True bugs (stink bugs, squash bugs, water striders and assassin bugs). Forewing is thickened into a hemelytra, with a leathery base Hemiptera and a membranous tip. Mouthparts for a long beak. Shield or triangular plate on thorax. Pin through the thorax, slightly right of the midline. Cicadas, planthoppers, aphids etc. Like the true bugs members of this order have mouthparts in the form of a slender beak. Unlike bugs, the head is wider than the thorax. Mount small Homoptera insects on points. Aphids and scale insects can be collected attached to their host plant. Larger insects can be pinned through the thorax, slightly to the right of the midline. Lacewings, dobsonflies, fishflies, antlions etc. Relatively large wings with numerous veins. Wings are held roof-like over the abdomen when Neuroptera at rest. Thorax is elongated resembling a long “neck”. Pin through the thorax, slightly to the right of the midline. If small place on points. Beetles (ladybugs, June beetles and fireflies) Forewings are hard, meeting in a straight line Coleoptera down the middle of the abdomen. The largest order of insects. Pin through right forewing about the distance back from where the wings attach. Siphonoptera Fleas. Mount on points or in alcohol. Flies. One pair of wings. Pin through the thorax, Diptera slightly to the right of the midline. Caddisflies. Collected at lights. Similar in appearance to moths except they have chewing Trichoptera mouthparts. Aquatic larvae are case-makers. Preserve in alcohol. Butterflies, moths and skippers. Often colorful and patterned wings with scales. Pin through the middle of thorax and spread wings on spreading board. Trailing edge of forewing must form a 90 degree angle with the body. Wait at least 3 days Lepidoptera before moving from board into insect box. I have further information on spreading butterflies and moths, ask me if you would like it. For your collections I will not be fussy about this but if you plan to keep your collection the proper procedures should be followed. Examples include ants, wasps and bees. Usually with two pairs of membranous wings that are coupled together (though some individuals are Hymenoptera wingless); wings contain few veins. May have a stinger: only females. Abdomen is pinched at the base where it connects to the thorax. Pin through the thorax slightly right of the midline.