Science

Stunning Photographs of the World’s Most Dominant Species

Insects, however small, are more powerful than you may think. According to the Smithsonian, insects represent about 80 percent of the world’s species — 900 thousand different kinds of living insects are known. That’s just the number of scientifically named species. Smithsonian says a conservative estimate is 2 million different kinds of insect species, though some estimates get as high as 30 million.

At any given time, it is estimated that there are 10 quintillion insects alive.

Insects are the only invertebrate that learned how to fly. And as Wired reports, wings are what have allowed them to achieve total world domination — whether you see them in their proclaimed masses or not:

Their wings can be protective shells, musical instruments (grasshoppers), camouflage, signals to recognize each other, a means of attracting mates or warning predators, even tools to fly.

Insects are our greatest competitor for food. They also keep the earth clean and productive. These ecosystem workhorses could easily manage without us, but we could never manage without them.

In celebration of these chitin-made wonders, we’ve collected images to take you on a tour of the insect wing world.

Insect Wings Have Allowed Them World Wide Success

(Jean-Christophe/Flickr via Wired)

Oh that’s not stained glass above. This is insect wing venation. Venation among insects varies greatly and often helps entomologists identify one species from another.

Insect Wings Have Allowed Them World Wide Success

(Photo: Eric Beaulieu/Flickr via Wired)

Folded wings are kind of a big deal. Insects with folding wings allow insects to fly into tighter more crowded spaces, compared to non-folding wings, like those of a Dragonfly, which could get damaged. “Without that ability, flying is kind of awkward, like a fixed-wing aircraft,” Dave Kavanaugh, curator of the insect collection at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, said to Wired.

Insect Wings Have Allowed Them World Wide Success

(Photo: postbear/Flickr)

One of these things is not like the other . . . but can you tell. Insects have adapted their wings and bodies to blend in. Think the stick bug or leaf bug (pictured above).

Insect Wings Have Allowed Them World Wide Success

(Photo: nutmeg66/Flickr via Wired)

Have you ever considered the fact that the outer shell on the back of a ladybug or other beetles are actually a hardened set of wings protecting more traditional-looking flight wings underneath? “They have the ability to fly when they need to. But they can invade soil and leaf litter, they can dig right into rotting fruit and eat, and they can dig into carcasses to help recycle them. Beetles have the best of both worlds,” Kavanaugh said to Wired.

And that’s your entomology for the day. View more photos on Wired.

Comments (65)

1 2
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:52pm

    Oh…those are insects…I thought they were obama voters…and I was insulted the blaze called them dominant. I get it now. One of those green guys kind ‘a looked obama-ish.

    Report Post »  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:49pm

    It must be a slow day at the Blaze!

    Report Post » gmoneytx  
  • OccamsGun
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 1:09pm

    @ Caunotaucarius. You are correct that ‘insects’ are not a species, but instead a class, but since species is both the singular and the plural form of the word the headline is correct as is. That is, the article is about the collections of species (plural) that are dominant.

    I will also point out that insects are ‘bugs’ as the word is commonly used. A reference to the “True Bugs”, a suborder of Heteroptera, is usually distinguished from the general bug by prepending the “True” to the name.

    Report Post »  
  • Whyismynamealwaystaken
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 12:56pm

    I thought grasshoppers used their legs to make music not wings? Damn those Detroit public schools!

    Report Post » Whyismynamealwaystaken  
  • GBminion
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 12:48pm

    wtf is this national geographic now?

    Report Post »  
    • CulperGang
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 8:42pm

      It is SUNSHINE in the abyss of Obamaworld. If you don’t think this is awsome and a wonder to behold…then I urge you to stop your world and just look at it for one minute …………..then you will get it. You are looking at pure “organic art.“ You are looking at the ”thoughts” of the Intelligent Designer of the Universe……aka GOD. ELOHIM. My God, my awsome God.

      Report Post » CulperGang  
    • drought1800
      Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:26am

      sometimes even the folks at glen beck world can lighten up other ways than instead of actin like steve martins on the radio ha ha ha

      Report Post »  
  • shirtsbyeric
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 11:56am

    At any given time, it is estimated that there are 10 quintillion insects alive.

    Is there some way we can tax them?

    Report Post »  
    • GLOBAL_TEA_PARTY
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 12:35pm

      Hehe! Call the libs

      Report Post » GLOBAL_TEA_PARTY  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 1:00pm

      they wont tax the insects, they wil tax us for the insects instead.

      Report Post »  
    • Denver Tom
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 3:19pm

      wouldn’t 10 quintillion insects be releasing a heck of a lot of Carbon Dioxide? Maybe they are warming the planet!

      Report Post »  
  • aquablue
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:25am

    Great article. Awesome pictures. Interesting.
    A break from a world gone mad. Lol.

    Report Post » aquablue  
  • DanWesson455
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:08am

    Dominate Species? It is man. give me a nuke and I’ll show all those insects, except cockroaches, who is the boss.

    Report Post » DanWesson455  
    • palmettopalflorida
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:41am

      The “boss” of insects? You seem to suggest that you know of a way for mankind to survive a nuclear blast? Don’t be shy, do tell us all. Or, are you simply an angry cockroach spreading disinformation?

      Report Post »  
    • wordweaver
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 11:14am

      Another example of a poorly written headline. Insects are a “class” of organism represented by millions of species, as the article points out. The headline leads you to believe it will be about a single dominant species. Which leads to the choice of the word “dominant” in the headline. While the class of insects are very successful, their numbers are kept in check by higher level consumers in the food chain. By any measure, I don’t think you can claim that the insects are dominating the world.

      Report Post » wordweaver  
  • ilovethiscountry
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 9:52am

    I like stories like this. They are a good change of pace. They make you stop and consider how wonderful God is.

    Report Post »  
    • john mateyko
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:29am

      Great point.

      Report Post » john mateyko  
    • woodyl1011fl
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 11:11am

      Makes one realize our awesome our Creator God is, such beauty and functionality in our fallen world. A world sinking into madness and for us in the USA Washington at least the senate and WH are certifiable pools of insanity. Was a good respite from the fools in DC.

      Report Post »  
    • HD Veteran
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 11:20am

      john mateyko: Good point on saying good point.

      Report Post » HD Veteran  
    • goaly33
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 7:06pm

      no offense to anyone, but i for one believe in darwins evolution theory, and think that the way these creatures have evolved is amazing, and the way they have adapted to a world with humans is even more astonishing. but, yes, i agree, that this world is falling into chaos, lol maybe the bugs should take ove our economies, they might actually run the place better.

      Report Post »  
  • sharone
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 9:25am

    perfect…

    Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 9:48am

      nice, thanks for the reprieve from the chaos of our daily world

      Report Post »  
  • star7mj
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 9:22am

    I love this cool stuff! The pictures are very pretty and it’s nice having a break from the depressing news. Life is variety and Gods creations are awesome! God Bless America and I stand with Israel ♥

    Report Post » star7mj  
  • lmy6545
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 8:59am

    pretty

    Report Post »  
    • WhiteFang
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 5:24pm

      LMY6545,
      Thank you for your posts.
      I got to thinking of Ecclesiastes 3:14 which says; I have come to know that everything that the [true] God makes, it will prove to be to time indefinite. To it there is nothing to add and from it there is nothing to subtract; but the [true] God himself has made it

      For everyone considering that evolution is to get the credit, I ask:
      Could the insects have created and designed their wings by themselves?
      Could we have created and designed anything on or in our bodies?

      Report Post » WhiteFang  
    • goaly33
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 7:12pm

      whitefang, i am one of those people, and the way these creatures have adapted, is that over millions of years, the bugs’ brains “subconsciously” realize that they need to change the next generations genetic makeups to create an organism better adapted to its environment. call it a “long term genetic mutation” such as for example, a short term genetic mutation caused by a chemical in the animals’ environment, like the frog with two heads, etc. in other words, think of evolution as a LASTING genetic reaction with the world around the animal.

      Report Post »  
    • goaly33
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 7:19pm

      and to answer your second question, think about how in the indes mountains in south america, people have settled there even though there, the air is thin and somehow the people have, though without their knowing, adapted to suit their new environment. so, in a nutshell, yes, we can change anything on or in our bodies, though without our knowledge. it doesnt happen overnight, however, it happens over many generations.

      Report Post »  
    • Bearfoot
      Posted on September 8, 2011 at 11:58am

      Goaly,

      People and animals can and do change to adapt to their environment. For instance, a man can adjust to a cold climate and becomes tolerant of freezing temperatures. If he moves back to a hot climate, in a year or so, he gets use to that. Animals do the same.
      But the THEORY of evolution, of changing the man into a polar bear to cope with the cold is nonsense. And you know it.
      All of mankind and all the different species of animals remain in their species. And Everybody knows it.

      Report Post » Bearfoot  
  • blindpig
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 7:55am

    Nitpicking @$$’s! Who cares if insect is a class or species and who cares how many species of grasshoppers there are? Most of all, who cares how smart you think you are. This is a light-hearted piece that was meant to show that bugs can be pretty and to tell you that there are more of them than dollars in an Obama stimulus package. Lighten up!

    Report Post » blindpig  
  • wheeler44
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 7:33am

    I like it. There is more to life than politics.

    Report Post »  
    • closetotheedge
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 9:12am

      Yes indeed,The absolute beauty of creation,the balance of it all. That all things exist for one another to survive and keep it all in check. While we take and take we’re the plague and cancer it seems that thinks it all revolves around man,trying to be the creater. And we have also slowly come to protect it. Silly human race.. Shalom

      Report Post »  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 4:11pm

      Hey close to the edge you‘re more than welcome to check out right now No one’s stopping.
      Silly Hypocrit much like those wealthy liberals who think the rich should pay more taxes but then use every loophole to cut their tax every year.
      And keep all their cash when they could easiloy just give it to the government if they think it’s sooo right.

      Report Post »  
  • Mandors
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 6:50am

    Insects are not a “species.” Just another example of how ignorant the media is about science.

    Report Post » Mandors  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 8:02am

      Insect is the correct nomenclature to encompass all the spieces within the life form class. To name them all would take a forever.

      Report Post »  
  • outsidethebox
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 4:43am

    Now stuff like this is news, not some stupid politicians nit-picking at each other all the time.

    Report Post » outsidethebox  
  • Caunotaucarius
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 1:05am

    Just to clarify, Insects are not “bugs” there is actually a group of insects that are bugs, so all bugs are insects not all insects are bugs. Secondly Insects are not the dominant species, Insect is not a species at all, a grasshopper is a species of insect. Insect is a Class, not a species, The group insect contains all species of insects. It just sounds silly reading this article, when the correct terms aren’t applied, plus Beck is always talking about education right? If you guys need help with this sort of article, let me know, I’d be willing to be a consult. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Aquatics and Fisheries, which is like a bachelor’s in biology and ecology but with a special focus on aquatic plants, fish, insects and other invertebrates. My specific research is in fish parasites. I am also a current graduate student and Teaching Assistant, teaching Aquatic Entomology (Water dwelling insects). I am also well versed in physics and chemistry. Just saying, more than willing to edit articles like this before they get published, and I do understand it is meant for the general public not scientists, but education is always a good thing.

    Report Post » Caunotaucarius  
    • HellAndBack
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 1:56am

      WOW!!! way to handf out a Resume in the Hidden Job Market!! LOL

      Report Post » HellAndBack  
    • Uranium Wedge
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 2:38am

      Just to clarify… This is boring.

      Report Post » Uranium Wedge  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 6:04am

      Thanks for the entimology lesson. I knew most of it, but hadn’t really thought about it. And yes, informed is better. I don’t mind spelling errors, because the Blaze doesn’t have a spell check, but facts wrong is misleading, even in an innocent article like this.

      Report Post »  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 6:14am

      @Caun… Even your over-educated attempt to sound … well … over-educated, is wrong. Grasshopper is not a species. There are a bunch of species of grasshopper. The article was not … I say again … NOT, a science article in the scientific scense. It was simply an article on the beauty of Bug/Insect/Creepy-Crawly Things wings. A mind is a terrible thing to waste, kinda like yours when applied as you showed yours. Regarding the wings, ain‘t the diversity of God’s work Grand!

      Report Post » Sheepdog911  
    • bread and circuses
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 7:41am

      @CAUNO

      Why do I get the feeling that you are one of those leeches that suck off the American ppl with your basically worthless government grants.
      I am willing to bet that you voted for every lunatic socialist, including the current TOTUS

      Report Post »  
    • OUTRIDER WRITER
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 8:40am

      @CAUN***
      You need to know that if you are in Florida and you hear someone refer to a bug, the only bug they are referring to is the cockroach. The higher the voice pitch, the larger the bug. Just to clarify.

      Report Post »  
  • mrbuff1959
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 1:01am

    Thanks that was a welcome break from zombe,libs.

    Report Post » mrbuff1959  
    • SLARTIBARTFAST
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 8:51am

      Amen to that! The real world WE live in is stressful enough, but add to it that we are far more “awake” to what the actual realities are, and sometimes it seems we’re in a pressure cooker. Besides all that, I can tell my kid what “venation” is rather than the meaning of “Eurozone”. Thanks Blaze!

      Report Post » SLARTIBARTFAST  
  • READRIGHTHERE
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 12:54am

    Everything here is applicable to today’s politics. For instance, when I think of insects I think of the word bug, which reminds me that liberals bug me. When I think of bugs I think of parasites, the kind that suck the life out of the host in exchange for their own survival, kind of like a growing portion of our citizens who are clamoring for more government spending without any concern for my children and grandchildren who, if things do not change fast, will be left destitute in a bankrupt nation so desparate for their own survival that they will be forced to surrender freedom for bread. And the wings on these beautiful creatures remind me that we have the power to take flight once we shed our selves of dead weight. Thanks for the article Blaze. I never metaphor I didn’t like.

    Or… its a nice diversionary type story that instills a little wonder at the beauty of life.

    Report Post »  
    • jackbauer
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 6:02am

      Your post reminded me that we need to make up a batch of tea flavored bug spray.

      Report Post » jackbauer  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 8:12am

      Actually, those thoughts are called God Breezes, when God speaks to you on one subject, using another.

      Report Post »  
  • NuffSaid
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 12:36am

    10 quintillion bugs huh? I really wish Blaze would not throw around words like “quintillion.“ Obama staffers might get ”stimulated.”

    Report Post »  
  • Chuck Stein
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 11:51pm

    Ummm . . . insects “learned how to fly”? Not “evolved to acquire flight”? Or “were made by their Creator to fly”? Well, you learn something every day (sort of like insects, apparently).

    Report Post »  
    • jamessick
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 11:20am

      That was my first thought when I read this. It should say the only invertebrate DESIGNED to fly. Looking at the venation, it is obvious to me that it could never evolve. It is too complicated and dependent on other things evolving simultaneously to ever have just happened. Even the human eye alone is more complicated than a Boeing 747.

      Report Post »  
  • SICK TWISTED Charleston FREAK
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 11:48pm

    Cool, thanks.

    Report Post » SICK TWISTED Charleston FREAK  
    • truthseekerusa
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 4:01pm

      Going to share this with the kids in my family. What a fun way to show them nature. Thanks to whoever decided to put this on the Blaze.

      Report Post »  
  • Steverino
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 11:45pm

    Insects are FASCINATING little life forms. Years ago, I read somewhere (unverified, however) that the weight of ants on the planet exceeds that of humans. I wouldn’t doubt it.
    Steve

    Report Post »  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 11:42pm

    It’s a BUGGED WORLD!

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • macpappy
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 11:39pm

    OK, I don’t get this one. Did I go to the Decovery site by accident?

    Report Post » macpappy  
    • Steverino
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 11:46pm

      A wide range of cool stuff here, Mac!

      Report Post »  
    • macpappy
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 11:55pm

      @ stevorino
      Yeah, I get that ok, but that’s not what i come here for. Political news, opinionated like minded folks, and to kick the occasional troll around.
      I guess I’ll just have to put up with the other cool stuff.

      Report Post » macpappy  
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