neopteran

Neopteran is a superorder of insects that comprises almost all living winged insects. The defining characteristic of Neoptera is the ability to fold their wings back over their abdomen, a feature absent in the more primitive Palaeoptera. This ability is achieved through a complex articulation at the base of the wings, allowing for flexibility and protection. Neopterans represent a highly successful evolutionary lineage, diversifying into a vast array of forms and occupying nearly every terrestrial and freshwater habitat on Earth.

The superorder Neoptera is divided into two main infraclasses: Polyneoptera and Eumetabola. Polyneoptera includes insects like cockroaches, mantises, stick insects, grasshoppers, crickets, and termites. These groups generally undergo incomplete metamorphosis, where young nymphs resemble smaller versions of the adults and molt several times before reaching maturity. Eumetabola, on the other hand, encompasses insects that undergo complete metamorphosis, a process called holometabolism. This infraclass includes major insect orders such as beetles, flies, butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, and ants. Holometabolous insects pass through distinct larval and pupal stages before emerging as winged adults, a strategy that has allowed for significant niche partitioning and specialization. The evolutionary success of Neoptera is attributed to their diverse feeding habits, reproductive strategies, and the adaptive advantage of wing folding.