Northern Corn Rootworm belongs to which order?

Northern Corn Rootworm belongs to which order?

• A. Coleoptera
• B. Diptera
• C. Hemiptera
• D. Lepidoptera

Answer: (A)

Insect orders are distinguished by key traits, and the Northern Corn Rootworm is a beetle, which places it in Coleoptera. Beetles have hardened forewings called elytra that cover and protect their hind wings and abdomen when not flying. This feature sets them apart from the other options: Diptera are the flies with a single pair of wings and small balancing organs; Hemiptera are true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts and forewings that are not full elytra; Lepidoptera are butterflies and moths with scaled wings. Because the rootworm exhibits the defining beetle trait of elytra, it belongs to Coleoptera.

Insect orders are distinguished by key traits, and the Northern Corn Rootworm is a beetle, which places it in Coleoptera. Beetles have hardened forewings called elytra that cover and protect their hind wings and abdomen when not flying. This feature sets them apart from the other options: Diptera are the flies with a single pair of wings and small balancing organs; Hemiptera are true bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts and forewings that are not full elytra; Lepidoptera are butterflies and moths with scaled wings. Because the rootworm exhibits the defining beetle trait of elytra, it belongs to Coleoptera.