Neopterans facts for kids

Neoptera is a very large group of insects that includes almost all the insects with wings. The most special thing about Neoptera is that they can fold their wings flat over their abdomen (the back part of their body) when they are resting. This is a big advantage because it helps them fit into small spaces and protects their wings from damage.

This ability to fold wings is what makes Neoptera different from some older, more basic groups of winged insects. These older groups, like the Palaeoptera, cannot fold their wings in the same way. Their wings usually stick out to the sides or straight up.

What Makes Neoptera Special?

The word "Neoptera" means "new wings." This name was given to them because of their advanced wing-folding ability. This feature helped them become very successful and diverse.

• Wing Folding: Imagine an airplane that could fold its wings when it landed! That's similar to what Neoptera insects do. They have special joints and muscles that let them bend their wings backward and flat against their body.
• Protection: Folding their wings keeps them safe from getting broken or torn when the insect is crawling through tight spots, hiding under leaves, or resting.
• Efficiency: It also makes them more streamlined, which can help them move around more easily on the ground or in plants.

Neoptera vs. Palaeoptera

To understand Neoptera better, it helps to compare them with their ancient relatives, the Palaeoptera.

Palaeoptera: Ancient Wings

The word "Palaeoptera" means "ancient wings." These insects are some of the oldest winged insects on Earth.

• No Wing Folding: Palaeoptera insects, like dragonflies and mayflies, cannot fold their wings flat over their bodies. Their wings are usually held out to the sides or straight up, even when they are not flying.
• Examples:
  • Odonata: This group includes dragonflies and damselflies. You've probably seen them with their wings spread wide open, even when they're resting.
  • Ephemeroptera: Mayflies are another ancient group. They also hold their wings upright and cannot fold them.
• Extinct Groups: There were also many extinct Palaeoptera groups, like the Palaeodictyoptera, which were very large insects with wings that couldn't fold.

Neoptera: Modern Wings

Neoptera, with their "new wings," are the more advanced group.

• Wing Folding Ability: This is their defining feature. Almost all winged insects you see today, from beetles to butterflies and flies, are Neoptera.
• Diversity: Because they could fold their wings, Neoptera were able to explore many new environments and ways of life. This led to an incredible variety of species we see today.

Examples of Neoptera Insects

The Neoptera group is huge! It includes almost all the insects you know. Here are just a few examples:

• Beetles: They have hard front wings (elytra) that protect their delicate flying wings underneath. They fold their flying wings neatly under the elytra.
• Butterflies and Moths: They fold their wings together over their backs when resting.
• Grasshoppers and Crickets: They fold their wings flat along their bodies.
• Flies: They fold their single pair of wings flat over their backs.
• Ants and Bees: Even though many ants are wingless, the winged ants and all bees belong to Neoptera.

Why is Wing Folding Important?

The ability to fold wings was a huge step in insect evolution. It allowed insects to:

• Live in More Places: They could hide in cracks, under bark, or burrow into soil more easily without damaging their wings.
• Escape Predators: Being able to quickly tuck their wings away made it easier to hide or squeeze into tight spots to escape danger.
• Develop New Behaviors: This feature opened up possibilities for new ways of hunting, mating, and living.

In summary, Neoptera insects are the champions of wing folding, and this special ability helped them become the most successful and diverse group of insects on our planet!