ECOS Guide to the Ecology of the Northern Rockies
 
   
 

Tips on using the key

What if I can’t see the characteristic described in the key? 

Some characteristics are difficult to see.  For example, you will be asked if your insect has 1 or 2 pairs of wings.  If you can’t tell for sure, look at the general body shape of your insect and pick the illustration that most closely matches your insect.

What if the key ends with an insect that doesn’t look like my insect? 

Insects are a large and diverse group of animals and it is difficult to capture that diversity in a single key.  If you are not sure that you’ve correctly identified your insect, read through the description of the insect as well as its habitat type. 

If it seems like it doesn’t fit, you may want to go back to the key.  It’s not necessary to completely start over!  At the top of each page of the key there is a record of each step you’ve gone through.  A descriptive key word for each page links back to that particular step.  Just go back to the step where you may have made an error or missed something.

If you still don’t think you’ve correctly identified your insect, you may have an insect that belongs to an order not included in this key.

Here are some other keys you may want to try:

Do I have to have my insect with me in order to identify it?  

Not necessarily.  When you go outside, bring a journal and record your observations.  The best characteristics to observe are general body shape of the insect (look at the three body parts and their shape and size), wing structure and shape, mouthparts (this is difficult to see but if the insect is  eating something you will have clues as to the type of mouthparts), where the insect is and what it is doing.  The more information you have, the more likely you will be able to correctly identify your insect. 

What do I do once I identify an insect?  

Once you know what insect order you have you can start learning about its lifestyle and behaviors.  Insects are fascinating creatures and will provide you with a lifetime of learning opportunities.

 
The ECOS program is sponsored by the University of Montana's Division of Biological Sciences, and the College of Forestry and Conservation. Carol Brewer Program Director, Division of Biological Sciences. Paul Alaback Program Co-Director, College of Forestry and Conservation.
NSF LogoECOS is supported by the GK-12 Program of the National Science Foundation.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.