neopterans

Neopterans are a superorder of insects comprising the vast majority of winged insects. This group is characterized by a specific type of wing articulation, allowing for folding of the hindwings beneath the forewings. This ability to fold their wings is a defining feature that distinguishes them from their more ancient relatives, the palaeopterans, which include dragonflies and mayflies and cannot fold their wings.

The Neoptera are further divided into several infraclasses, most notably Holometabola, also known as the endopterygotes, and Hemimetabola, or exopterygotes. Holometabolous insects undergo complete metamorphosis, passing through distinct larval, pupal, and adult stages. Examples include beetles, butterflies, flies, and bees. Hemimetabolous insects, on the other hand, undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with young nymphs resembling smaller versions of the adults and gradually developing wings through successive molts. This group includes insects like grasshoppers, true bugs, and cockroaches. The evolutionary success of neopterans is largely attributed to their diverse feeding strategies, specialized mouthparts, and the ability to fold their wings, which offers protection and allows them to inhabit a wide range of ecological niches.