Butterflies, crickets, moths and other insects

Butterflies that flutter, wasps that sting, ants that swarm, termites, mantids, grasshoppers, moths, crickets and much more. Learn more about this amazingly diverse group of animals who have adapted to almost every environment on the planet.

Explore the largest group of animals on Earth, all of which have exoskeletons and three body parts- head, thorax and abdomen, six jointed limbs and a pair of antennae. Insects comprise 75% of all catalogued animal species and their success is attributed to their ability to fly. Being the only invertebrate with wings, insects are able to seek out new environments and escape unsuitable ones.

Insects play an essential role in the web of life. Discover how the interaction between insects and plants plays a crucial role in pollination and learn why pollination by insects is important for the environment and us.

Many insects are predators, parasites or parasitoids, learn about the great diversity of hunting strategies and behaviours insects use to capture or feed on their prey. Invertebrate predators, parasites and parasitoids play an important role in keeping many animal populations under control.

Discover rare insects and find out that they aren't that "rare" at all. Entomologists, scientists who study insects, argue that it's just a matter of knowing how to find them!


The straight-winged insects, Order Orthoptera, and the skin-winged insects, Order Dermaptera.


The two-winged insects, Order Diptera; the toothed insects, Order Odonata; and the net-winged insects, Order Neuroptera.



Insect factsheets

196 Fact Sheets in this section

Collection information


Australian insects image gallery

There is a huge and varied range of insects found in Australia. View some of the more colourful or unusual ones here.



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