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INSECTS

Insects are hexapod (3-part-body) invertebrates with an exoskeleton, three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes and a pair of antennae.

INSECTA

latin name

44.000+

species in South Africa

1.000.000

species worldwide

33

critically endangered

48

endangered

53

vulnerable

24

near threatened

958

least concern

Insects are the most diverse group within the animal kingdom. There is not an exact number on how many different species of insect there are worldwide, but estimates suggest that there are some 5 million different species in existence. Today, 1 million species worldwide have been recorded and described.

When it comes to South African insect species, it is also not clear on how many there are. Around 44.000 species have been identified. To put this number in perspective, there are around 65.000 different animal species described in South Africa. About 70% of all known animal species in South Africa are insects.

The most diverse insect orders, within the insect class, are the Hemiptera (true bugs), Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), Diptera (true flies), Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants) and Coleoptera (beetles). Insects from these groups are most likely to be encountered. But there are other, smaller groups that are noteworthy, such as the mantises, dragonflies and damselflies, grasshoppers and stick insects.


During summer, it is worth your time to take a minute and look at the flowers and foliage in, and around ponds and streams. You would be amazed about the diversity of shapes and colors these insects have.

Browse through some of the species you can find South Africa:

Aptera fusca

Cape Mountain Cockroach

Aptera fusca

Zographus oculator

Orangeye Longhorn Beetle

Zographus oculator

Anisorrhina algoensis

Epauletted Fruit Chafer

Anisorrhina algoensis

Pachylomera femoralis

Popeye Dung Beetle

Pachylomera femoralis

Anoplocnemis curvipes

Anoplocnemis curvipes

Anoplocnemis curvipes

Antestiopsis thunbergii

Antestia Bug

Antestiopsis thunbergii

Asota speciosa

Specious Tiger

Asota speciosa

Rhodogastria similis

Orange Tricolour Tiger Moth

Rhodogastria similis

Julodis viridipes

Julodis viridipes

Julodis viridipes

Aspidimorpha puncticosta

Dune Tortoise Beetle

Aspidimorpha puncticosta

Cheirolasia burkei

Cheirolasia burkei

Cheirolasia burkei

Rhabdotis aulica

Emerald Fruit Chafer

Rhabdotis aulica

Paropioxys jucundus

Mottled Avocado Bug

Paropioxys jucundus

Aspavia albidomaculata

Aspavia albidomaculata

Aspavia albidomaculata

Egybolis vaillantina

African Peach Moth

Egybolis vaillantina

Sphingomorpha chlorea

Sundowner Moth

Sphingomorpha chlorea

Prosopocera lactator

Turquoise Longhorn

Prosopocera lactator

Oenopia divergens

Smileyface Lady Beetle

Oenopia divergens

Dicronorhina derbyana

Derby's Flower Beetle

Dicronorhina derbyana

Trichostetha fascicularis

Green Protea Chafer

Trichostetha fascicularis

Eddara euchroma

Southern African Painted Snout Bug

Eddara euchroma

Amata kuhlweinii

Cool Hornet-moth

Amata kuhlweinii

Euchromia amoena

Pleasant Hornet Moth

Euchromia amoena

Thyretes hippotes

Equine Maiden

Thyretes hippotes

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