No…………………………………………………………………………. Order Hemiptera

We only need to answer this question by looking at the image. In our example, yes, the insect has wings. So we need to go to question number two. Note: In the hypothetical case that the insect would not have wings, it would belong to the Hemiptera order.

2. Does the insect have parallel wings? (hint: Parallel wings don’t stick out to the side)

a. Yes……………………………………………………………………………… go to step 3

b. No………………………………………………………………………………. go to step 4

Ok, here it tells you that parallel wings do not stick out to the side. But in our example, wings do stick out, so the answer should be NO. This species does not have parallel wings. As it is a NO, we go to question number 4.

Note: In the hypothetical case that the insect would have parallel wings, we should read number 3.

4. Does the insect have 4 total wings?

a. Yes………………………………………………………………………………… go to step 5

b. No………………………………………………………………………………… Order Diptera

This one is easy. How many wings our specimen has? Four. Then it is a YES, and we go to question number 5. Note: In the hypothetical case that the insect would not have 4 wings, it would belong to the Diptera group.

5. Does the insect have long antennae?

a. Yes………………………………………………………………………………go to step 6

b. No……………………………………………………………………………… Order Odonata

Our insect has very short antennae. They are not long at all. So, the answer is NO, the insect does not have long antennae. This answer leads us directly to the order of our individual. ORDER ODONATA. Note: In the hypothetical case that the insect would have long antennae, we should read question number 6. And so on until we would reach the order.  

ORDER ODONATA:

Dragonflies belong to this group. These insects characterize as having big eyes, and the separation between them depends on the species. They have an elongated abdomen, sometimes even longer than the wings. Their bodies must be robust to support the massive musculature that propels the wings during flight. The wings are long, big, and wide.

Usually, the males are much more colored than the females are.